King Edward VII College Latest Events and News September 2015

Graham takes on STEM project at Twycross Zoo

During the summer I was blessed with the opportunity of completing a STEM

project through the Nuffield Foundation. STEM stands for Science,

Technology, Engineering and Maths, so there is a massive range and variety

of projects available to take part in. I asked for a science project, and I also

included my interest for animals in my application.

This year they had over 360

applicants and only 60 places! I was extremely lucky to

be given one, and the project I was given was based at

Twycross Zoo, which was incredible for me considering

how closely I want to work with animals as a career! The

project itself can run over 4-6 weeks, I was given a 4 week

project. During this time I was given the interesting task of

studying the behaviour of butterflies, I was able to pick

exactly what I wanted to study within this field. I had a lot

of independence over the entire project, whereas some

placements are more controlled. However, all of your

research is your own. You write your own hypotheses, methods and learn to practice all of the skills

you will require for writing dissertations at university. I could not

recommend this opportunity enough, especially if you are

interested in any of the subjects STEM includes. It will be

something you will treasure, and will help you decide if a career

in that subject is what you really want to pursue. As a bonus it

looks really good on your personal statement for university or on

job applications! It really makes a massive difference as being

dedicated to something for 4 weeks will really make you stand

out. I am so proud now to have a complete report of my own

to show for all of my hard work. The length of it almost put me

off, but I am so glad I applied and went through with it.

Graham Smith Year 13

Nuffield Research Projects

‘To optimise the experimental and time condition required to

extract base salt for our unseasoned products’

During four weeks of the summer holiday, I participated in the Nuffield Research Projects where I

was working at PepsiCo conducting experiments ‘To optimise the experimental and time conditions

required to extract base salt for our unseasoned products’.

This placement has given me an invaluable insight in how demanding certain jobs can be and also

what it is like on a day to day basis to work in a scientific area. My Nuffield Research Project has

also reinforced my ambitions to go into a scientific related job in the future and has given me

helpful tips on do’s and don'ts for interviews and jobs in the future. Working at PepsiCo has also

increased my skill set in areas such as presentation, teamwork and organisation skills. These

increased skill sets that I have acquired through the

Nuffield research placements will help me later in life

as I will use them at university and in future jobs

especially presentation skills . The Nuffield Research

Projects also has presented me with the opportunity to

achieve a gold crest through the work I have done

over the summer. The Gold Crest will be very

beneficial to me when I apply for universities as it will

look good on my personal statement.

James Clare Year 13

King Edward students visit Normandy

On 8th July 44 of our students went to Normandy for five days

of full immersion in the French language and culture. It was

an amazing experience for our students, educational and

fun, full of laughter but also emotion.

The programme for the trip included visits to the D-Day sites

such as the D-Day beaches, the Omaha Beach cemetery,

the Arromanches 3-D cinema and the Caen Memorial.

Students were at times quite overwhelmed by the revelation

of the human and economic impact of the War World 2,

especially when seeing such crude reminders of the horrors of

those events in striking contrast with the most idyllic of settings. For one of our year 11 students, Rilkean

Patfield, this visit had a personal significance as his great grand-father was involved in building the

Mulberry Harbour which was used by the Allies to send their troops to Normandy.

Our youngsters also spent a day in the beautiful town of Bayeux

where they visited the impressive gothic cathedral and the

Museum of the Bayeux tapestry, a 70 metre long embroidery that

depicts the Norman Conquest in 1066. Everybody was in awe at

this almost 1000 years old piece of fabric that makes the bridge in

time between the present day and Medieval England.

On a very sunny day, the students went to visit the Mont Saint

Michel, a renowned World Heritage Site and one of the main

tourist attractions in France.

All these experiences were rendered complete by the

camaraderie and real friendship that united the students! They all thoroughly enjoyed the evenings

spent on the beach playing rounders, going in the sea or just diving into a good book. They also

appreciated the daily opportunity to taste something new on the menu in the restaurant! The students

were very good at practicing their speaking skills, with the restaurant manager commenting that their

French got better and better during the week!

Our students were an absolute credit to themselves, their families and our

college! They were mature, fun to have around and showed real curiosity

and thirst for knowledge. Thank you to them, to their parents and also to

the staff who gave up their time to support this year’s trip: Céline Guéry,

Luke Marvell and Sarah McCrory.

