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Oakwood Park Grammar School Newsletter

Autumn Term 2008

oakwood

www.opgs.org

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Oakwood Park Grammar SchoolOakwood ParkMaidstoneKent ME16 8AH

click the watermark to return to contents

Autumn Term 2008

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Dear Parents,

As I write this, the Ofsted Inspectors have departed after a one day inspection of our school. Only one day? Well good schools now are only inspected for a day but let me assure you that it was a very full on day!

The report is an incredibly positive one and most importantly, the students of Oakwood Park Grammar School should feel very proud. Well done!

I will write separately to all parents upon publication of the report to give you a more detailed analysis of the significance of the inspection.

As ever this has been an extremely busy term and it is so gratifying to see so many of our students not only achieving well in their subjects but also participating in a wide range of extra-curricular activities.

In particular Stars in Their Eyes is as popular as ever and I am always incredibly impressed at how well organised an event that is largely run by the Sixth Form continues to be.

We also have for the first time in a number of years a major school drama production, scheduled to be performed in the Spring Term. “O What a Lovely War” is a musical satire on the First World War and the cast and Director, Ms Lane, are hard at work rehearsing. I wish them well in their endeavours.

In September Mrs Williams took up her post as our full time Information, Advice and Guidance Co-ordinator. Based in Room 61 Mrs Williams’ role in supporting our students on their future options and possible career paths will be really important and already her work is beginning to have an impact.

The Sixth Form now have a dedicated private study area after the refurbishment of Rooms 45 and 45a. We should at any given time be able to accommodate approximately seventy Sixth Formers for private study.

Spring Term 2008

Introduction

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And now a pause for breath. There will be a lot of work to do next term. Year 11 after the mocks have to focus on achieving their true potential, Year 13, their UCAS application done, must now secure their grades and Year 12 continue to make the important transition to ‘A’ Level study and working habits. For now can I wish all families a very Happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. I am sure you will join me in wishing all the staff at Oakwood Park Grammar School a relaxing break too.

Yours sincerely,

K.W. MoodyHeadteacher

Important Dates for your diaryAutumn Term Ends Wednesday 17th December 2008 (pupilsdismissedafterfinalassembly2.30pm)Spring Term 2009Term begins Monday 5th January 2009CelebrationofAchievementEvening Friday9thJanuary2009–7.30pm.(lastyear’sYear13) intheSchoolHallYear 12 Parents Evening Monday 19th January 4 – 7pm.Year 11 Parents Evening Tuesday 27th January 4 – 7pm.Year 9 Parents Evening Monday 2nd February 4 – 7pm.

HalfTerm Saturday14thFebruaryto Sunday22ndFebruary2009

EarlyClosureEnrichment Thursday22ndJanuaryDay(2pmfinish) Schoolwillfinishat2pm.Ifyouwishyoursonto besuperviseduntil3.25pm,pleasecontactthe school.

Introduction

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dI have always had political aspirations so when, at the beginning of October, a magazine mentioned the Kent Youth County Council (KYCC) I was immediately interested.

IgottoworkcontactingtheCouncilandsentmetheytheforms.ToregisterIhadtocomeupwithashortmanifestoanddidnothavelongtothinkaboutit.Afterafewdaysoftalkingtomyclassmates,IcameupwithalistofthreethingsthatIwouldcampaignon.Theseare:

Tomakeiteasierandsafertotraveltoschoolbybicycleorfoot.TomakethebestpossibleuseofschoolfacilitiessuchaskitchensforeveryoneinKent.Introduceastudentdiscountschemesimilartothoseforuniversitystudentsforstationaryand other supplies.

HavingchosenthethreethingsthatIwasgoingtocampaignon,IhadtoattendafilmingsessionatayouthclubinMaidstonewhereIreadoutwhyIthinkIshouldbeelectedintotheKYCCandwhatIwillbecampaigningonifIgetvotedin.TheshortvideowasthenputontoaDVDandsenttoallofthepollingstationsforthevoterstowatchsotheycouldchoose their preferred candidate.

Nowitwastimetostartcampaigning!Tobegin,theweekbeforetheelectionsIpresentedaten-minuteslotinKS3assembly.Inthis,ItoldeveryonewhatIwascampaigningfor,andansweredtheirquestions.

However,theshortassemblywasonlyseenbyyears7,8and9soIhadtofindawayofreachingyears10and11aswellasthesixthform.TodothisIproducedaposter,whichwasthendistributedineveryregister,whichdetailedmymanifestoandhowtovote.BythetimethatIhadpresentedtheassemblyanddeliveredtheposters,votingweekhadbegun.

IfIamelectedthenIwillbeabletopushmypoliticalambitionsforward.Formanyyearsnow,Ihavebeeninterestedinpursuingapoliticalcareer,andbeingelectedintotheKentYouthCountyCouncilandrepresentingyoungpeopleinKent,wouldbeagreatpersonalachievement.IamlookingforwardtolearningmuchmoreabouttheworkingsofthecountycouncilandworkingwithotheryoungpeoplefromacrossKent.

Ontheotherhand,ifIdonotgetelectedthistimeIwillputevenmoreeffortintonextyear’selectionandwillnotgiveuponreachingmygoal-tobeelectedasoneofMaidstone’srepresentatives on the Kent Youth County Council.

WhateverhappensIwouldliketotakethisopportunitytothankMsHernandeveryoneatOakwoodParkGrammarSchoolforsupportingmycampaignandgettingmethisfar.

TheEditorhasthepleasuretoaddthepost-scriptthatSamuelwaselected!Hewantedtothankthestaffandstudentsfortheirsupport.SpecialthanksshouldgotoJoshFordhamandJamesSheldoninYear12forcoordinatingtheelection.

To view Sam’s Election Campaign poster., visit:

Samuel Watkin’s Election TrailSamuel Watkin

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More than two dozen pupils and staff attended the schools’ performance of ‘Carmen’ at Glyndebourne Opera, near Lewes in Sussex.

