The Kings’ Messenger

Issue no. 109End of Summer Half TermMay 2013The Kings’ MessengerIntroducing our new Senior Team!Following a rigorous two month selection process involving a public vote, speech and formal interview,and after a nail-biting Easter waiting for the successful candidates to be revealed; the brand new SeniorStudent Team has been chosen!A position on the team comes with a great sense of both achievement and responsibility, and the twelve are takingtheir station seriously. They have already been busy developing a manifesto for their time in office includingencouraging participation in sport and introducing a foreign exchange programme for Sixth Formers. Head Girl,Jenny Wilson said, “The Senior Team is usually best known for their role in Charities Week, but we really want tobe remembered for enhancing the Academy itself.”It is an exciting time for these young people and, if their enthusiasm is anything to go by, we will definitely seesome fantastic stuff from them in the year to come! By Megan Haggerty, Rebecca Rowntree and Sarah TsoiSeen here now left to Right Back row - Jenny Wilson (Head Girl) and Tom Newton (Head Boy)Middle row (the Deputy Head Girls and Boys ) – Katie Davies, Harry Davies, Jenni Cox, Mollie Harvey, Elizabeth Wootton andJess Shiner Front row – Agnes Emeney, Rob Cornish, Will Jonas and Chelsie Bailey

Head’s-Up from Mr RichardsonHeadteacher, The Kings of Wessex AcademyDear Parents ,I am pleased to bring you this end of summerhalf term Kings’ Messenger newsletter, whichinevitably heralds the start of the summer exam season.Indeed, exams are on the cards for all year groupsthis term. Year 9 students have had their first experience ina formal exam hall setting with their internal exams and weawait the results with anticipation.Hence, it’s a busy time at Kings as the culmination ofdedicated work in lessons, Controlled Assessments, MentoringPlus meetings, extra sessions and latterly revision. Carefulconsideration has been given to study leave so that studentsbenefit from either extra time here in the Academy, orindependent home study leave. I wish all our young peopleevery success and hope they will achieve their personal bestand I thank all staff for their commitment and hard work.As a reward and antidote for students’ hardwork, there are special moments in store. We will be celebratingYear 13 in an assembly on Friday 24 May 2013,planned and delivered by the students themselves, which Iknow will be moving and memorable. The out-going SeniorTeam—whom you will see later in this edition presentingcheques to their chosen charities – are organising a ‘do’ forthe year group. Year 11 will also have their moment of gloryin an assembly on Monday 17 June 2013, before their Promat the Webbington Hotel the following TuesdayOn a positive note, further to elections last term I ampleased to announce that Mrs Alison Paterson has beenelected as Parent Governor and I know she will make avalued contribution to the work of our Governing Body.Ever keen to provide a conducive learning environmentfor our young people, I am delighted to reportthat our new windows and cladding to the main academybuilding is complete.In addition to extendingthe life of thisnearly 50 year oldbuilding, it isnow more energyefficient andsustainable.I have furthergood news!We have recentlybeen successfulin a bid foradditionalGovernmentfunding tocomplete Phase2 to updateScience andDesign Technology.Work beginslater this term tobe ready inSeptember.Mindful of September, the Induction Day forthose Year 11 students due to return to the SixthForm is coming up next half term on Thursday 20June 2013. With exams out of the way and the summerahead of them, I know that this will be a lovelyday for students and a reminder of all that awaits inthe Sixth Form.At the time of writing, our Year 10 studentsare out and about on their Key Skills Dayon Thursday 16 May 2013 in preparation for theirWork Experience week in June both organised byCareers Adviser Dr Hall. Students are encouragedto engage fully in teamwork, and problem-solving,communication and thinking skills activities.Enrichment activities have continued toplay a purposeful part this half term.. OurMusicians put on a spectacular performance for theSummer Serenade concert with a range of pieces,along with AS Level Drama Group Performances,trips and visits - and Duke of Edinburgh expeditionswill also be setting off in earnest. Do check next halfterm’s calendar — as you will see there is muchmore coming soon!So, finally, I thank you for your support this halfterm and wish you and your family a happy holiday.Yours sincerely,CHRIS RICHARDSONHeadteacherA Reminder!We return for thesecond half of theSummer Term onMonday 3June 2013(Week A)ContentsFront Page 1Head’s Up 2Special Achievements 3Changes afoot in Maths for Years 9 and 10 4Twittering about Exams 4Operation Wallacea 4BBC School Report 5The Kings’ Art 6-8Summer Serenade 9Cheddar Arts@ Kings Theatre 9Across the pond to New York! 10-11Year 12 Geography Fieldtrip to Slapton 12-13The Poignant Pilgrimage to Poland 14-15Exciting and Exhilarating Designs à Paris 16Out with the Old and on with the New 16Serious Science on EDF Energy Residential 17The Re-Launch of Platform Magazine 18The 10-minute Interview 18Ascension Day at St Andrew’s Church 19Students taste of after dinner speaking 20Learning Resource News 20Students hand over the cash! 21Thank you from the Green Team 21Kings and Queens Sports’ Scores 22-23Prickles Hedgehog Rescue 24Contact Alert ! 24

