Issue 5 - May 2016 t: 01844 210510 e: [email protected]w: www.lordwilliams.oxon.sch.uk Headteacher’s Message I need your help in order to avoid a serious accident happening in and around our school sites. Despite frequent requests many parents/carers are ignoring the school’s safety concerns and making this more likely to happen. For example, on Sycamore Drive adjacent to Upper School parents/carers are dropping off their children close to the school entrances causing blockages for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. At Lower School parents/carers are still driving into school car parks causing blockages. I am surprised that some parents/ carers are not prepared to drop their children off at a short distance from the school, for a short walk into school. At Upper School and at Lower School I would again request that: Students are dropped off away from school entrances and car parks (at least 100 metres from the entrances). At Upper School, parents/carers do not turn around in the junction between Sycamore Drive and Beech Road but turn around at a safe point on the estate. Parents/carers do not drive into school car parks at the beginning and end of the day (the results are bottle- necks because it then becomes hugely difficult to leave the car park, staff cannot get in and queues form on the main road). These sorts of actions are putting students at serious risk of being involved in an accident. I also want you to know that teachers and support staff are still having to deal with too many incidents of on-line cruelty and unkindness. The internet provides so many learning opportunities but also an easy means to post hurtful comments/images or content of a sexual nature. Students will be reminded again next term that if they are involved in any activity which causes harm to others because of on-line activities, including sending inappropriate images or messages, then it is likely that an exclusion from school will follow. We have also tightened up on our uniform expectations this term. It is clear that the overwhelming majority of students come to school smartly dressed. We have clear expectations of what is acceptable for school and dressing modestly is certainly one of them. Please continue to help us with this by making sure your son/daughter comply with the uniform regulations. Regarding the new uniform in September, there is more information on our website by way of Frequently Asked Questions. In Year 11, where the uniform will not be compulsory in September, students will be allowed to wear the new tie with a white shirt and new school jumper. In Years 8 and 9, if the new uniform is chosen, a school blazer will have to be worn. On a more positive note, summer now seems to have arrived and students can enjoy break times on grassed areas. They are certainly fortunate to come to sites which are very attractive. At Upper School birdsong and flowers are very noticeable at this time of year. Prospective Sixth Form students and their parents/ carers are passing back very positive feedback to us about the school and the staff and students they meet. I would also like to draw your attention to and request your support for the LWA fundraising events on page 9, including the summer raffle. Their work is invaluable to the school. Finally, I would like to give all students involved in summer examinations my very best wishes for the challenges ahead and hope that all their hard work will bring successful results in August. David Wybron Inside this issue: Distribution & Exchange of New Uniform Music Notes 2 ACE Week 2016 Sixth Form News 3 6,000 Years of History 4 Sod Cutting Ceremony Rocket Science 5 Parent Governor Election Lower School Sketch Show Extra Curricular Activities Science Magazines Aik Saath Workshop 6 Anti-Racism Poster 7 Arts Award Student Review Twitter 8 LWA News 9 Train to Teach Info Evening Home School Communication 10 Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus Fundraising 11 Catering News 12 Advertisements 14 Contact Us/Term Dates/ 17
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I need your help in order to avoid a serious accident happening in and around our school sites. Despite frequent requests many parents/carers are ignoring the school’s safety concerns and making this more likely to happen. For example, on Sycamore Drive adjacent to Upper School parents/carers are dropping off their children close to the school entrances causing blockages for pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. At Lower School parents/carers are still driving into school car parks causing blockages. I am surprised that some parents/carers are not prepared to drop their children off at a short distance from the school, for a short walk into school.
At Upper School and at Lower School I would again request that:
Students are dropped off away from school entrances and car parks (at least 100 metres from the entrances).
At Upper School, parents/carers do not turn around in the junction between Sycamore Drive and Beech Road but turn around at a safe point on the estate.
Parents/carers do not drive into school car parks at the beginning and end of the day (the results are bottle-necks because it then becomes hugely difficult to leave the car park, staff cannot get in and queues form on the main road).
These sorts of actions are putting students at serious risk of being involved in an accident.
I also want you to know that teachers and support staff are still having to deal with too many incidents of on-line cruelty and unkindness. The internet provides so many learning opportunities but also an easy means to post hurtful comments/images or content of a sexual nature. Students will be reminded again next term that if they are involved in any activity which causes harm to others because of on-line activities, including sending inappropriate images or messages, then it is likely that an exclusion from school will follow.