AsultrySpanishtavernanditsclienteleofcigaretteworkers,soldiersandsmugglers,allsetinlate19thcenturySaville,gaveusthesettingforoneofthemostenthrallingoperasintherepertoire.

Bullfighters,selfishpolice,strugglingfactoryworkersandtheindomitableCarmen,actedwithnoexaggerationofourpreparatoryextremedescription,entrancedtoaudienceofover1300schoolpupils.Thebawdysceneswerenotlostonthemainlyteenagedstudents.Theconflictofloyaltiesandloveweremadeveryclearbythedramaandthesuperbmusic.

ThegroundsofGlyndebournearestunninginthelateautumnsun.TheWindBandperformeda‘Carmen’selectionintheschoolconcert,manyoftheplayershavingbeento the opera. We are grateful to Mrs Tate for organising the trip and to Mr Clements for returning to drive the mini-bus.

Asyoucanseefrombelow,theMrDwinellandtheMusicDepartmenthavebeenverybusythisterm:

SteelBandtoHarrietsham 14November,6.30to9pmRecorderGrouptoPalaceWoodCP 19November,1.45to3.15,inclyr11s!SteelBandtoKentHeadTeachers’Conference20November,6.30to9pmGCSEyr11soloperformancerecordings 26November,alldayonrotaSteelBandatDofEpresentationevening 27November,earlyeveningRecorderGrouptoMaidstoneMusicFestival30November(Sunday)at5pmCarolServicerehearsalintheChurch 9th(toLunch),10th(to3pm)DecemberCarolServiceinStMichael’sChurch 10December,7.30pmto8.30pm

A Day at the OperaMr Dwinell

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Maths Activity DayThe Year 6 Maths Activity Day has become a regular feature of our Partnership School’s calendar. On Thursday 23rd October 2008 one hundred and fifty Year 6 pupils from Barming, Mereworth, St. Michael’s and Wateringbury Primary Schools attended a special day of Maths activities.

ThedaywasorganisedbyMrsJThomsonwithalotofhelpfromotherstaffandespeciallythoseintheMathsandITdepartments.

OurY12MathsstudentsdidafantasticjoblookingafterourvisitorsthroughoutthedayandtheyalsoworkedextremelyhardasLearningAssistantseitherworkingwithgroupsonthehands-onproblemsolvingactivitiesprovidedbyMathsWorkshoporbyjoiningintheMathsandITtasks.

Inthemorningallthepupilswerekeptbusysolvingavarietyofchallengesandpuzzlespresented by ‘World of Maths’. The real-life challenges provided the chance for all ability levels to participate in solving a variety of problems from a range of colourful displays.

Otheractivitiesthroughoutthedayincludedmathspuzzles,gamesandcollaborativeproblemsolvingtasksrelatingtoshapepropertiesandangles.InIT,thechildrenlearnthowtouseanimationtechniqueson2Dshapes.

ThefinaleofthedaywasTheGrandQuiz.Withthirtyteamsoffivecompetinginarelayracetoanswertwentyquestionstheexcitementbuiltuptoafrenziedlevelbutensuredthat everyone had a day to remember.

Year12studentscommented,“Itwasnicetobeinvolved...ThiswasagooddayfortheY6’sandprovidedagoodrangeofactivities...Fun,challengingandeducational..Thequiz–thebestpart–funtobeamarkerandwatchtheteamsrunaround...Brilliantdaythroughout.”

Mrs J Thomson

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Academic ChampionsTheschool’sexaminationresultscontinuetobepleasingwithsomeoutstandingindividualstudentperformances.AtGCSEthepassrateroseto98%andtherewasacorrespondingincreaseinthenumberofA/A*grades,upto40%fromlastyear’s35%.

Wehadsomerealsuperstars!RoryPrescottgained10A*and1Agradeand,inaddition,cameinthetopfiveoftheentirecountryforallstudentssittingGCSEEdexcelChemistry.GuyMarsdengained9A*grades.Inaddition,therewereoutstandingperformancesfromAlistairAllen,MatthewDelderfield,JonathanDown,KarlHolden,SamuelHolyhead,TomMurton,JamesSheldon,TomVaughan,StephenWhiteheadandRhysWilliamswhoallgained100%A/A*gradesatGCSE,withthemajorityofthesegradesatA*.

AtALevel,thepassrateremainedconstantat100%AtoEgrades,with53%ofallgradesatAorB.ThereweresomefantasticperformancesfromStevenAbnett,JonathanChesman,RalphDyer,MilesFoxley,BenHolmes,JeffreyRowley,JasonShardlow-Wrest,RobertSharp,ThomasSlater,AshokStallyChudasamaallgainingaminimumofthreestraightAgrades.

Onthebasisofthe2008examinationresults,theschoolwasawardedBestPerformanceofaBoys’GrammarSchoolinGraphicsandFilmStudiesbytheGoodSchoolsGuide.

Sporting ChampionsSeveralofourstudentshavealsoenjoyedsportingsuccessoneitheraregional,nationalorinternational level.

JoePiggott(Year10)hasrepresentedKentinhisagegroupatbothCricketandFootball,BillyJames,TomBarnes(Year12),BenSummers,MorganHellen,AlexCaine(Year11)andNickPenny(Year9)haverepresentedKentinRugby,andSamChapman(Year11)hasrepresentedKentinFootball.SamGreig(Year9)hasrepresentedtheSouthEastinJudo.Atanationallevel,JamesIreland(Year9)competedattheNationalArcheryChampionships,JamesHallandJamesOwen(Year8)aremembersoftheBritishEliteGymnasticsSquad,SamCooper(Year11)isamemberoftheBritishSkyAcademy,JonnyBettsandStuartBettshaverepresentedBritaininInlineHockey.