End of Summer Half Term Roll of HonourSpecial Achievement Awards: Celebrating our students for good work and duties to the Academy.Thank you and congratulations!BRONZE(15 merits)Callum Bashford 9LDSamara Crane 9LDSamuel Fountain 9EMElla Morris 9LDMatthew Pridgeon 9ACDennis Weir 9NAAdam Chillingworth 10AHSILVER(30 Merits)Florence Adams 9SPJames Archer 9ZBDaniel Arnison 9SPJoshua Bates 9RHJames Bayliss 9RHJessica Blacklock 9RHMichael Bugler 9MGElijah Clements 9EMEmily Cotton 9NASebastian Curtis 9NASophie Davis 9EMGeorge Dearsley 9MGHarry Dodd 9SPFreddie Dolcezza 9MGAdam Dover 9EMAnnabelle Drennan 9RHRobert Hall 9VWRebecca Hawkins 9RHVictoria Hayzer 9RHCatherine Hounsell 9RHCasey House 9NATimothy Jacobs 9VWDaniella James 9ZBJacques Luckins 9NAFreya Maguire 9ASAndrew Martin 9EMCallum McGreavy 9RHCameron McQuarrie 9RHJade Midgley 9EMEllisha Miles 9ZBJames Morten 9MGAmelia Nardiello 9ACHarriet Newton 9SPMorgan Orme 9LDBrandon Pettitt 9VWJoanna Reeves 9ACMiles Richardson 9VWAlexander Ross 9LDGeorgie Seymour 9NAGabriella Siangolis 9VWLydia Stock 9ZBJessie Svensson 9MGJoshua Sweet 9RHRobert Taylor 9ASAlice Thompson 9ASHannah Tilling 9LDJasmine Virgo 9ZBBen Walker 9MGTimothy Weigold 9MGFinley Wilkinson 9NACameron Willies 9EMChloe Wilson 9VWGOLD(50 Merits)Lucy Abbott 9ACRebecca Angliss 9ZBJack Bardle 9ZBMarc Beacom 9NAAlissa Bedford 9NAHannah Bird 9VWRoisin Blewitt 9EMGabriella Burgess 9MGEllie Cahill 9VWBethany Campbell 9SPKirstie Clarke 9MGCharlotte Collins 9ASAshleigh Crossland 9ACRebecca Davenport 9NAPriddy-Rose Ebert-Rossiter 9NACameron Frayne 9RHJack Goodall 9EMGrace Hathway 9ACRyan Hole 9VWBethany Hooper 9MGJoshua Hughes 9LDThomas Hughes 9ACJoshua Hunt 9ZBGrace Hunter 9ACJack Hutchison 9SPEmily Hutton 9LDJamie Huxtable 9MGToby Jones 9LDDaniel Legg 9ASGuy Locke 9ASHarry Maund 9RHAbigail Morgan 9RHJessica Nothard 9SPCharlie Osborne 9ACBethany Pascoe 9ZBBethany Perrins 9ASLouisa Powell 9SPGeorge Prewett 9MGKieran Richards 9ASCallum Scott 9ACJoshua Skyrme 9MGBenjamin Smith 9NAJohn Stamatis 9NAPaige Stanley 9SPWilliam Thorne 9ASJasmin Tovey 9SPCharlotte Tugwell 9VWLucy Turner 9LDPatrick Turner 9ASAaron Voit 9ACMichael Watford 9EMDOUBLE GOLD(75 Merits)Izaak Bailey 9EMStion Billington-Drew 9MGZoe Frost 9NAHeather Hemingway-Arnold 9EMAlice Low 9ASPhoebe Lynch 9ZBJoshua Pascoe 9ASJessica Peever 9LDJessica Watson 9LDToby Woodroffe 9VWKatie Chapman 10LJMolly Coath 10DPWThomas Jones 10DPWOliver Nicholls 10AHKataleana Rooney 10AHLauren Smart 10LJSaffron Thomas-Wheway 10SAPLATINUM(100 Merits)Rebecca Davies 9ASSpecial Congratulations toall students and especiallyour trio here who are ashining example in achievingDOUBLE PLATINUM(150 Merits)Eleni Georgiou 10TSFelix Grandfield 10DPWDilkaren Kaur 10KSStudents are awardedSpecial Achievements forgood work and deeds.We are looking forward to theend of Summer TermAchievement Assembly on thelast day of term,Friday 19 July 2013 whenstudents will also berecognised for theiraccomplishments in subjects,enrichment activities andother awards.Celebrating achievement is animportant part of Kings!STOP PRESS!Following the currentselection process, we will beannouncing in the JulyKings’ Messenger the newteam of Year 9Ambassadors, who will joinranks with the existingYears 10 and 11 Teams.Our Ambassadors play avalued part in the life of theAcademy in thisleadership role.An (early)celebratoryDiary Date!This year’s annualAwards Evening will beheld on Thursday 12September 2013 at 7pmin the Kings Fitness andLeisure Sports HallAwards winners willreceive an individualwritten invitation toattend.

