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Message from the Principal
It is my pleasure to welcome everybody back to school for the final half-term of the 2015/16 academic year. This is a notoriously busy half-term and I would like to draw your attention to a number of events on the horizon.
Year 5 Primary VisitsNext week we host visits from Year 5 students in six of our partner primary schools. The students will attend taster lessons and experience secondary school life first-hand. These visits form part of the process to ensure that students and parents/carers can make informed decisions next Autumn when choosing their secondary school. This will be especially important given the increased popularity of our school with both Years 7 and 8 being full next year and a record number of students in our Lower School. Post 16 InductionAlthough they will have only just finished their GCSE examinations, Year 11 students will return to school on Thursday 25 June and Friday 26 June to take part in their Post 16 Induction. These days are vital to ensure that everybody hits the floor running in September. Promotion of Year 9 into Year 10Following last year’s really successful trial, Year 9 students will begin their GCSE courses during the week beginning 27 June 2016. The feedback from all concerned last year was very positive and evidence suggests that students have made even better progress by beginning their examination courses slightly earlier. New Intake DayOur annual New Intake day for the incoming Year 7 students takes place on Wednesday 6 July. This event concludes with a briefing session for parents and carers at 6.00pm on Wednesday 1 July. Year 11 and Post 16 Graduation DaysStudents and staff from Year 11 will join together to celebrate the end of their studies at Ken Stimpson Community School on Tuesday 28 June. This will be followed by Post 16 Graduation Day on Thursday 7 July. Year 11 PromOne of the highlights of our school’s social calendar takes place at the Marriott Hotel on Tuesday 5 July. Keep an eye out for photographs for this event and many more on our Facebook page. Sports DayThis year’s Sports Day is planned to take place on Monday 18 July. Please note that there is no reserve date calendared this year, so let’s hope that the weather is more forgiving this year. More details about the day will shared with parents/carers and students nearer the time. Coast to Coast ExpeditionMr Erwin will take a group of students from a variety of Year groups students to the Jurassic Coast from Monday 18 to Monday 25 July. End of Year RewardsOver the course of this half-term teachers will make nominations for subject awards for students in the classes they have taught. In addition to this students will receive awards based on the number of positive points logged on our Connect System and for excellent or 100% attendance. The Upper School Rewards Visit takes place on Friday 15 July with the Lower School’s event taking place on Tuesday 19 July. House Presentation Day is Thursday 21 July. Reports DistributedThe final reports for this academic year will be sent home on Friday 15 July. We are also holding a Parents’ Surgery on Wednesday 22 June should you like to discuss anything regarding your child’s education with senior staff. Moving onFinally from me this week, I have to inform you that this will be my final half-term as Principal at Ken Stimpson Community School, as I have accepted a similar role at The Deepings School. This is my seventh year as Principal and, astonishingly for me, my sixteenth year at the school. I arrived at the school in 2000 as the Head of Modern Foreign Languages and subsequently worked as an Assistant Principal and then Vice Principal before becoming the Principal back in 2009. Leading a school of this size is a very challenging but rewarding role and one which is dependent upon high levels of support from students, staff, governors and colleagues. I feel that I have been very fortunate to have received this support over my time at Ken Stimpson. I never ceased to be amazed by how far staff at Ken Stimpson go to support students in their care, be that academically or pastorally, and I believe this to be the greatest strength of the school. I feel that the recent Ofsted judgements made about our school confirm that the foundations have been laid to make this a truly outstanding school. I am, and will always continue to be, very proud to have served as Principal of Ken Stimpson. All that being said, there is still much work to be done over the course of the remainder of the school year and I will save my formal goodbyes for the end of term. With effect from September Bryan Erwin will be Acting Principal and Andy O’Neill and Urni Wallace will be Acting Vice Principals. Best wishes
Richard Lord Year 8 Sustainable Development Goal Conference Day
 KSCS Students Creating Computers We now use computers in almost every part of our life however, a key component the microprocessor is widely often not understood. In response a team of 14 KSCS students have embarked on an ambitious project, in conjunction with ARM in Cambridge, to develop a working model of a microprocessor to help everyone understand clearly how it works. Sustainability coming fresh from KSCS Young people are the future. Yet their thoughts on global issues are broadly not considered. So this summer term the whole Year 8 cohort of Ken Stimpson Community School will be attending a conference on the 15 of July to provide solutions for the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This project is going to challenge all students to learn, discuss and create as global citizens on methods for the UK to meet the SDGs. Teachers, professionals and members of the public will also be joining the conference facilitating for students to develop their ideas. Follow the build up and the students progress on http://sdg.createdbyschools.com/
Mr Rai Werrington Neighbourhood Council
On Tuesday 7 June the school was given the honour of sending two groups of students to the Annual General Meeting of the Werrington Neighbourhood Council (WNC) to be recognised for their contributions to the community.
