Weekly Newsletters

Winding down? No way!

The odd flippant comment comes my way from a variety of sources at this time of year.  It usually presents itself by external people making the assumption that the end of term is a period of time when we take our foot off the pedal and begin to think about the summer holidays.  Well, just as proof that this is not the case I thought I would share with you the range of events that have just taken place this week.

1.    We have welcomed 20 Taiwanese and Italian students to stay with us until the end of term

2.    Dove programme – raising awareness of positive body image with Year 7 students successfully ran

3.    Year 9 students were involved in the Ryman National Enterprise Challenge Finals in London on Wednesday

4.    Years 7-9 have completed their end of year internal examinations superbly well.

5.    Year 10 begin their end of year examinations

6.    A Maths Challenge for our most able students took place in Oundle on Wednesday

7.    The City athletics for Years 7-10 have taken place

8.    We welcomed our new Year 7 students and their parents and carers

9.    Year 12 students started their work experience programme

10.  The School Choir performed superbly over Friday evening at KSCS, as well as Saturday and Sunday at Ferry Meadows

11.  Year 12 students took part on “Visit to democracy week” at the Town Hall

12.  A very successful HMI visit to review our curriculum provision

And finally the small matter of wishing Dynasty  (twitter: @DynastyYE_AA) Young Enterprise finalist, all the very best on Friday.  They are up against 13 other schools nationally to win the award of Young Enterprise Company of the Year.  I have reserved the front page of this newsletter and the Peterborough Evening Telegraph as they are going to win.  Their dedication and effort will shine through.  I rarely say good luck, but on this occasion, sometimes it is the luck of gods that is required.

I cannot wait to share with you what we will be doing next week.  I am not sure where the staff have stored the energy to get involved with so many exciting activities to ensure we engage with the broader curriculum agenda.

Bryan Erwin
Principal

Whilst it is not a quick fix the programme gives students tools to help them cope with pressures they face in everyday life in various forms including the media, social media, appearance ideals and body image.

This week we were fortunate to welcome Anna from Dove who was able to deliver the single 'Confident Me' session to the whole of year & in groups throughout the day.  

Some students feedback:

• "I found it really inspiring and amazed how body shape and fashion have changed over time"
• "Not everything you see in the media is real"
• "Billibords are fake, images are edited and photo-shopped"

At the end of the session students were encouraged to make a positive pledge to boost self esteem, whether their own or someone they know.

Mrs Patman and Mrs Gregg
Pupil Premium Administrator / Vocational Studies Co-ordinator

While on placement, the students completed their work booklets and I was fortunate enough to discuss with several of them about their experiences on the day. I was so pleased to hear some really positive and encouraging feedback about what students had been up to and what they took away from the opportunity. Employers were also very positive about the positive and polite mindset of our students and were keen to stress how students displayed confidence and enthusiasm. A huge congratulations to all students involved and a big thank you to all parents for supporting and arranging placements for the World of Work day.

Mr Billitt
Head of House: Success

The students were split in to small groups and given the task of creating a marketing campaign for a healthy soft drink. They used their creativity and teamwork skills to come up with a company name, logo and slogan, as well as designing a billboard and storyboard to help advertise their product.

At the end of the day, each group presented their ideas and it was up to us to decide who the winners were. Even though many of them were very nervous about this, they overcame their fears and made us feel very proud with all their amazing ideas and illustrations!

Well done everyone!

Miss Kingston, Mrs Patman and Mrs Gregg
Business Admin Apprentice / Pupil Premium Administrator / Vocational Studies Co-ordinator

‘Road To Education’ team members Ethan Lutterer, Daniel Wright, Richard Coric, Connonr Clarke and Rami Saqre designed and created a dual pen/pencil with detachable ruler.

‘Shoochoo’ team members Laura Miller, Aleksandra Wolna, Millie Wright, Mollie Simpson and Airide Jomante designed the Shoochoo, a pencil aimed at primary school students with characters which become detachable as you sharpen it.