MorganHellen(Year11)andSamBlackwell(Year12)continuetoexcelinrowingonanationalandinternationallevel.MostrecentlySamgainedabronzemedalintheBritishIndoorRowingChampionshipsintheJuniorMen’sLightweightCategoryandisbeingenteredforaBritishlongdistancerowingtriallaterthismonth.CharlieTalbotandRyanMitchellarefollowinginthefootstepsofMorganandSambycompetingandenjoyingsuccessintheNationalRowingChampionshipsattheendofthelastacademicyear.

The Academic and Sporting Heroes of OPGS

Mrs J.Bevan

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Onthe17thofJuly,2008,wearrivedattheschoolat6:00.Weweregoingtostaythenightintheschoolandhavepiazzaandgames.Itwouldalsoavoidthearrivalof20carsatLondonHeathrowAirportatanunsociablehourthenextmorning!IsharedaChickenandMushroompizzawithothersinmyteam.Justwhatthedoctorordered!Thenextmorningat5:30amweallwokeupandboardedtheminibusesforHeathrow.The18thwasalsomybirthday–andIenjoyedcelebratingat40000feet–notsomethingyoudoeveryday!

FirsttoHolland,thentoNorway.WetoucheddowninChristiansandlateafternoon.Afewhourslater,wesetupcampintheactivitycentrewerewewouldbebased.Wegottheonce-in-a-lifetimeopportunityofsleepinginTepees!Laterthatevening,weventuredouttotheislandinthemiddleoftheriverandstayedthereforseveralhours.Atmidnight,wefinallycamebacktothetepeesforbed.

Thenextday,theweatherdecidedtoimitatethatofBritain–itrainedconstantlyformostoftheday.Nowinourseparateteamsofabout10peopleineach,Team2(myteam)gotdroppedatthebottomofapathwhichleadupthesideofthefjord.Theonlywayweknewweweregoingtherightwaywastheoccasionalsplashoforangepainteveryhundredmetrestomarkthepath.NorwegianmapsarenothingcomparedtotheOSmapsavailableofBritain.Thankfullyspiritswerenottoodampenedbytherain!

Atabout3oclock,wehadourfirstcasualty–Swapnilfelloveronarockandappearedtohaveabrokennose.Hehadtobeairliftedoutbyahelicopter(whicharrivedthreehourslater)whilesomepeopletrudgedonandfoundacamparea.Therestofustookcoverunderamakeshiftshelter,constructedwithatentouterandlotsofwalkingpoles.Later,thehelicopterrippedthecanvas,sowewerespenttherestofthetreksleepingwithfourpeopleinatent,insteadofthethreepertentwehadoriginallydecided.

Tom MurtonWorld Challenge

Mission.... 8 day expeditionLocation... Norway Time... 18th – 25th July 2008-09-23

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Theseconddaytrekkingalsopouredwithrain.MyshoeswerestillwetfromthedaybeforeanditfeltlikeIwaswalkinginabath!Thankfully,wehadnomoreinjuries.Wecompletedourtrekupthemountain,arrivingatthesummit(762m)forlunch.Therewasabriefburstofsunshineforthispoint,soIcouldtakemycoatoff.Afterlunch,wetrekkedaroundalake,arrivingbackatlastnight’scampsiteagain.Wedecidedtopicksomeberriesandmadeaberry/oats/applemuckwithsugarfromtheplane.Can’tsayitwasthemostdeliciousjamIhaveevertasted,butwehadmadewithourownhandsanditwasawelcomedeserttothe pasta main course.

Atlast,thesunshoneforourlastdaytrekking.Spiritswerehigherthanthewetdays.Therestofthetrekwasfairlyuneventful,apartfromDanfallingonhisbumseveraltimes,andMissBeneey(junior)joininghimononeoccasion!Wealsoarrivedbackatthecampsiteseveralhourslaterthananticipated,aswehaddroppeddownthemountainsideinthewrongvalley!Wehadtopostponethestartofthecanoeventuretothenextdaybecauseofthis.However,wehadaniceeveningdryingoutsoddenclothesandsleepinginthetepees.

Thecanoepartoftheexpeditionwasthemostenjoyable–twodaysofglorioussunshine.Weweredroppedabout10kmupstreamofthecampsite,atanotherlittleactivitycentre.Therewereinterestinglogbuildings.Istartedtotakeapictureofthesebuildings–butMrMillerwasdoingacartwheel,andthinkingIwastakingapictureofhiscartwheel,hecontinuedhistricks!

Whenwefinallytooktothewater,wehadalittlepracticepaddle,thensetoffdownstream.Iamhappytoreportthatno-onefellinorcapsized,althoughwedidhavefunswimmingandjumpingoffsomerocks.Thewaterwascrystalclear–wecoulddrinkfromit.Itwasmuchbetterthantapwater.Wecampedovernightonasandbeachandhadacampfire.I’llneverforgetwakingupinahottent–pureheaven!Istartedtobuildasandcastle,butitdidn’tstayupforlong.Withmuchregret,wecontinueddownstreamtothedamandgotaliftbacktotheactivitycentre.Therestoftheeveningwasfree.

Ourlastday–wevisitedthenearbytownofEvjeinthemorning,andwentwhitewaterraftingintheafternoon.Iwasdreadingtherafting,butIactuallyenjoyeditandhadawhaleofatime.Reunitedwiththeotherteam,weenjoyedaBBQintheevening.

Thenextdaywasasadone–leavingthepicturesqueNorwaybehindforthedoomandgloomofLondon.Itwasgreattoseemyfamilyagain,butIwouldmuchratherhavehadanotherweekinNorway.Astheoldsayinggoes–alwaysleavethemhungryformore.Ihope to return some time soon.