Changes afoot in Maths for Years 9 and 10We are pleased to announce an exciting change to whenstudents in our current Years 9 and 10 will take theirGCSE Maths exams.Current Year 9 students will be taking their GCSE Maths for thefirst time in Year 10 this November, which will provide them withthe opportunity to obtain a Grade C or higher earlier than planned.This will allow them to then focus on the highest available gradesduring the rest of Year 10 and Year 11. It will also give students theopportunity to have up to three more opportunities to take their importantGCSE Maths exam before the end of Year 11 and allow themost able in the year to start working on Maths to support their A-Level studies.The current Year 10 will take the exam in November of Year 11 then again in the summer of Year 11.After each exam students will be given a GCSE Maths certificate and they can then keep the highest gradethey achieve in any of the exams.For the current Years 9 and 10 students Maths lessons will now focus on making sure students are preparedfor the first exam this November. Revision material will also be available from the beginning of the nextacademic year to support students’ learning at home. By Mr Carey, Subject Leader for MathsTwittering about ExamsMore technological advancements at Kings!The Exams Office has created aTwitter account @KoWExamsVIThis will be used by teachers to broadcastexam notices/messages and last minuteexams tips in no more than 140 charactersto our students in Years 12 and 13 whilst they are onstudy leave.Tweeted by Mr D White, Student Progress LeaderFundraising is underway for Year 12Biologists to finance their once in alifetime trip to Honduras in SouthAmerica for two weeks in July 2014with Operation Wallacea, biodiversityand conservation network. The studentswill be carrying out conservation workin the rainforest for the first week beforesurveying coral reefs and aquaticspecies whilst scuba diving andsnorkelling in the second.Part of the group (seen here—with Harryas a helper) raised money by sellingcakes and chocolates at last term’sacademy production of “Hairspray".The students must raise a total of £2,750each and are undertaking variousfundraising methods, including bagpacking in supermarkets and othersponsored events over the year.Fundraising is in its early stages, but if you would like to make a donation,we will gladly accept! Our fundraising group email isTheBiologists@hotmail.co.ukBy Fabian Bowes-Richley

BBC School Report Live from KingsAs reported in the previous Kings’ Messenger, last month, six Year 9 Kings andQueens News Team journalists represented the Academy in this year’s BBCSchool Report national news day for students aged between 11-16 years.The team’s chosen topic was a local story on the proposed Cheddar Reservoir Two andthey interviewed a number of key people on their views, including Mr Paul Hodgesfrom Bristol Water, Mr Peter Lythgoe the Chair of Governors, Miss Graffagnino andMr Davies, Heads of Geography and Biology at Kings, Mr Ian Laken, the Mayor ofAxbridge, Mrs Lyn Goodfellow, Chair of the Cheddar Parish Council and finally, Mrs TerryKing, a resident of Cheddar since the 1920’s who remembered the construction of the existing reservoir.On an aptly rainy day, the Team gathered the views on whether a second reservoir at Cheddar was a good or badidea. The interviews were conducted live on camera and then edited by the team to create the final 25-minutepiece, which is now on the BBC website and the academy website at http://www.kowessex.co.uk/swnews/newsreport.php. The six concluded the report by forming an opinion line to show their own opinions on theproposed second reservoir.Headteacher Chris Richardson said: “I am very proud of our students for their interesting and intelligent newsstory for this year’s BBC School Report, which gave them a taste of broadcasting. I also thank those members ofour community who helped us with this exciting project.”Here they are now! Left to right: Katie Caddell, Emma Treharne, Chloe Wilson, Phoebe Lynch, Megan Pinn and Beth HooperWell done girls! Ms Owens and reported here by Beth Hooper.

Exams: We are now at the end of the exam season and students have produced some really great work.The Year 11 GCSE exam was 10 hours long, the AS Level five hours and A2 Level 15 hours long!!Here’s a taster now of some of the A2 Level exam work from Art, Textiles and Photography. Well done to all our students!Bryony Stevens Young Eve Heaslip Emma RaynerLucy RatcliffeBen FowlerOlivia JonesLucy FearMolly Humphrey

Photography Club: Year 9 students have been attending A5 on Friday lunchtimes to take part in aPhotography Club where they develop their photography skills using traditional and digital processes.They have opportunity to use the infinity studio curve and lighting, the darkroom to create photograms andenlargement prints and use the Mac computers to edit their digital images.New LogoCompetition:All students areinvited to design anew logo for theKings’ ArtDepartment(see the current one hereat the top left page).All designs should beon A4, and entriesneed to be submittedby Friday 7 June2013.For more details,see Ms Weaving inA2.Students see the Light: Photography students have an exciting new toolfor their art lessons thanks to a donation from the Parent Teachers Association.Following a wish listrequest, the newlyacquired light box is afantastic new tool fordesign work to createillustrations forprojects.Students are able totrace from their ownphotos and learn howto flip, rotate andreverse images asinspired by famousartists Escher andDaniel Changcurrently studied inYear 10.PTA funds areraised fromour parents’Enrichment Funddonations, andvarious fundraisingat academyevents.Subject Leader for Art Ms Weaving said: “We are very grateful to our PTA for theirgenerous donation that will greatly enhance the learning and aspirations of our Art students to develop theirwork.”