We have also tightened up on our uniform expectations this term. It is clear that the overwhelming majority of students come to school smartly dressed. We have clear expectations of what is acceptable for school and dressing modestly is certainly one of them. Please continue to help us with this by making sure your son/daughter comply with the uniform regulations. Regarding the new uniform in September, there is more information on our website by way of Frequently Asked Questions. In Year 11, where the uniform will not be compulsory in September, students will be allowed to wear the new tie with a white shirt and new school jumper. In Years 8 and 9, if the new uniform is chosen, a school blazer will have to be worn.
On a more positive note, summer now seems to have arrived and students can enjoy break times on grassed areas. They are certainly fortunate to come to sites which are very attractive. At Upper School birdsong and flowers are very noticeable at this time of year. Prospective Sixth Form students and their parents/carers are passing back very positive feedback to us about the school and the staff and students they meet.
I would also like to draw your attention to and request your support for the LWA fundraising events on page 9, including the summer raffle. Their work is invaluable to the school.
Finally, I would like to give all students involved in summer examinations my very best wishes for the challenges ahead and hope that all their hard work will bring successful results in August.
David Wybron
Inside this issue:
Distribution & Exchange of New Uniform Music Notes
2
ACE Week 2016
Sixth Form News 3
6,000 Years of History 4
Sod Cutting Ceremony
Rocket Science 5
Parent Governor Election
Lower School Sketch Show
Extra Curricular Activities
Science Magazines
Aik Saath Workshop
6
Anti-Racism Poster 7
Arts Award Student Review Twitter
8
LWA News 9
Train to Teach Info Evening Home School Communication
Music Notes Singer of the Year - This was an amazing event with a 'full house'. The judges included Sarah Payne and Stuart Wood who are both very fine singers and experienced performers. The Rappers sang for the first time and the Big Vocal Group performed in the second half. Accompanists included Judy Thompson, James Wright and Elizabeth Law who accompanied her own daughter. Everyone sang so brilliantly; congratulations to all who made the evening so enjoyable and splendid.
The Winners Lower School Winner Emma Whayman Highly Commended Brendon Ellis Upper School Winner Keira Green Highly Commended Michael Smith Best Vocal Group Caitlin Tiddy and Keira Green
Singer of the Year and overall winner Mia Wilson
Music Examination Results - Congratulations to the following students for all their hard work and effort.
Piano
Grade 1: Gemma Reaney Distinction
Grade 2: Jadzia Allen Pass
Lucy Ware Pass
Grade 4: Katie McRobert Merit
Grade 5 Jazz Piano: Michael Smith Distinction
Grade 6: Elspeth Jackson Merit Edward Jones Pass
An outstanding achievement - Grade 8 Piano - Lottie Scraton.
Singing
Grade 4: Alice Tanner Merit
Caitlin Tiddy Merit
Grade 5: Lottie Scraton Distinction
Clarinet
Grade 2: Clare Little Distinction
Mrs Brooks, Team Leader KS3 Music
Distribution and Exchange of New Uniform
Distribution Day - For those of you who recently placed an online order to take advantage of the discounted rates offered on the new school uniform, we would like to advise of the arrangement for collection which is as follows: Date: Saturday 18th June 2016 Time: 10.00am – 2.00pm Location: Lecture Room at Lower School (surnames A-M) or the Coffee Lounge at Lower School (surnames N-Z) Please bring your order number with you as a reference. If you are unable to attend the distribution event and wish to send someone else on your behalf, please give your representative a printed copy of your order confirmation that contains your signature, in order to authorise collection. Exchange Day - The exchange day is only relevant if you have items of uniform that you either wish to return, or which you need to exchange for an alternative size. The details of the exchange day are as follows: Date: Thursday 23rd June 2016 Time: 4.30pm – 6.30pm Location: Sports Hall at Lower School Further details regarding the exchange day will be printed on the label of your uniform package. If you have any questions concerning this please email the school on: [email protected]
Our annual Alternative Curriculum Week is fast approaching!
You should have received a letter recently with the details for this year's ACE Week which takes place between 4th - 8th July. Please search your inbox (or your child's school bag!) if you haven't yet got it. You can also download copies from the school's website if needed. There are three different letters - one for Year 7, one for Year 9 and one for those Year 9 students involved in this year's Duke of Edinburgh’s Award.