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Sam JenningsForthefirstmaindayIhadtoleadourgroup.ThiswasaveryimportantdayasIwastheonewhohadtolookaftertheticketsandmakesurethateveryonegotthroughpassportcontroletc.IfirsthadtogetusthroughHeathrowandthenIhadtomakesurethateveryoneinthegroupgotthroughAmsterdamairport.ThiswashardformebecauseobviouslyIhadneverdoneanythinglikethatbefore.AlthoughIwastoldthatIhaddoneverywell.WhilstintheairportwesawtheWestHamsquadwhichwasquiteexcitingandafewofusgottheirautographs.Team1weremuchbetterthenTeam2aswell!

Richard HigsonTherewasaslightincidentonthefirstdayofhiking,inthepouringrainandhowlingwind(pleasantweatherinNorway),acertainpersonwhowillremainnameless(SwapnilShah)slippedonawetrockcausinghimtofallandbreakhisnose.TheconcussedSwapnilwasplacedinahastilyerectedshelterformedfromatentandnumerouswalkingpoles.

Wethenwaitedforthespeedyarrivalofthemountainrescuehelicopter,itonlytook4hourstoarrive(andtothink,itcost£15,000).Evenwhenthehelicoptercameitperformedthekindserviceofrippingthetentandblowingourkitdownthemountainside.Consequentlywehadarathercrampedandwetnightatouremergencycamp½mileaway.

Noteforfuture:donotsustainanylife-threateninginjuriesonamountaininNorway,youwilldiebeforehelparrives!

Andrew Lamb Wehikedfor10hoursintheblazingheatonthethirddaybecauseofRichardashewentmissingandwewalkedoverthetrack.Thismeantthatwehadtowalkforalongtime.Whenwegottothebottomwegotaliftbacktothecentreratherthanwalkanother3kilome-tres.Wemanagedtogettothehighestpointformilesaroundwhichwasverycool.Wewentupmanymoreupthanourguidethoughtwouldhappen

Six more of our Oakwood Park explorers report on their Norwegian adventure

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James HaymanWhileoutinthewildernesswedidn’tfollowpaths,wejusthadtofollowmarkersontreesandrocksorourleaderwouldpointtosomewhereinthedistanceandsaywewouldhavetogetthere.SomeofthejourneywashardbutitwasagreattripandI’mgladIwent.

Dan CrittendenWehadabrilliantdayofcanoeing,thesunwasoutforthefirstdayofthetripandthelakelookedabsolutelybeautiful.IwasinacanoewithTomBarlowandwewereabsolutelyexhaustedasthedaybeforewehadhikedforpracticallytheentiredaybecauseofourleader’sunwillingnesstoreadmapscorrectly.

Thatnightwasbrilliantaswecampedonasmallsandybeachandwiththesunoutuntilabout11pmwecouldgoswimmingandhaveacampfire.ItwasanexcellentopportunitytocatchupwithSwapnilandMrMillerafterSwapnilhadbeenairliftedoffthemountainonlyafewdaysbefore.ThatwasmyfavouritenightasweweresittinginthetentandIenthusiasticallyaskedRichard:“Whatdoyoudoatweekends?”herepliedwith“ImakeJAM!”whichofcoursewasutterlyhilariousandwasthecentreofalljokesfortheremainder of the trip.

NowthewholeyearknowsaboutRichard’sloveofjamandhisfavouritebiscuitswhichareofcourse‘JammyDodgers”.OverallthetripwasabrilliantexperienceandIwillneverforgetRichardandhisjamantics!

Tom BarlowAspartofworldchallengewetalkedalotaboutjam.Didyouknowajambecomesaconserveifitisover40%fruit?Welearntlotsonthistrip,thethingthatsticksinmymindishowteamworkmeansnothing,andwhenhalfwayupamountainitthefreezingcoldandlotsofrainitiseverymanforhimself!InNorwaycannibalismisnotillegal,thismadeforabanqueteverynight.

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My name is Ilyas Michaelas and I was one of two sixth form students at Oakwood Park Grammar School to be selected for a one day visit to Auschwitz run by the Holocaust Educational Trust.

FirstlyIhadtoattendanorientationseminarinLondonaroundaweekpriortothetripandIhadnoideawhattoexpectfromthis.HavingnotstudiedWW2sinceGCSEmyknowledgeofeventshadbecomeabithazybutluckilynodetailedknowledgewasrequired.

Witharound200studentsfromotherschoolsaroundKent,wewereawedintosilencelisteningfirsthandtotheaccountofasurvivor,JosefPerl.HisstorywasadepressingonebutalsoupliftinghearingtheaccountsofbraveryamongsttheJewishprisoners,andJosefhimself,whostooduptotheircaptivestonoavail.

Thetripitselfwasbuiltupgradually.FromtheairportwewentstraighttoaJewishcemeteryinOswienciawhereweweretoldabouttheNazisoldiersrippingupgravestonesto use as paving.

ThemostupliftingpartwasthatwhentheJew’sreturnedhome,theypainstakinglyduguptheroadsandre-laidthegravestones.WethenmovedontoAuschwitzandthefirstthinkInoticedwashownormalitlooked.Itcouldhavejustbeenanormalprisonor,withoutthefences,evenacamp.Walkingthroughthefamousgates,Iimaginedwhatitmusthavebeenlikeforprisonersexpectingmaybesomehardlabourbutnothingmore.Weweretakenroundingroupsandshowntheawfulconditionsprisonersfaced,withupto20peopleinroomswithjust6beds.

WalkingthroughthegaschamberwheresomanypeoplemettheirendswasjusttoomuchforafewpeoplehoweverthemostharrowingpartofthedaywasthevisittoAuschwitzII–Birkenau.Thiswasthepurposebuiltdeath-campwheresomanypeoplediedjustbecauseoftheirraceandbeliefs.Prisonerswerekeptinstableswhichwerejudgedunfitforhorsesandpackedsotightlythattheyhadtositbacktoback.ItlookedlikeawastelandwheretheNazi’shadtriedtodestroyevidenceofthemurders.