 Mrs Bamber was accompanied by Elise Ward (Year 7), Matteo Cozzetto (Year 7) and Sian Toms (Year 10) to be presented with the Good Citizenship Youth Award and a £50 prize. This was in recognition of the school's charitable work supporting Sports Relief, which raised £2718.31 for this worthy cause. WNC Chairman David Hedges praised Mrs Bamber and the students for this superb amount raised for the charity. The WNC also awarded the Community Education Award to Legacy, our Post 16 Young Enterprise company, in recognition of their considerable success this year in reaching the Young Enterprise Regional Final in Cambridge. The Council praised the school for making it three Regional Finals in a row and wished the team luck in reaching the National Final.  Mr Abbott Year 8 - Project Based Learning
Over the next half-term, Year 8 students will be taking part in three very exciting projects. The projects will run across science, art and design, and technology. The students will work both independently and in groups to produce a piece of project work that will be on display at our exhibition in the final week of term. The teachers involved have given a description of their projects below:
What makes us all different?Mr Rai and Mrs Bamber Students are beginning a seven week research project combining art, science and philosophy to attempt to answer an eternal question "what makes us all different?” They will be researching and representing themselves over the seven weeks. Project Outline:
How is photosynthesis linked to food production?Miss Farrell and Mrs Sithole This project is based on photosynthesis and how it is linked to food production. We intend for the students to gain knowledge of how photosynthesis takes place through science and food technology practicals. The students will have the opportunity to do some design work, science experiments and food practicals that will enhance their knowledge of photosynthesis and the production of carbohydrates and oxygen. In food technology students will get to make some carbohydrate dishes using fresh ingredients. They will plan and make a three course meal, design a menu card and have the opportunity of an extension task to make and design a cake to show the structure of a leaf. In science students will learn how plants produce the food we need and how plants are adapted to their environment. The students will conduct experiments looking at the action of yeast and how light affects the production of starch in photosynthesis. What will houses look like in the future?Mr Gaduzo and Mr Breen Over the next six weeks science and design technology will be working together on a group project. We will be investigating houses of the future and how to keep them warm. In design technology the students will have the opportunity to produce a small model village, demonstrating the differences in insulation. In science the students will learn how heat can be transferred, producing a poster that explains it. They will learn through experimentation showing how conduction and convection work. We will be sending out invitations to the project exhibition later this half-term. It would be great to see you there. Mr Corner Year 11 Graduation
It almost seems an eternity since the first summer examination began back on 3 May. I have been impressed with the ongoing effort and commitments on the Year 11 students and I hope they are beginning to see the light at the end of a very long tunnel!
 As a school we traditionally mark the end of Year 11 with a Graduation Day. This will take place on Tuesday 28 June starting at 11.00 am. It is a very special morning, involving members of staff recognising the achievement of students and their attendance. We ask that students attend in smart dress clothes (no jeans or trainers) and formally celebrate the end of their examinations. We will be handing out a number of certificates and prize draws for students with high attendance records. There will be a whole school photo opportunity alongside informal photographs that will be taken during the morning. Finally, one lucky student will win an iPad! The event will finish at approximately 1.00pm and we look forward to celebrating with the students the formal end of Year 11. Mr Erwin Exam Invigilators
Ken Stimpson Community School require Exam Invigilators for further details please contact
Mrs Carol Leach, Exams Officer on 01733 383666. Attendance
Well done to Success for another week in the lead. However be aware we need to increase our attendance. During this last term we need to keep focus on our target of 96%. Keep those bugs at bay and make those days count.
"Attend today - Achieve tomorrow" Sharon Blackledge
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