Art Report by Ms R Weaving, Subject Leader for Art and invitation artwork by Miss M Hasemore

Summer Serenade on some enchanted evening...On Wednesday 8 May 2013 students and parents enjoyed anevening of music at the Department’s ‘Summer Serenade’ concert.The evening began with the energetic brass group playing exciting pieces offilm music, including favourites from “Indiana Jones” and “Pirates ofthe Caribbean”. There were excellent solo and ensemble performances byYear 10 students: including Charlie Draper, Eddie Williams, Issy Pritchardand Izzy Paterson. Holly Simpson performed her own composition, whilstthe chamber choir received excellent feedback for their performances of‘Rhythm of Life’ and ‘Run’.The evening ended with a bang with Harry Bishop playing a solo in theBig Band piece ‘Cry me a River’.It was a wonderful evening and I thank all our musicians for theirstirring performances and to our parents for their support.Here are some of our students now in rehearsals.Directed by Mrs L Davies, Subject Leader for MusicCheddar Arts@Kings Theatre 2013 Summer SeasonComing Soon Events:An Evening with Gordon Giltrap (live event)Saturday 22 June 2013 at 6.45 for 7.30pm start (Tickets: £10)"Anyone who asks me knows, that I think that Gordon Giltrap is one of the best acousticguitar players in the world." Ritchie Blackmore from 'Deep Purple'Lincoln (12A) (film night)Wednesday 10 July 2013 at 6.45 for 7.30pm start (Tickets: £5.50 / £4.50 conc)Oscar winning historical drama about the assassinated American President starringDaniel Day Lewis and Sally Field.For more details of all our events...see www.kowessex.co.uk/cheddarArts/

Across the pond to New York!Last term, 26 Sixth Form students and three teachers boarded a plane to fly out to New YorkCity. When we touched down in the JFK Airport, we learnt just how lucky we were, becausewe were the only flight to make it out of Heathrow airport; all the other flights had been cancelleddue to snow. When we got outside, we saw why. It was a beautifully sunny day, but itwas snowing heavily, and by the time we were through Immigration there was at least a footof the stuff. Anyway, we boarded a coach and set off to our hotel, spotting en route over 20American flags hoisted up in various places.Once we’d arrived at the hotel and unloaded our luggage, we all went out to explore themany streets of New York. We stopped off in Starbucks and the Apple store along the way,tasting real American coffee and playing around with the various Apple products that wereon display: iPads, iPods, Macs, you name it. If Apple had made something, you couldprobably find it here. After about half an hour we headed outside and split up into groupsto find a place to eat, the majority of us choosing McDonalds, for there were many to befound. After we had all assembled, we all took the long walk back to the hotel, where weslept like logs: although fun, it was a long day.Next morning, we were up at 7:00, which didn’tsit too well with most of us. However, we had along day ahead of us, so we needed the earlystart. We had our breakfast in a charminglittle cafe, only a two minute walk away fromour hotel, where they had probably the bestCinnamon Danish I’d had in my life. 40-minutes later, we left and made our way to ournext destination: the Empire State Building, theex-tallest building in the world.When we got there, we all split up into ourgroups, where we then took three lifts up, andup, and up, and up, and up (it was a long wayup). Along the way, I bought a map of the top ofthe building, which showed all of the sights youcould see around.

Shortly afterwards, we were at the top, and yes - it was it a long way down. Wewere at the top of a 1250-foot building, we knew, but it still surprised us to seejust how high up in the world we were. Later on, we took a cruise aroundEllis Island, famous for holding theImmigrationMuseum, as well asLiberty Island, siteof the iconicStatue of Liberty;seeing it up closewas staggering.The original planwas to go ontoEllis Island, butthe aftermath ofHurricane Sandy ruled this out.Instead, we went on a pleasant cruise and afterwards, wehad lunch in Battery Park, before moving on to what wasprobably the most sombre part of the trip: the site of theTwin Towers and the World Trade Centre. The location ofthe original towers was now marked by two large, squareholes, with water pouring out of the walls. Around the edgeof these holes, two squareplatforms bore the names of all those who died in the 911 attacks. It made for depressing reading.The following day, after breakfast, we set off for the Museum of Natural History. This really was awesome. The sheernumber of things that were held there was amazing: dinosaurs, gems and minerals, mammals and outer spaceexhibits. The only downfall was the lack of an Ancient Egyptian hall, (as seen in Night at the Museum, filmed here),but everything else was just great. We then walked through Central Park to the Guggenheim Art Museum; with all thesnow around, the park looked very pretty. Guggenheim, however, proved to be the most disappointing part of the trip.For one thing, a member of staff was really rude and spoke out of order to one of the teachers, and for another thing, alot of the museum was closed for reconstruction.The evening cheered us all up, however. We all headed to Times Square, where we went to the cinema. We had achoice of three films - Lincoln, Life of Pi, and Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters - and we had to decide who wouldsee what film. Once in our groups, we went to find dinner. My group went for the easy option (McDonalds), wanderedaround some shops for a bit and then we headed back to the cinema to watch Hansel and Gretel. We were allin agreement that it was a really, really awful film, but we enjoyed it a lot; it was a perfect example of dumb fun.The next day we went to the Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees baseball team. Even though baseballisn’t a big sport in the UK, the tour of the stadium and museum was really interesting.Later, we split up into groups and hadthree hours to explore the streets ofNew York, to shop and see thesights. After we made our way toEllen’s Stardust Diner. It was a perfectlynormal diner except for onething: the waiters and waitresseswalked around the diner singing tothe customers. It was probably thebest part of the trip; it was so muchfun. The food was very nice, but thesinging was superb, and everyonehad a really great time, we laughed,we applauded and we all had a ball.The final day, after our last breakfastin New York, we made our way tothe Museum of Modern Art. Probablythe best part was seeing two of themost famous paintings in the world:The Scream by Edvard Munch andThe Starry Night by Vincent VanGogh (an artist and painting featuredin an episode of Doctor Who, soobviously important!). Almost everyonewith an interest in art knew about these paintings, and seeing them up close was really amazing. Then, we made ourway back to the hotel to pick up our luggage, before heading to JFK Airport. A technical hitch delayed us from gettingon the plane, but after that it was all plane sailing (hah, see what I did there?). So, that was my trip to New York.Easily the best trip I’ve been on and probably my favourite holiday yet. I highly recommend it. Report by Greg Tyrrell