Oncenightfell,thegroupgatheredattheendoftherailwaytrackwheretheArchbishopofCanterbury,RowanWilliams,andtheChiefRabbi,SirJonathanSachs,remindedusofourdutyashumanbeingstomakesuresuchanatrocityneverhappensagain.Walkingdowntherailwaytrackandlayingdowncandlesafterthisgaveusallachancetoreflectonthedayandtheexampleofevilwehadwitnessed,andwhatweallhopedwouldneveroccuragain.

We Must Never ForgetIlyas Michaelas

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Our year 10 students had a great time honing their bench skills to make their ‘iodine clock reaction’ change colour as close as possible to 3 minutes.

Thepictureshowsthesynchroniseddemonstrationatthestartoftheactivitiesonthe25September.(Imustpointoutthatcrouchingdowninachemistrylaboratoryisnotgoodbenchpractice-youknowwhoImean!).

Thestudentsworkedinteamstofindtheoptimumconcentrationofsodiumthiosulphatetouseinthereaction.Thentheyhadtodemonstratetheirwinningformulatotheirpeers.

Theteamclosestto3minutesmanagedanimpressive2minutes57seconds!

CongratulationstoTomJohnson,JoePigot,ChrisCarroll,WillCoffinandDanGillwhowereawardedasmallprizeaswellasKeyStage4points.

Beat the Clock!Mr Hunter

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Ms Lane has had a busy term auditioning, casting and rehearsing for the performance of Oh! What a Lovely War! a satirical musical parodying the popular culture of the 1914-1918 World War.

Oakwoodhasaconspicuouspresenceinthesportingarena,butourcreativesidehasremainedmoreprivateforanumberofyears.DramaClub,startedbyMsHernin1994hascontinuedtorunundertheguidanceofMrsRenshawandnowMsLane,butnowholeschooldramaproductionshavebeendonefor9years.Thatis,untilnow!

Congratulationstothestudentsbelowwhohavebeencastintheplay!

YEAR 7Cameron Pierson S7Mark Wyatt C7Samuel Perry S7Conor Panayi S7

YEAR 8Shina Oguntoye P8Luke Saunders C8Ewan Mcguigan X8Josh Littler X8

YEAR 10Tom Hackney C10Lewis Byrne T10Hugh Fundell-Williamson X10Ryan Gibson C10Chester Clough T10Bash Gaire T10Jamie Blackwell

YEAR 11Chris Carr S11Swapnil Shah X11Joshua Martin X11Dan Crittenden X11Tom Barlow P11Elliot Berger C11

YEAR 12Matt Baker JKYWill Owen DSPConnor Monaf RMTTom Murton DSP

YEAR 13Alex Saul LAWBen Fowler JSLRichard Kember MACMatt Sweeting DSP

GIRLSJosephine Donohue JKYSophie Stratton RMTLauren McCourt MACEllie Heyburn JSLNicola Clarke JSLJo Perry PABSam James JSL

Oh What a Lovely War!

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When most people go into Maidstone they are in such a rush that they don’t stop to admire the beautiful architecture and ornate carvings.

HoweverinOctober,Year9werechallengedtoseekoutsomeofthehiddenwondersofthetownonarecentenrichmentdayastheyweresentonatowntrailtoanswerquestionsandidentifyaseriesofphotos.Asweembarkedandbegantofindthedesignatedlocationwewanderedtothemuseumw

herewerequestedanswersbutweresooncaughtredhandedbyteachersarmedwithacamera!Luckilywehadtheexcusethatsomeofthephotosinthetrailwerepartofthemuseum. Ithinkthateventhefewwhowerenotlookingforwardtothedayfoundthetown’samazinghistoryinterestingandwereassurprisedasmosttolearn:

GeorgeWashington’sgrandfatherlivedinthetownandhiscoatofarms(justvisibleabovethepostofficeonBankStreet)wasthefirstversionoftheAmericanflag.Therewereholdingcellsatthetopofthetownhall(nowaninformationcentre)whereconvictswouldawaittrial.SirThomasWyattstagedhisrebellionagainstQueenMary’sCatholicreign.TherehavebeenburningsinMaidstoneincludingthatofSusannahLottwhomurderedherhusbandbutmostoftheburningswereforheresy.

Sonexttimeyouarerushingaroundtownshopping,stopandthinkofwhat’shappenedinthetownovertheyears.Ifyouwanttotakeitfurthervisittheinformationcentreorthemuseum,findoutaboutthetown!

Oh What a Lovely War! Exploring

MaidstoneJamie Russell P9

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These images were sent to Oakwood Park by two of the charities supported by fund raising activities at the school.

Thechildren’ssmilesaretestimonytothehardworkputintofundraisingbystaff,studentsandparentsatOPGS.MissTipphasworkedparticularlyhardtopromoteandorganisecharity events at the school.

Wewouldliketosendevenmorechildrensupportedbythesecharitiesonsimilaradventuresinthefuture,sopleasesupporttheschoolbygivinggenerouslytoStarsinYourEyesandtheShoeBoxcampaign.

House of Angels

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dThe soloists below were some of the stars of the Autumn Concert held at Oakwood Park Grammar School on the evening of 6th Nov 2008.

Alistair Allen Gigue G F Handel

Daniel Stearn Etude in Bb S Heller

Robert Ray Romance anon.

Daniel Crittenden Tango Estar Noche Lindsey-Clark Sam Oakley Si Bheay Si Mhar Irish trad.