During the five days spent in France, I kept a blog where I posted photos

from the trip as well as a full description of the activities:

http://mflatkinged.blogspot.co.uk/?view=magazine

Here are some of the comments that the students made at the end of the trip:

“ My favourite part of the French trip was the first full day when we went to the 360˚cinema, the Omaha

Beach Cemetery and the Caen Peace Memorial. The 360˚ cinema was emotional because we were

surrounded by scenes from the war. Also the Omaha Beach cemetery was great because the amount

of graves and head stones really put into perspective the amount of people who died on D-Day and

these were just the American graves! It was so interesting!” (Jessica Gee)

“My favourite part of the French trip was the visit to Bayeux, including both the

tapestry and the town. I loved the history of the tapestry and it was amazing to see

it in real life. I also really enjoyed shopping in Bayeux as the architecture is beautiful

there and I was able to sample some French cakes from the patisserie. However, I

thoroughly enjoyed the entire trip!” (Hannah Aldridge)

My most memorable moment on this trip was the 360˚ cinema. We watched a

short film about the D-Day landings in Normandy. I didn’t know where to look

because there were so many different clips, it really was immersive. Another thing I

enjoyed was going to a small French café and trying to order food. We had to

work as a team to try and make sense. The food was really nice too! (Niamh)

As a college, we are looking forward to providing even more opportunities to our

students to experience different languages and cultures.

Mrs Jauzelon

Mindfulness…...

We live in a manic society where most people’s lives are on permanent fast-forward. School is an

example of this for both teachers and students. Mindfulness is a very simple form of meditation that was

little known in the West until recently. Focusing on different things allows you to observe your thoughts as

they arise in your mind and, little by little, to let go of struggling with them. You come to realise that

thoughts come and go on their own.

Mindfulness is about observation without criticism; being

compassionate with yourself. When unhappiness or stress hover

overhead, rather than taking it all personally, you learn to treat

them as if they were black clouds in the sky, and to observe them

with friendly curiosity as they drift past. In essence, mindfulness

allows you to catch negative thought patterns before they tip you

into a downward spiral. It begins the process of putting you back in

control of your life.

Over time, mindfulness brings about long-term changes in mood

and levels of happiness and wellbeing. Scientific studies have

shown that mindfulness not only prevents depression, but that it also positively affects the brain patterns

underlying day-to-day anxiety, stress, depression and irritability so that when they arise, they dissolve

away again more easily. Other studies have shown that regular meditators see their doctors less often

and spend fewer days in hospital. Memory improves, creativity increases and reaction times become

faster .

With this in mind, a 6 week (initially) mindfulness workshop will be offered beginning on the 23rd

September in room 85. These sessions will run from 3.30pm -3.50pm in room 85. They are available to

both staff and students.

Mr Burder

Presentation Evening for Teacher Training

via School Direct – PGCE route

23rd

September 2015 – 5.30pm Are you thinking about teaching?

Have you experience of, or are interested in, working with children and young people?

Are you keen to make a difference?

Then come to our Presentation Evening at Forest Way School on

Wednesday 23rd September 2015, starting at 5:30pm to find out about our well established and successful programmes for Primary/Special and Secondary

PGCE via the SCHOOL DIRECT route.

FWTSA collaborates with the University of Derby, an Outstanding provider of Initial Teacher Training

(Ofsted 2011), in the delivery our Primary/ Special programme.

FWTSA collaborates with the University of Derby, University of Leicester and Loughborough

University to bring you a quality, Secondary learning experience backed by established providers of initial

teacher education.

You will have opportunities on the night to talk to teachers from the FWTSA schools as well as representatives

from the Universities and some of our current trainees.

Guidance will be given on the application and selection processes.

Contact: 01530 277363 or tsa@forestway.leics.sch.uk to reserve your place, Where better to train to teach than in one of our schools?

Role reversal at CEVA Logistics

On 25th June fourteen intrepid ‘art of brilliance’ students went to CEVA logistics

company in Ashby to help them with their Leadership and management training.