Year 12 Geography Fieldtrip to Slapton, DevonAt the end of March, 34 Year 12Geography students set off to theField Studies Centre in Slapton,Devon for a three-day residentialorganised to equip themwith the necessary fieldworkskills required for their Unit 2exam that they will shortly besitting this May.The first day was spent inPlymouth where students usedfieldwork observations toresearch housing and serviceprovision in three separate areas,and secondary data on ethnicity,age structure and employment tobuild up a detailed understandingof this environment and howpopulation change has impactedon the area. Students then returnedto the Field Studies Centre for a homecookedcurry and a follow-up session using an impressive Geographical InformationSystem to analyse their results.The next day, a cooked breakfast was followed by an hour’s briefing on how to carry out an investigation on changingchannel characteristics with distance downstream on the River Harbourne. Wellies and waterproofs went on readyfor a day in the field.The group headed toDartmoor NationalPark where studentsmeasured changingcharacteristicsdownstream andinvestigated theflood risk andmanagement of theRiver Harbourne.Although theweather was on ourside, the boggyfloodplain was not,with a few welliesgetting stuck in themud.Continuing thewatery theme, theGeographyDepartment also arrangedfor Bristol Water to come and speak to some GCSE classes about theproposed Cheddar Reservoir Two. A lunchtime drop-in session was available for allstudents to ask questions, and raised a lot of interest andopinion on the impacts it will bring to Cheddar. It wasalso chosen to be the focus for The Kings and QueensNews Team 2013 BBC School Report.Dr Andrew Newton also visited to speak to Geography A-Level classes about contrasting healthcare systems in theUK and India. Dr Newton has spent a lot of time in Indiaand shared some very thought-provoking images on itsquality of life. Students were gripped by his fascinatinginsights and it provided a detailed case study in preparationfor their exam topic “Health Issues”. Thank you fromus all to Dr Newton for his time and insights!

A Case Study of Bristol HarboursideIn April, Year 13 Geographers spent a day touring Bristol Harbourside.As part of the A-Level course students study a WorldCities Unit, and Bristol is a classic case study to demonstratehow a previously industrial city can regenerate areas sufferingfrom urban decline. Students spent the day completing sustainabilityaudits at certain redevelopment projects and even enjoyeda guided ferry tour of the floating harbour.Students were looking at the redevelopment of the Harboursidesince its closure and subsequent decline in the 1960s. Time wasspent accessing the success of the @Bristol complex and thenumerous housing, recreational and office regenerationprojects. Students also explored the new industrial museum toseek out Bristol’s history and they discovered how the Harboursidedeveloped.MoreRiverStudies...150 Year 10Geographystudentsrecently headedto the Quantockscollect data fromthe River Kilve tocomplete theirControlledAssessment onwhether the crossprofile of a river changes downstream.The students worked in groups of four tocollect their data along the river headingfrom the source to the mouth at KilveBeach (seen here now).Report by Miss M Graffagnino, Subject Leader for Geography

The Poignant Pilgrimage to PolandFor the fourth consecutive year the R.E. Department visited Krakow in Poland in March.As to be expected, this was an emotional and eventful trip recounting the steps of the Polish people, Jews,Slavs, Political activists, Gypsies or Homosexuals who had been shown prejudice and discrimination bythe Nazi regime.73 Year 10 students travelled to Poland and visited areas of Krakow,which had been used in the filming of “Schindler’s List”. They walkedin the footsteps of the persecuted, who had been forced to move fromthe beauty of Krakow to the ghetto slum of Podgorze before laterdeported to various concentration and death camps, the biggest beingAuschwitz and Birkenau.

Students had a guided tour of the religious andhistorical sites, with the added privilege of meetinga Holocaust survivor, who shared the harrowingstory of her capture and survival as a threeyear-oldJewish girl and finally, her remarkableliberation from Auschwitz, Birkenau. She talkedabout her subsequent adoption and the one in amillion chance of being reunited with her biologicalmother when she was aged twenty-one.Students also visited the famous Oscar Schindler’sfactory, which has now been transformed into amuseum, “an ambitious, multimedia evocation ofKrakow’s experience under Nazi occupation from1939-1945. The museum uses Schindler’s famousstory as a springboard to recount a broader narrativethat encompasses oppression and resilience,heroism and deceit” (Global New York Times).Students also visited the Wieliczka Salt Mines toexplore the underground chambers, chapels withsalt sculptures and salt lakes.By Mrs L Jory, Subject Leader for R.E. and special thanks to Rev. John Angle for the photos.