It is very important that payments for the week come into school via the sQuid system by the date in the letter. It is also vital that all Year 9 students return the permission slip to their Science teacher as soon as they can. We will be unable to let any child travel on the Science trip without having parental permission in writing.
More details will be sent home as we get nearer the week but if you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact your child's form tutor in the first instance.
Many thanks.
Mr Clarke, Head of English and Senior Teacher
I would like to wish all Year 12 and Year 13 students the best of luck with their examinations. We know what a stressful time of the year this is and how hard students have worked in the lead up to their examinations. It is particularly important for those Year 13 students who need certain grades to take up their places at university; I have reminded all Sixth Form students recently that there is lots of help and support available in school should they need it.
We say a sad farewell to our lovely Year 13 students who go on study leave on Friday 27th May. They have been a fantastic year group and I would like to say a special thank you to all the Senior Students for the work they have done this year but especially Stephanie Lawal and Harry Parsons (Head Girl and Boy) and Millie Hooper and Chris Mullins (Deputy Head Girl and Boy). Also, thanks for all the hard work by members of the Ball Committee and the Year Book Committee.
A reminder to all Year 13 students that we will be looking forward to celebrating with them on Results Day
on Thursday 18th August and then at the Sixth Form Awards Evening on Friday 4th November.
Congratulations to our new Senior Students! Congratulations to the following students who have recently been elected as Senior Students for next year:
Jessica Yates – Head Girl Alexander Ingell – Head Boy
Charlotte Collingwood – Deputy Head Girl Gabe Locke – Deputy Head Boy
Lucy Daniels Connor Collerton
Shannah Hatch Johannes Hafstad
Tiffany Pedley William Kendall
Elinor Solly Daniel Pearce
I would like to wish all of Year 12 the best of luck with their AS examinations. Year 12 study leave has now started; students return to Year 13 lessons on Monday 13th June.
Finally, I would like to wish all Year 11 students good luck in their GCSE examinations. For those who have applied to stay on at Lord Williams’s we look forward to welcoming them to the Introduction to Sixth Form Conference which is on Monday 27th and Tuesday 28th June.
Artefacts dating back around 6,000 years were presented to our Lower School students during a special assembly in April. The remains of prehistoric monuments and settlements going back to the Neolithic period were among the exciting discoveries made during a seven-month excavation of Bloor Homes Thame Meadows site, at Oxford Road, opposite Upper School.
Archaeologists have described the dig, which was carried out by experts from Oxford Cotswold Archaeology, as one of the most significant undertaken in Britain last year.
Chris Ellis, Senior Project Officer at Cotswold Archaeology, part of a joint venture with Oxford Archaeology, presented the findings to the students: “It was such a fantastic experience to show prehistoric remains and artefacts to that many students in one go. They were very enthusiastic and interested in all the items we have discovered just over the road. For the sheer density and range of archaeological features and the long period which they span, this has been the most fascinating and exhilarating excavation I have been involved with in my 25-year career.”
One of the most important finds was the discovery of a rare causewayed enclosure dating back to around 3,700BC, one of only 80 such monuments known to exist in Britain. Consisting of one or more circuits of bank and ditch, they are the earliest known monuments made by some of the farming communities and were constructed to enclose areas of open space where communal gatherings would take place.
Archaeologists also uncovered the remains of at least three roundhouses from the early Iron Age period (700-400BC), and more than 150 pits, used for storing grain and later disposing of rubbish, some containing human remains where settlers had buried the dead.
Discoveries from the Roman period (AD43-410) include a number of enclosures which housed corn drying ovens, while around 14 small Saxon buildings, dating from the 6th to 7th Century AD and believed to have been textile workshops, were also uncovered.
Flint tools, pottery and combs made from animal bone were just some of the thousands of artefacts discovered. The finds from the excavation will be housed with the Oxfordshire County Museum Service and it is likely some of the objects will be displayed in Thame Museum.
Page 5 Take Me Home!
The ground breaking ceremony has taken place at Upper School to mark the start of new building work. The school was successful in a bid to central government for the funding necessary.
E G Carter & Co Ltd has been appointed as the contractors with the final works scheduled to be completed by Easter 2017. The new building will include 9 new general classrooms, 2 refurbished science laboratories, new staff and student toilets and additional office and team room spaces as well as flexible inside and outdoor circulation space.