They had to present a “Mission Impossible” challenge which meant standing in

front of some of the most influential and resourceful people in the county. This

was a daunting task but the Year 10 students coped with it admirably. Standing

around the table in an Alan Sugar type boardroom the thoughts of “What if I go wrong?” quickly turned

into “I’m doing it – and I’m enjoying it!!” as the day went on. The CEVA delegates were given the task of

putting together a careers lesson that they would deliver to our students. The only help that could be

given was by our students who would help – if they were asked the right questions....

Jodie Knapp, Oskar Ross, Mary Harper, Niamh Langridge,

Gabriela Jankiewicz, Harriet Wilton, Briony Sharpe, Ella

Pollard, Gina Hayes, Vicki Yates , Alex Reid, Leah

Williams, Megan Hall then became consultants of

education. They were asked how to make the lessons

interesting and the activities that would make lessons

memorable. Our students watched and helped as these

creative business people who were used to leading

others had a role reversal. Our students became leaders,

their leaders became students. The art of brilliant

students worked in pairs with the CEVA delegates and

quickly eased their thoughts with “Our students are

brilliant and you will enjoy teaching them – if you make it

interesting!”

That is what happened. When student minds and business

creativity met, the outcome was a career based lesson about

how to do well in interviews, writing CV’s and even a ‘how to get

fired!” section. Under the watchful eye of the Year 12 art of brilliant

coaches Sam Rossell, Amaarah Hassim, Jess Pollard, Frances

Bayliss and Jack Corten, their expertise had been passed down

from doing the event when they were in Year 10. As it transpires

one leader had decided that it was such a powerful experience

for him that he decided to leave CEVA and ... become a

teacher!!

As always, the art of brilliance group is open to anyone who wants

to improve their own lives, and as shown in the example above,

help others too.

Mr Burder

Forthcoming Events for Parents and Students 29th September Careers Morning – Visiting speakers from the

World of Work

All Years

14th October Tutor Evening 4.00pm – 6.30pm Years10 and 12

16th October College closed All Years

16th – 23rd October Half term holiday All Years

27th October Tutor Evening 6.00pm – 8.30pm Years 10 and 12

4th November Options Evening for Year 10 starting September

2016

25th November Post-16 Curriculum Evening

The Art of Brilliance delivers yet again!

On July 3rd a group of Year 11 students delivered a workshop for the current year

9’s. In the preparation phase they had to contact a variety of organisations,

liaise with the owners and pitch for funding in a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style. They worked together to decide

who would do each part. The confidence they gained from working together and consulting with big

businesses was incredible to see.

This years’ conference was held at Snibston Discovery Park. Our

current Year 10 students arrived from Newbridge, Castle Rock,

Ibstock and South Charnwood School unsure of what to expect.

They knew this conference was run BY students FOR students. It

was titled ‘the art of being brilliant’. This is the brainchild of Andy

Cope with the purpose of providing straightforward tips on how to

improve lives.

The group of Olivia Barby, Jordan Emery, Alex Goode, Lewis

Combey, Alex Stafford, Ellie Burchell, Chloe Hannabuss, Paige

Green and Dylan Luckman met the 270 students off the bus and directed them to their first activity.

Then they delivered their teaching. Students were with their ‘teachers’

for 50 minutes before moving on a carousel of activities.

The first concept is ‘choose to be positive’ which does what it says on

the tin. The most important idea is that we can be as positive as the

situation ‘allows’ us to be. That includes bringing your Friday feeling

onto a Monday. This means that we can change our thought to “Oh If

only I can get through the week!” to “What if I can inspire someone

this week!” (Even on a Monday!!).

Concept 2 is understanding your impact. This concept suggest that we are triggers as we walk around

school, home, the community and we have an impact on others whether we like it or not.

HUGGS stands for Huge Unbelievably Great Goals and is the idea that each and every one of us can

achieve more than we think – provided we understand where we are going and the steps along the

way. The outdoor practical activity had students having to work together to reach the end AND beat

their opponents.

Bouncebackability suggests that there are times when things do not go as planned. There are things

that we cannot control. After these periods of sadness, disappointment ... there is a light at the end of

the tunnel and that we aim to see it to move forward.