Exciting and Exhilarating Designs à Paris40 Year 9 students and Teachers tried out some exciting designs on a Design Technology trip toDisneyland Paris last term. The adventure began with the journey to Paris, after which the students sampledsome of the adrenalin-packed rides, including the Aerosmith Rock and Roll rollercoaster, neon-lightedSpace Mountain and the famous Tower of Terror. Both students and teachers alike could be heard screamingfrom miles around.The group stayed in Disney’s hotel resort, Hotel Cheyenne, a Wild-West themed village complete with cowboy lampsand wooden bunk beds. During the visit the students attended lectures on how Disney designs the rides, the computertechnology behind the rides and even had opportunity to work in groups to design a rollercoaster and its surroundings.There was also time to buy Disney souvenirs.The students all enjoyed this exciting and exhilarating trip and are grateful to the teachers for their organisation.By Katie Caddell and Emma Treharne, The Kings and Queens News TeamOut with the Old and on with the New by Phoebe Lynch, The Kings and Queens News TeamAfter months of work during some challenging wintery conditions, we now have a new, stylish look to the main building.The original building was built in the 1960's and was "well past its sell-by date!" reports Bursar Chris Brown. The refurbishmentof new windows and cladding undertaken by Contractors Beard Construction based in Swindon has given anew lease of life and should extend its life by 50 years as a more energy efficient and sustainable building.The building's design of patchwork grey blocks has transported it to the modern day as an eye-catching and purposefulbuilding with the 'Wow Factor'. The choice of grey was chosen to reflect Cheddar Gorge and blends in with thesurrounding buildings to show the transition between old and new.(See Mr Richardson’s comments and more good news in his Head's Up...)

Serious Science on EDF Energy ResidentialOver the Easter holidays a group of Year 9 students went ona Science course at Exeter University run by EDF andthe Smallpiece Trust.The aim of the course was to develop understanding ofnuclear power and various renewable resources. By theend of the course the working groups had developedtheir ideal energy mix, which was presented to EDFVIPs.Over the four days we met new friends and learned aboutprotocols and equipment used in real power stations. On thefirst day we were put into groups and began the firstchallenge - breaking the ice! As a group we had to design andmake a durable shelter, made only from paper and safety pins.The structure had to support a 2kg weight and fit two teammembers inside. Some were spectacular and others failed in asimilarly spectacular manner. That evening we used theExeter University sports hall to have a bit of a kick around.The next morning after a full breakfast we began our energymix discussions. There were debates, arguments and heatedconversations, but soon the teams had the perfect combinations.The next task was to create a pipeline around a cardboard powerstation avoiding various hazards. Some pipes disintegrated andcollapsed, and very few managed the task without a leak. Thatevening we enjoyed watching the recent Bond film “Skyfall” inthe lecture theatre.On the third day we had to develop our energy mix presentations- and then there were yet more practical activities! Some groups wereposed with the task of fixing a leak within a box using a cameraand a spanner, other had to make a bridge out of paper to supportthe largest weight. No one actually managed to fix the leak, so welet the EDF experts show us how it was done.On the final eveningthere was a fabulousformal dinner, followedby a course disco!On the final morning wehad to present ourenergy mixes to a panelof EDF VIPs, aftersome coaching onpresentations skills.Afterwards, awardswere given and then itwas time to say goodbyeto the new friendswe had made over thefour days.The course was funand informative andhas given us a newperspective on what itwould be like to workin Science andMechanics, and haspersuaded some of us tolook further into this career path. It alsoallowed us to meet new friends and develop our teamwork skills. It was a brilliant weekand we would recommend it to other years given the opportunity. The accommodation and facilities at the universityalso gave us a taste of university life. It was an amazing experience and we would definitely go again!By Our Year 9 Scientists Molly Brown, Georges Chabbert, James Morten, Hannah Tilling and Dennis Weir

Hold the front pagefor the re-launch ofPlatformMagazine!The exciting re-launch of theAcademy’s new and improvedPlatform arts magazine isdrawing close onWednesday 19 June 2013.The team of students leading themagazine have been busy collectingthe great talents of all year groupsto compile a mixture of artwork,Textiles and Photography, poetry and short stories together in a wonderfulpocket-sized booklet. The front cover of the magazine seen here is graced by the beautiful artwork of Rosie Best inYear 12, whose AS Level Art final piece was selected over many other deserving candidates.The Platform team would like to thank everyone who submitted their work for the magazine and as a final messageto all years they’d like to say – KEEP CREATIVE KINGS!Watch out on the website for more information! By Lorna Mortimer, The Kings an Queens News TeamTime for the 10 Minute Interview:Emma Treharne of The Kings and Queens News Team set her watch for an interview withTeacher of History Mr Targett, who is due to retire from Kings after an epic 36 years’ service.This is what she found out in 10 minutes...Question 1: Why did you decide to become a teacher?I was taught well at my school in Bristol and enjoyed the lessons.Question 2: Why did you choose History as a subject?It was my favourite subject, I particularly enjoy readingbiographies. I got into History aged 10-11, when I read allthe Sherlock Holmes books in the Public Library. The biographysection was next to the fiction section. I saw a bookon Asquith and he dressed similarly to Sherlock, so I tookthe book out.Question 3: What is the best bit of being a teacher?I enjoy being in the classroom and the practical teaching.Question 4: What is your least favourite part of teaching?I dislike admin, form-filling and marking!Question 5: How has the school changed since you havebeen teaching here?I started teaching in Kings in 1977. We have recently had arefit, and since 1977 all the classrooms have changed position- the History classrooms used to be the Maths classrooms! There also used to be lots of temporary classrooms for History,Geography, R.E. and Languages and only one computer in the whole school - it was kept in the History office and tookup half the room!Question 6: Do you have any interesting hobbies?I am interested in family history, and I am a fairly good cook, in particular main courses. I also have an interest in railways- I was a station master in Washford station for a while, I am hoping to do this more after I retire.Question 7: So...are there any skeletons in your closet?Literally, yes. In 1997 HTV (now known as ITV) contacted me to film part of a series of archaeology programmes in theWest, in particular Cheddar. They did a piece on the Cheddar Man, and as part of the programme they took some DNAswabs from a few of the local children and myself to see if it matched the DNA of the Cheddar Man. We got the results infront of two film crews in a Science lab and the narrator said, “We have one direct match,” before turning around andsaying “And, it’s you!” I was on quite a few programmes because of this link and even made the Guinness Book of WorldRecords in 1998.