Sod Cutting Ceremony
Students at Lord Williams’s Lower School have embarked on a voyage of discovery by growing seeds that have been into space.
In September, 2kg of rocket seeds were flown to the International Space Station (ISS) on Soyuz 44S where they spent several months in microgravity before returning to Earth. The seeds were sent as part of Rocket Science, an educational project launched by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and the UK Space Agency.
Lord Williams’s School is one of the participating schools to receive a packet of 100 seeds from space, which are being grown alongside seeds that haven’t been to space and the differences measured. The students do not know which seed packet contains which seeds until all results have been collected by the RHS Campaign for School Gardening and analysed by professional biostatisticians.
The out-of-this-world, nationwide science experiment will enable the students to think more about how we could preserve human life on another planet in the future, what astronauts need to survive long-term missions in space and the difficulties surrounding growing fresh food in challenging climates.
Mr Bill Zahariadis, Joint KS3 Team Leader Science, says: “We are very excited to be taking part in Rocket Science. This experiment is a fantastic way of teaching our students to think more scientifically and share their findings with the whole school.”
Rocket Science is just one educational project from a programme developed by the UK Space Agency to celebrate British ESA astronaut Tim Peake’s Principia mission to the ISS and inspire young people to look into careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) subjects, including horticulture.
It's Rocket Science at Lord Williams's
Page 6 Take Me Home!
Science Magazines The Science Faculty would be grateful for donations of current/recent magazines such as FlipSide, BBC Wildlife, BBC Focus, EcoKids and NatGeo Kids. We do not need 'grownup' magazines such as New Scientist. Thank you.
Mrs Wainwright, Science Teacher
Lower School Drama
Tuesday 21st June 7.00pm Phoenix Performing Arts Studio
A date for your diary...
Parent Governor Election
Thank you to all those who voted in the recent Parent Governor election. Rebecca Lyall received the most votes and has therefore been elected as a new Parent Governor.
Miss Wormley, Clerk to Governors
Lord Williams's Workshop 'Aik Saath' - Together as One -
Challenging Prejudice and Racism in Secondary School
On Tuesday 8th March I took three of our Year 12 students - Sadia Rahman, Vishali Nareshkumar and
Mira Altaf to make a presentation about the work we have completed in school with Aik Saath regarding
ethnicity and diversity.
The girls represented the school brilliantly and we had some superb feedback from Jo Brown - the OCC
Anti-Bullying Coordinator. The conference was attended by a number of primary and secondary schools
and many were very interested in how the students felt they were supported in school and what their
plans are for the future.
Later this term, we plan to have a reunion for all those who attended the workshops across both sites and
discuss how we can continue the programme next year. It will also be an opportunity to discuss how
things have changed and what work is still to be completed to ensure that all of our students feel valued
and supported in school.
Mrs MacKerron, Year 7 Pastoral Support Officer & Young Carers Co-ordinator
Extra-Curricular Activities List
The summer term’s Extra-Curricular Activities list is now on the school’s website. Please click here to take a look at the clubs/activities running at school.
Have you ever thought about sharing your passion for your degree subject with eager enquiring minds? You might be a on a career break or contemplating a change of direction in your career within the next twelve months or two years.
You are warmly invited to find out about teacher training opportunities here at Lord Williams’s School.
Do come along to our Information Evening at Upper School on Thursday 23
Lord Williams’s Festival Chorus is a local friendly choir which rehearses in the school's
Main Hall and gives concerts in the Thame Leisure Centre.
If you like singing why not come along?
Students at LWS do not have to pay a subscription fee or score hire, so it is free for them to
join the choir. And there is no audition!!
Under 16s need to be accompanied by an adult, so would need to bring a parent/carer with
them if they do not know anyone already in the choir who would take responsibility for them
but A-level students can attend unaccompanied.
Currently we only have one LWS student (Year 8) in the choir but there are a number of parents,
former students and teachers among the members, who range in age from 13-93!
For our classical concerts, we are accompanied by Ealing Symphony Orchestra
and a range of professional and amateur soloists.
We are now rehearsing excerpts from Gershwin’s ‘Porgy and Bess’
and a medley of Beatles hits for a concert on 10th July.
Rehearsals are in the Upper School Hall, Monday evenings 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Why not give it a go? We're friendly and simply enjoy making music!