Pierre Flasse See the Conquering Hero G F Handel

Alex Brabyn Sonata in A Scarlatti

Laurence Murton Clarinet Blues M Mier

Nelson Sinclair-Strong Sonatina Kabalevsky

Thomas Metalle Railroad Blues Blackwell

Dodecaphonics South African Samba Will Michael

Samuel Holland Propane Nightmares Pendulum w/CD

Matt Burton Stairway to Heaven Led Zepplin

Michael Smith Save it for the bedroom You Me at Six+group

Nick Fields The Chicken J Pastorius+group

Distopia: Joe Garoghan Bulls on Parade Rage Against the Machine +group

Jack Griffiths Pride and Joy Stevie Ray Vaughn

Fred Clark A part in the Tide F Clark

Autumn Concert

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Ryan Llewellyn, Andrew Benstead, Charlie Hickling C11, Guy Mitchell T9, Charlie Talbot C10, Ryan Gibson C10, Matthew Gundry C11, Ryan Waring C10, Chris Hume X10 and Ryan Mitchell C10 tell you about Oakwood’s opening evening!

OnThursday2ndofOctoberOakwoodParkGrammarSchoolopeneditsdoorstothecrowdsofnewYear5and6boysfromalloverthecounty.

Thisyeartherehasbeenasignificantchangeinthesystemofthe11+.UnlikepreviousyearspupilsnowsittheexaminSeptember,onlyweeksafterbeginningYear6.ThismeanspupilsnowreceivetheirresultsinlateOctoberandapplyfortheschooloftheirchoicebythe 7th of November.

EveryyearOakwoodParkisopenedallowingyear5sand6stoviewitsclassroomstogetabetterideaofwhattheschoolislike.Thecuriousnewchildrenareshownaroundtheschoolbyourveryownpupilswhoactasguides,andintroducethefamiliestothedifferentpartsoftheschooltogivethemabetterideaofwhattoexpect.

Whilebeingshownaroundtheschool,thepossiblefuturepupilsgettoexplorethedifferentdepartmentsoftheschool,includingScience,Technology,Languagesandmanyothers.TheexcitedboysgettoparticipateinmanydifferentactivitieswhilebeingshownaroundsuchassomesmallexperimentsintheSciencelabsandevensomegamesintheworkshop.Allinallthisprovidesafunexperiencefortheboyswhilstalsoshowingthemwhattheycanexpectiftheychoosetojointhisschoolnextyear.

Oakwood Opens Its Doors To Future Pupils

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d‘This is the best Maths lesson ever!’OpeneveningprovidestheteachersofOPGSwithachancetoshowtheparentswhatgoesonintheirspecificlesson.MrMansonofmaths,whiledescribingtheschool’snew‘Quizdoms’said,‘It’sagoodinteractionbetweenteachersandstudentswhichdisplaysagooduseoftechnology.’HowevernotonlyMrMansonwasenjoyinghimselfinmaths.AndrewWhite,anewyear6,said‘ThisisthebestMathslessonever!’Whocoulddisagree?‘Wehopethatnewstudentsgetexcitementfromlookingatwalls.’

MeanwhileintheSciencedepartmenttheboyswereabletoparticipateinfunexperimentswheretheygettoburnseveraldifferentvarietiesoffood.TheeagerDr.GoodmanofBiologysaid‘WehopethatnewstudentsgetexcitementfromlookingatthedisplaysonthewallsandpracticalexperimentstoinspirethemtocometoOakwood.’InChemistry,MrHunterwasdrawinganexceptionallylargecrowd.Astheyear6swatchedinawe,MrHunterquicklyexplodedsomeOxygeninahugefireball,andtheparentsjumpedbackinshock!

‘I’m really enjoying my time in art.’Thestudentsthemselveswhohelpasguidesorworkinindividualclassroomsreallyweredoingagoodjobinhelpingtheparentsoftheyear6sunderstandwhattheschoolislike.JamesWelch,workingintheArtexperiencesaid,‘I’mreallyenjoyingmytimeinart.’WhileMichaelComfortofLatinsaid‘LotsofpeopleseemtobeinterestedinLatin.Verysurprisingsinceit’snotawidelyspokenlanguage.’

‘Michael Jackson Earth song in Geography – very motivational.’Inthehumanitiesdepartment,OllieBournerwasattractingacrowdofbuddinggeographers.Asthenewstudentsentered,hehappilyshowedthemGoogleEarth,andtheyear6sthoroughlyenjoyedthis.However,insteadoflookingattheirhouses,mostprimarystudentstypicallylookedatthenearestfootballstadium.

AstimestartedtocloseinonMr.Moody’sspeech,thecrowdsstartedtomove.Peopleseatedthemselvesinthehall,andawellearnedrestwashadbyallstudents.Whilsthisspeechwasinfullswing,theguidesswitchedplaces.Theyear10sarrivedunderthewatchfuleyes of Miss Tipp.

‘Impeccable attitude of the Oakwood students.’Afterthespeech,Mr.Hunterwasstillonform,explodingHydrogenballoonsandattractingtheparents.Hesaid,‘OneWomancommentedthatshewasnotconsideringvisitinganotherschoolduetotheimpeccableattitudeoftheOakwoodstudents.’MeanwhileintheTechnologyDepartment,year11studentJamieHannsaid‘I’mreallypleasedtheyhaveatechnologydepartmenthereasIlovemakingthings’.

‘Yeah, this is fun!’InthePEdepartmentexciting200mracesweretakingplace.TheYear6’swerebeingputthroughtheirpacesbyMr.Buckleywhowasalsoofferingadviceonthecorrectrowingtechnique.AswellastheYear6ssoakinguptheatmosphere,theparentswerealsogettinginvolved.OneYear6whotookpartinaracesaidafterwardsitwas‘quiteeasyactually’.Meanwhile,alargecrowddevelopedasthefencingbegan.TomCraskeandDanGillbattleditout,andTomafterwardsexclaimed,‘Yeah,thisisfun!’

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d‘Lidl food is the best!’ThelanguagesroomhadputonabuffetofvaryingEuropeanfoodswhicheveryonewasenjoying.AswellastheYear5’sand6’stryingthefoodparentsandteachersweretuckinginaswell.Theschoolspent£400onthefoodandMissWolker-Siraexclaimed‘Lidlfoodisthebest!’