Students taste of after dinner speakingOn Monday 22 April 2013, Year 12 student RachelStean took part in the after dinner speakingcompetition The Gabblers Club in theGrand Final banquet at The Bristol Hotelin the presence of the Lord Mayor ofBristol, Councillor Peter Main.After a three course dinner, the audienceenjoyed speeches from this year’s seventeenGabblers, representing schools inand around Bristol.Speech titles ranged from “Against allOdds” and “A glass half full” to “Last oneStanding” and “Hot Air”. Rachel had thedifficult task of making the first speech ofthe night, entitled “The Final Countdown”.The Gabbler of the Year was TravisAlabanza-Béhard from St Mary Redcliffeand Temple School who spoke on the titleof “Loose Ends”.Commenting on the evening HeadteacherMr Richardson said: “I was very pleased toattend the 26 th Grand Final of the Gabblerscompetition. Rachel’s speech was engagingand entertaining, and stood out in a highcalibre competition”.By Rebecca Rowntree,The Kings and Queens News Team(and 2012 third place Gabbler)Here is Rachel now with Headteacher ChrisRichardson and Head of Sixth Form Steve GreenLearning Resource Centre NewsChess Challenge: The Chess Challenge has now ended, and seven studentswill be going through to the next round to be held at MillfieldSchool on Sunday 19 May 2013.Our overall winner was Angus Cumberlidge. Well done Angus and goodluck to all chess players for the next round!Books: If there is a particular book you wish to read which we do not currently have in the LRC, do ask me, and Iwill get it for you.Stationery supplies: We sell all your stationery needs - paper, folders, pens, memory sticks, plastic wallets, calculators,protractors. Everything you need to help you through your school day.Books: Don’t forget— if you have too many books at home, and need to make somespace for new ones, please think of the LRC before throwing away. I am looking forbooks for our new reading scheme, but all donations will be gratefully received.Thank you!Box Tops for Books: We are still collecting the tokens from the tops of Nestlé cereals.Please drop them into the LRC. Thank you to those who have already dropped somenice amount again this year.off, we are collecting aWindow: I would like to draw your attention to the LRC display window, which you will see has some of thenew books in it. So—if you’d like to read any, come and ask me. By Mrs B Knutson, LRC Manager

Students hand over the cash!Counting is over following this year’s medieval-themed Charities Week last December led by the SeniorStudent Team. Over £10,000 was raised and the cheques were presented in a recent Sixth Form assemblyto the three nominated charities, with each receiving over £3,000.Colin Thompson and Dave Bowling from local charityDorset and Somerset Air Ambulance thanked students for helping their continued emergency work in thearea; Jane Smith from national charity Anorexia Bulimia Care (ABC) informed students that their donationwill be used to set up an online help facility; and Naftali Onchere from international charity Mend the Gapenthused about the money being spent to equip ten new schools in Kenya.The money raised is a tribute to the success of another successful Charities Week where students and staffjoined together to enjoy traditional Kings’ activities – including the gunge tank, as well as the not so deliciousmedieval pie-eating, jousting, egg throwing, “Would I lie to you” teacher quiz, autograph auction, medievalfayre and famous ‘Rock ’n’ Roll Years’ concert.The outgoing team thank all their fellow students, staff and parents for their participation in the fun fundraising,which is a special part of life at Kings.Fundraising by our students has continued this year with £2,000 raised for Comic Relief in March, and more recently£1,700 for Weston Hospicecare in memory of Jennifer Kirkup, wife of Governor Brian Kirkup.And thank you from the Green Team who thank all parentsand staff who donated their unwanted mobile phones. We raised a total of £103, which will go a longway towards our Green Campaigns in the Academy. The first project being undertaken this term is the Green ClassroomCampaign, which is to encourage teachers to make their classrooms into environmentally friendly spaces withimproved recycling facilities, re-using materials and even adding some CO 2 – using plant life.Thank you for your support, Miss A Stones, Teacher of Science