Just come along!
We are crowdfunding! Please follow our fundraising projects on Hubbub.org or via the main school website. We are currently fundraising for the following:
Tablet Project - We would like to purchase 10 additional tablets. The school has invested
significantly in a Wi-Fi infrastructure in order that students and staff can take advantage of the latest technology for teaching and learning.
3D Printer - We are crowdfunding in order to purchase a 3D printer for our school. The ability to work with 3D shapes will give our students real world experiences. Students will see their ideas and designs come to life! 3D models will help in many subject areas not just tech-nology - Art and Design, Mathematics and Science will all benefit from this type of technology.
The Gambia - Lord Williams’s School has a very strong link with Brikama Senior
Secondary School in The Gambia, West Africa. Students and teachers visit each year and several members of BUBS staff have spent time in lessons at Lord Williams’s School. The current situation regarding the library at the school is dire. We want them to be inspired to learn in a room which is safe, clean and appropriate to encourage them to learn.
Please sponsor us and help make this happen or share this with anyone who you think would support us. Thanks for looking and for your support!
Please return to Dawn Armitage in Reception at either Upper School or Lower School.
@LordWilliamsJob
@LWS_News
@lordwilliamsDoE
Mon 6th June 6th-16th French Exchange Thame to Liseaux AS Examinations Begin w/c Year 8 Mathematics Assessment _____ Thu 9th June 9th-10th Year 7 Religious studies Trip to London___ Mon13th June Military Day Aldershot w/c Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Mentor Meeting 3 w/c Year 7 Mathematics Assessment w/c Year Councils__________________________ Tue 14th June 14th-16th Year 9 Humanities Trip to Normandy Year 8 Parents’ Evening_____________________ Wed 15th June Duke of Edinburgh Silver Qualifier A Kit Check___ Thu 16th June Hospitality Challenge_______________________ Fri 17th June 17th-19th Duke of Edinburgh Silver Qualifies A___ Sat 18th June Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Qualifier Kit Check____ Mon 20th June 20th-30th German Exchange Bonn to Thame 20th-23rd Year 8 Trip to Netherlands____________ Tue 21st June Lower School Drama Production_______________ Wed 22nd June Primary Dance Show________________________ Thu 23rd June Year 10 Dance Examination Evening____________ Fri 24th June 24th-26th Duke of Edinburgh Silver Qualifier B Lower School Choreography Challenge Year 11 Ball _____ Mon 27th June 27th June—1st July Gambia Week 27th-28th Introduction to Sixth Form Conference Lower School Technology Trip________________ Tue 28th June Gambia Night Key Stage 3 Author Visit_____________________ Wed 29th June BMW Cowley Visit ______________Key Stage 3 & 4 Awards Evening______________
Calendar
Thu 30th June Creative Arts Open Evening Year 12 Futures Day___________________
Fri 1st July Year 6 & Year 9 Taster Day Slave Ship Assembly 1st-3rd Duke of Edinburgh Bronze A Qualifier _______________1st-2nd Duke of Edinburgh Silver Kit Return_
Sun 3rd July 3rd-5th Duke of Edinburgh Bronze B Qualifier_
Mon 4th July 4th-8th ACE Week 4th-8th Year 10 Work Experience__________
Tue 5th July 5th-7th Duke of Edinburgh Bronze C Qualifier LWA Meeting__________________________
Wed 6th July Full Governors’ Meeting__________________
Thu 7th July 7th-9th Duke of Edinburgh Bronze D Qualifier Year 12 University Visit Royal Holloway _____
Fri 8th July 8th-10th Year 12 Languages Trip to Berlin___
Mon 11th July Duke of Edinburgh Silver Final Sign Off Expedition Year 12 Summer Party Tutor Reports Home Years 7,9,10&12_______
Tue 12th July 12th-16th Duke of Edinburgh Gold Qualifier Year 6 Parents’ Evening__________________
Wed 13th July Sports Awards Evening__________________
Mon 18th July Take Me Home Published________________
Tue 19th July Term Ends____________________________
What’s Your View? ...................................................................................................................................................................................................
Lord Williams's School is an academy managed by Thame Partnership Academy Trust, which is a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and
Wales, with registered company number 8154932 and its registered address at Lord Williams's School, Oxford Road, Thame, Oxon. OX9 2AQ