‘History is amazing!’The History department put on a fantastic array of activities. This featured interactive games aswellasavideoofaninterviewintheColdWarvoicedoverbyOakwoodParkstudents.MissRobinsonwasmakinganoutstandingefforttodrawintheYear6’s.Shedidthisbyshowingthemvideosoflessonsthathavetakenplace,aswellasexplainingwhattheylearnin lessons.

The night was a fantastic success and many of the parents went away with a great impression of Oakwood Park Grammar School. The team of reporters were outstanding in finding information about the night. However they could not get a quote out of Mr. Watkins because he claimed he was ‘too serious for them’.

Oakwood Park Grammar has a fantastic array of sporting pupils, in areas such as football, rugby and athletics. But, as ever, the school is looking to involve its pupils in new and exciting prospects, one of which is golf.

InOctober,threepupilstookpartintheDivision2KentSchoolsGolfChampionshipatDartfordGolfCourse:WillSaundersofS10,andCharlieHicklingandTobyPughe,bothofC11.Division2comprisesjuniorgolfersofhandicaps20to12,andtheeventinvolvedover20competitorsfromlocalschools,includinglongstandingrivalsofourownOPGS,MaidstoneBoysGrammar.

Thecoursewasinsuperbcondition,mostnotablythegreenswerespectacularlyquick,withtheballrollingwell.Thecourseislessthan6000yardslongandwellwooded,withmanytree-linedfairways,sotheadvicefromOPGSP.E.teacherMr.Devonaldwas“leavetheDriverathome”.Althoughrainheldoff,theeventwasheldonatypicallydewyautumnmorning,andeventhoughthesunmadealateappearance,thescoresreflectedtheslighthindranceoftheweather,withthewinningscore(ofnett3underpar)comingfromagolferstudying at Rainham.

ThehighestplacedgolferfromOakwoodwasC11’sCharlieHickling,finishingin3rdwithanevenparnettscoreof69,offahandicapof19.TobyPugheandWillSaunders,whoplayoffhandicapsof20and14respectively,bothcamebackwithoverparscores,butstillplayedtheirpartinwhatwasverymuchateamcampaign.

Despitenotproducingawinningperformanceforthe2008competition,OPGShopestoproduceastrongerturnoutforthenexteventafterathoroughlyenjoyableday.

Kent Schools Golf Championship Charlie Hickling

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Oakwood Park Grammar School is delighted to have a partner school in Rheinland-Pfalz, Germany.

ThelinkcameaboutviatheGlobalGateway,whenwetriedtofindaschoolinterestedinstartingupanEco-Projectwithus.TheEnglishteachersattheGeschwister-SchollGynmnasiuminDaunreplied,andwesetupthelinkin2007.

Theinitialstudentcontactstartedwithe-mailcorrespondenceandvideoconferencesinautumn2007.ThenwetravelledtoDaunfora5-dayvisitinMarch2008.Mostofthe25studentsstayedwiththeirpen-friends’families;theothersstayedatthelocalyouthhostel.DuringthevisitwewenttoTrierandKölnonday-trips.Twodayswerealsospentinschool.Atthesametime,weweretryingtogetsomefundingforourEco-Project,scheduledtobegininSeptember2008.WewereluckyenoughtosecureaComeniusGrantfromtheBritishCouncilfor€22.000,whichwillenableustoworkontheEco-Projectinthetwoschools,andtocontributetotheexpensesoftheexchangevisitsbetweentheschools,untilJuly 2010

ThefirstvisitfundedbythisgrantoccurredinOctober2008.21Germanstudentsand5membersofstaffcametoMaidstonefor10days,andweallenjoyedawidevarietyofactivities.Inschool,thestudentsvisitedsomelessonsandusedourextensiveITfacilitiestodeviseaquestionnaireonenvironmentalawarenessandrecycling,whichwillbepartoftheKPIsurveycompletedbyourstudents.TheGermanstudentsalsocompletedaTownTrailinMaidstoneandtouredtherecyclingplantatAylesfordNewsprint.Thestudentswerehosted by the families of their pen-friends.

Whatofthefuture?Well,wearealreadyplanningareturnvisittoGermanyin2009tocontinuewiththeproject.Inthemeantime,theEnglishstudentswilltakepartinsomelunch-timeandEnrichmentDayactivitiesbasedontheresearchbegunlastmonth.Wewillalsomakeuseofe-mailandvideoconferencingtocompareourfindings.

Thisexchangeisonlypossiblewiththesupportoftheparentsandstaffatbothschools;familylinksarevitaltoenablestudentstohavearealexperienceoffamilylifeintheothercountry.Weareverygratefultoallparentsandguardianswhohavesupportedusinthepast and hope to encourage more participants to become involved in the future.

The web-site of our partner school is http://gsg-daun.de

Our German Partner School

Mrs Marriott

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d Last year I started helping with the school recycling programme.

Mrs.Hernaskedmetobringtotheotherboy’sattentiontheimportanceofbeing“GREEN”andtomakethemawareofwhatweallcandoatOPGS.AllaroundtheschoolIplacedpostersaboutrecyclingandItookontheresponsibilitybylookinginmysparetimeforsomenewtrolleystomakethejobeasierIfoundsomefoldablewheelbarrowsinashopwhichwereidealwenowhavetwoofthese.

Thishelpedwiththerecyclingbymakingusabletodoitquickerandmoreefficientlywithouthavingtohurtourbackscarryingtheload.!ThenextchallengewastoorderussomenewbinsfromtheKCC;wespottedsomereallygoodcardboardbinsfortheI.Tdepartmentandtheoffices.

Wehopetotakedeliveryofthesesoon.ItisallourresponsibilitytolookafterourenvironmentandtherecyclingprogrammeisagoodwayforpupilsandStafftoworktogether to do this.