Kings and Queens Sports’ ScoresThe P.E. Department are preparing the track, smoothing the long jump and sharpening thejavelin for the summer season of sports. More to follow in the July Kings’ Messenger...Sporting Heroes:Year 11 rugby boys Josh Daly(Centre) and Tom Cooksey(Vice Captain) were recentlychosen to represent the Under-16s Barbarians Team (a.k.a.Scoop's Troops) againstBristol County in a pre-matchbefore the Bristol Legendscharity match in honour of alate Bristol Rugby player.The annual Cecil Grant Memorialmatch involves players fromacross the Bristol Combinationwho meet to celebrate the life ofthe popular former St Mary's andSouthmead winger, who tragicallylost his life in 2006 aged 42.Bristol opened their account after nine minutes, but the Scoop’s Troops began tofind their rhythm with No 8 Tom and Centre Josh becoming increasingly involved. Although outgunned in theend by Bristol County's firepower in an entertaining contest, Scoop’s Troops battled bravely until the finalwhistle, with Josh scoring a great try. Final score 31-19.With thanks to www.johnwhitemedia.co.uk for this action photo.Sporting Heroines:Now—from Rugby to Hockey, and following on from the County Cup victory of theYear 10 girls, as reported in the end of Spring Term newsletter, congratulations toYear 10 student Lindsay Rogers who was recently selected for the SouthWest of England Hockey trials - for the third time! Well done Lindsay!

Congratulations to Year 10 student RebeccaIngoldsby who has qualified in the British YouthFencing Championships, a national competition,recently held in the English Institute of Sport inSheffield.Rebecca was participating in the U16 Sabre eventhaving successfully qualified in January for thiscompetition by coming second in the South Westregion (four from each region qualify).There were a total of 37 fencers participating fromall over the UK - Rebecca fenced really well andended up 7th overall.As one of the top eight, Rebecca received a medal,certificate and pre-qualified for next year's competition.We wish Rebecca every continued success!On a competitive note with a design twist,Star Designer James Whitrowin Year 9 proved that it is always worth trying...From a total of 200 entries James beat other young designersin a competition to design the new logo for Axe-Vale Coaches, competing with fellow Kings classmatesand other students from Churchill Academy, Worle School, Hans Price, Sidcot, Priory and BroadoakSchools.Axe-Vale had initially considered approaching a design company, but decided to make it a competitionfor students in local schools. They chose James’ design as it is “completely different”: as a clean, bolddesign that combines both country and town and stands out with strong visual impact,James planned his design by a mental mind image and then worked it up on the computer. The font isaptly called IMPACT and James liked the striking blue colour as it is fresh and modern, and reminiscentof the countryside. For his winning design, James has won an iPad, and at this stage in his educationhe is considering a career in ICT.Axe-Vale is a local familybusiness operating since1977 providing schools andtrips coach transport.Directors Colin Bailey andJohn Bailey (seen here inthe photo with James andMr Batchelor) are bothformer Kings students!Axe-Vale intend to use thelogo for the foreseeablefuture. Waymouth Signsmade the vinyl transferand owner GaryWaymouth is also aformer Kings student!Subject Leader forDesign TechnologyJohn Batchelor said:“We are grateful toAxe-Vale for this designcompetition, which reallyencouraged our students tostrive to succeed in the realworld and showed our young people thatit is always worth having a go: well done to James!”

SPECIAL REPORT: Prickles Hedgehog RescueSeveral Kings students have been helping to protect a local endangered speciesby volunteering at Prickles Hedgehog Rescue here inCheddar. Recently, Rosie Freemantle has been promotedto a team leader and Year 9 student JazzTovey is heading up the Junior Fundraising Team,Hoglets.Prickles Hedgehog Rescue was founded in 2007 toprovide emergency and on-going care to sick andinjured hedgehogs. The journey began with one hedgehogcalled Muffin and this winter Prickles has cared forover 150 hogs - that were either too poorly or not heavyenough to survive hibernation.The charity is run entirely by volunteers aged 14+ and relieson the generosity of the public and local companies tofeed and care for these lovely, but endangered littlemammals, who are now a protected species.How YOU can help:If you see a hedgehog out during the day call 07806 744772. Make sure your garden is hedgehog friendly by removing manmade hazards such as litter. Add slipways to garden ponds, if a hog were to fall in theycould escape. Roll goal nets/tennis nets etc. up from the ground by 9-12 inches toprevent hogs becoming entangled. Keep drains covered. Do not use slugs pellets, hedgehogs like eating slugs.Did you know...Hedgehogs are referred to ashedgepigs and urchins inShakespeare’s “The Tempest”and “A Midsummer Night’sDream”...? If you have a visiting hog in your garden never feed bread and milk as itmakes them poorly. They much prefer cat biscuits andchicken in jelly, cat meat and meal worms. Donate any of the above food items to Prickles. If you are aged 14+ you could volunteer to cleanout or feed the hogs. Join our junior Fundraising Team!If you are ever in doubt about the well-beingof a hog call Prickles Hedgehog Rescue on07806 744772 for advice.It should now be warm enough for the hogs to wake upfrom hibernation for the hoglet season to begin...Report by Jazz ToveyDid you know...the Latin word forhedgehog is Erinaceus!IMPORTANTContact Alert for Parents!If you have recently moved, or changed your contact details,particularly your email address, thank you for informing ourMain Office (email: office@kowessex.co.uk)This is important for us to keep in contact with you about your child (ren).Thank you.Mrs M Buffham, Administration Manager