Each team went into a judging room in front of a panel of experts to pitch, Dragons Den style. Only 5 out of 130 teams were chosen to pitch again on the big stage in front of a panel of judges including businessman Theo Paphitis. The presenters were Jordan and Perry from Diversity who were more than happy to take selfies with our excited students.

We are very proud of the preparation, commitment, teamwork and creativity shown in both teams. They all enjoyed the day immensely and will have gained valuable experience from taking part in such a prestigious event. We hope many will become our Young Enterprise team members of the future.

Mrs Patman and Mrs Gregg
Pupil Premium Administrator / Vocational Studies Co-ordinator

In cadets we do things like media, drill, first aid, shooting, sports, flying, gliding and swimming. 
Recently I was awarded the rank of first class cadet which means I have passed all exams and basic training required to meet the criteria.
On the 4th of June this year I was made cadet of the month for outstanding attendance, participation and dress standards. This means I took part in the activities at both Cadets and things we do out in the community and I keep my uniform at the top of the expected standards
I have also passed my bronze first aid award and took part in a cadet exercise where we had to use our first aid skills. 
 

Next Thursday, twenty five Ken Stimpson students be taking part in the 10^th year of the Dorset Walk, an event which has raised more than £150,000 to help people recover from cancer

The Malcolm Whales Foundation, a charity established in 2008 by Cambridgeshire-teacher and Stags coach Damien Whales in memory of his father, is preparing for its 10^th annual Dorset Walk along the Jurassic Coast.

More than 150 schoolchildren and teachers from schools in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire will take part in the event, walking 40 miles of the South West Coast Path from Weymouth to Studland Bay over three days, from 13-15 July. Each will have raised an average of around £100 to participate, and will also rattle buckets to raise more as they walk, passing features familiar from their geography textbooks such as Lulworth Cove, Durdle Door and Old Harry. The walkers also clean up the trail as they go, helping maintain some of the National Trust’s most beautiful coastal countryside.

The Foundation has raised more than £150,000 from the event since its launch 10 years ago, and uses the money to provide practical help for young people recovering from cancer and other life-changing illnesses. In recent years, it has helped Grafham Water Sailability buy a new boat and get more disabled young people afloat, it has enabled The Harry Johnson Trust to build a sensory garden at The Princess Royal Hospital Telford, it has donated iPads to the children’s cancer ward at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge, it enables Edgar’s Gift to provide a free six week break at a holiday retreat each year for families recovering from cancer, and it provides funds annually to Climbing Out, so that 16 young cancer survivors’ can re-build their confidence and self-esteem on a challenging outdoor adventure.

Commenting on the event, Damien Whales, a Vice Principal at Ken Stimpson Community School in Peterborough and Head Coach at Huntingdon Rugby Club, said: “I am always blown away by the amount of support we get for this walk, both from the walkers themselves and their schools, and also from our generous sponsors. Ten years ago, as I took just 30 Ely students to Weymouth, I would never have dreamed that some of them would now be involved in running the Foundation, nor that we would be able to help so many people through the funds we’ve raised since. It’s become a proper logistical operation now, and is hard to pull off alongside my day-job, but I know my dad would have little sympathy for that. I’m fairly sure he’d be proud of what we’re doing in his name.”

Malcolm Whales was only 55 years old when he died of bowel cancer in 2008. Shortly before his diagnosis, he had taken an interest in endurance challenges and in particular long distance walks, and so Damien thought these would be a fitting way of remembering him. The Foundation also raises money through sponsored golf days, rugby matches and a ’12 hours of sport’ event at several schools.

The Foundation is always looking for charities and worthy causes to support, and also welcomes interest from companies or individuals who wish to sponsor its events. To find out more, see www.malcolmwhales.co.uk. To give to the Foundation, please see: http://www.malcolmwhales.co.uk/donate/4539153919

Mr Whales
Vice Principal

There has been no change in the house positions this week. Aspire still lead in first place, with the other houses close behind. This week year 11 have finished their exams but for the other years we are still busy in lessons. "Today is a good day to try" Quasimodo in the Hunchback of Notre Dame

S Blackledge
Attendance Officer