‘Take personal responsibility’ introduces us to the 2%ers. Simply put, there are a variety of people on

the planet who are not doing things the same as others. They look for the positive in situations and as

a result, people want to be around them. The New Year 12 students delivered each presentation with

professionalism and humour. With each presentation these now experts grew in confidence and went

from feeling nervous to enjoying the day. These 2%ers demonstrated that stepping outside of their

comfort zones was tough, but when we do it, we grow. They were a pleasure to work with and I hope

for bigger and better things next year as they being to shape the positivity of King Edward VII.

The Art of Brilliance student team is for everybody. Being part of it allows you to understand and apply

the principles of the most positive people and then be role models for others. It has the potential to

change not only your lives, but the lives of people around you. If you want to be involved there are

meetings at lunchtimes for different year groups. Email me with any questions at

mburder@kinged.org.uk. This

time next year, you could be

a ‘happiness expert’ like the

students who delivered this

brilliant day.

Mr Burder

Sports Day

On Tuesday 7th July students took part in the annual sports day. This was an opportunity for tutor

groups to come together as a team to try and beat the other tutor groups in the college. King Edward

sports day is designed to be a fully inclusive day giving every student the opportunity to take part.

There was a carousel of activities during the morning and the more traditional track events scheduled

in the afternoon.

The students began preparations the week before by designing a tutor group flag and a motto for

their team. They also decided which students would be taking part in the more traditional events in

the afternoon. The heats for the afternoon finals were conducted first with some really good

performances on the track.

The day got off to a fantastic start with all tutor groups taking part in the carousel of activities ranging

from running events, target games and even welly-wanging! Some of the tutor groups had put on

face paint and were ready to give it their all. About 45 minutes in to the events the skies started to turn

grey, but we carried on with optimistic British spirit. This optimism was soon squashed as the skies

opened up with an almighty down pour! We had to end the day early which was a shame as the

students were really beginning to show friendly competitive spirit in their teams.

Despite this set back we rearranged for the track events to take place on Thursday 9th of July when

the weather was much more favourable. All the students came out to support the students from their

tutor group who were competing to gain points to help their team

win. Races included the 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 4 x 100m relay,

egg and spoon race and sack race.

The day’s events were recorded by Mr Meakin, head of ICT, and

Mrs Smith, who stayed on top of the scoring systems throughout the

events to keep track of the leaders and the eventual winners.

Although the first day was disrupted by the weather, the two days

were very successful with all students showing commitment and

collaboration to create a great atmosphere. I would like to thank

the PE department, all King Edward staff and 6th Form

students that helped out with the running of events and

activities; sports day would not be possible without your

support.

And finally, big congratulations to MLB who were the

winning team over the two days gaining 1192 points as a

team!

Mr Thompson

Venice a different view 2015

Sixth Form Study Visit

Over here

Ellie still not

looking!

It has become a tradition of the Design

faculty to organise an annual study visit

abroad for students to experience the art,

architecture and culture of another country.

This year the invitation was extended to all

sixth form students across all subject areas

which gave a greater diversity and overall

lead to a more enriching experience for all

concerned.

Mr Burder searches for students along the Grand Canal

The artwork is admired at the Peggy Guggenheim museum

Any chance of a sit down it’s too hot?

What the students say…..

“ I loved the experience and it also gave me photo’s towards my project and new ideas from the art

galleries it was one of the most amazing trips, I got to know people better, the best part of the trip were

the nights in St Mark’s square when we were all together an incredible atmosphere” Lucy

“ Fab culture & experience, great atmosphere and would go again in a heartbeat” Alix

“Magical” Dom

“The Gondola rides and seeing famous landmarks” Bailey

“I really enjoyed going to Venice. I loved all the architecture and the art. I also enjoyed how the trip

made different groups of friends join together” Beth

“ I enjoyed going to the colourful island as it was very picturesque, the art museum seeing Picasso & Dali

paintings in real life & everyone coming together when busking in the evening” Kaytlyn

“The thing I enjoyed most about the trip to Venice is the culture & visit to the Peggy Guggenheim. The

art work on display was very varied and inspirational” Mary

“Overall Venice was an amazing and enlightening trip. The moment that stands out to me the most

would have to be the Peggy Guggenheim gallery in which I saw a Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol and took

a selfie with Picasso!” Jade

King Edward VII arrives at the

Biennale Art Festival - Venice