If you would like to earn merits for saving the environment, see Ms Hern in the Hall on Friday breaktimes.

Kieran Stigle

ECO-Warriors Unite

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For Oliver Cole this year’s Remembrance Day had, for the first time, a personal touch.

OliverJoeColestandsbythegraveofhisgreat,greatuncleValentineJoeStrudwickfamousastheyoungestsoldiertodieinWorldWar1.Hewas,likeOliver,15whenhedied,killedbyashellinFlandersandisnowburiedinEssexFarmCemeterynearYpres,Belgium.

Oliverhadthechancetopayhisrespectsatthegraveofhisfamousrelativewhenhevisitedthebattlefieldsiteswithhisschool,OakwoodParkGrammar,whorunthetripaspartoftheirEnrichmentprogramme.Herecallsthemomentwhenthecrowdsofstudentsaroundthegravepartedsothathecouldseethegraveofhisgreat,greatuncle,forthefirsttime.‘Ifeltproudtohaveamanlikethatinmyfamily’.

ValentineJoeStrudwick,orjustJoeashepreferredtobecalled,wasbornonValentine’sDay1900.Lyingabouthisage,hejoinedthe8thRifleBrigadeaged14yearsand11monthsandbecameoneoftheyoungestservingsoldiers.WithonlysixweeksoftraininghewassenttoFranceandwithinacoupleofmonthshelostbothofhisfriendswhowerekilledwhilestandingnexttohim.Afterbeinggassedhewassenthomeandspent3monthsinhospitalinSheerness.

OnrecoveringherejoinedhisregimentinFrancebutwassoonkilledbyashellonJanuary14th1916.Thelettertohismotherread‘..hisbodywascarriedtoacemeterybehindthelines,whereitwasreverentlyburiedthismorning’.

TheEssexFarmCemetery,whereRiflemanStrudwickisburied,waswhereJohnMcCrae,aCanadianMedicalOfficer,wrotethefamouspoem‘InFlandersFields’inwhichthedyingsoldiers‘throwthetorch’tothelivingsothatwedonotforgettheirloss.OliverJoeCole,whosharesthesamemiddlenameashisgreat,great,uncleisproudnottoforgetValentineJoeStrudwick.

Remember Valentine’s Day

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After being a member of the Maidstone Youth Forum for over a year, when the chance came to apply for leader, I thought I would be an appropriate candidate for the role.

IhadtowriteamanifestoexplainingwhattraitsIthoughtIhadthatwouldmakemetherightpersontobeleader.IalsohadtosaywhichissuesIwouldliketocampaignon,thesewere;asetageforyoungpeopletopayadultprices,aplaceforyoungpeopletogo,andtochange the bad stereotype that is given to young people by many adults.

TheelectionstookplaceintenschoolsacrosstheareaaswellasinFremlinWalkandTheMall.OnthesedaysImadesureIcouldbewherethevotingwastakingplacetomakesureIcould publicise my manifesto and get as many votes as possible.

Whenthevotingtookplaceinschools,Icouldn’tbeapartofthevotinguntilitcametoOakwood.OnthedayofvotingattheschoolIencouragedpeopletoreadmymanifestoandvoteforme.IwouldliketosaythankyoutoeveryonewhovotedformeintheMaidstone Youth Forum elections.

Our Maidstone Youth Forum Sophie Drake

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Congratulations to the boys in Y7 and Y8 who represented Oakwood Park at the Sutton Valence Quiz on the evening of Thursday 6th November 2008.

ThecompetitionswereverytightlyfoughtandbothoftheOPGSteamsdidextremelywelldespitesomechallengingquestionsandproblemstosolve.

NineteenteamsenteredtheY7competitionandscoringwasfrantic.TheOPGSteammadeabrilliantstartandwerethefirsttogetanypointsontheboard.Athalftimetheywerejustholdingontotheleadbutanumberofteamswerebeginningtocatchthemup.Thiswasatensetimefortheteam’ssupporters.

Atonestageanyoneofthetop10teamscouldhavewonbuttheteamfromAshfordseemedtocomefromnowhereandstormedawaytowintheU12trophyscoringamagnificent90outofapossible100points.Ourteamfinallyfinishedinaverycreditablejoint7thplacewith55points.

SixteenteamstookpartintheY8competition.Herethescoringstartedoffatamuchslowerpaceandwasnotsuchahighscoringmatch.Thefirstquestionwasparticularlydifficultanditwasalongtimebeforeanyteamgotoffthemark.TheteamfromOPGSwasalwaysincontention,however,twoteamstiedforfirstplaceon50pointswithWellesleyHousesnatchingtheU13honoursinatensetie-breakwithYardleyCourt.TheOPGSteamfinished(justtwoquestionsbehindtheleaders)on40points.

Wewouldliketothankalltheboysandtheirfamiliesforcomingalongandsupportingthem.InparticularabigthankyoutoJamesClarkewho,havingbeentherunnerfortheY7teamwasnominatedtofilledthegapintheY8team.

Y7 (U12)TeamC7NiallSheerin(Captain)X7JamesClarke(Runner)X7AlexCollins-SmithP7PatrickSamuelson

Some example questions for you to tryHow many minutes in three and a half days?If four cats eat 4 tins of cat food in 4 days, how many tins do 40 cats eat in 40 days?How many tiles, each 30cm2, does it take to cover a rectangular floor 6m by 3m?What is the largest number whose name when written out in CAPITAL letters is made entirely of straight lines?The product of two numbers is 143. What is their sum?Three times a number is 14 more than the number. What is the number?

Sutton Valence Quiz Mrs Thomson

Y8 (U13)TeamX8SamWatkinT8AlexBoneT8MatthewSilvesterX7JamesClarke

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Sports Day Records .

Year Seven Event Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m Caine X 12.90 sec 2005 200m McSweeney P 27.00 sec 2002 400m Stearn P 1:10.49 min 2005 800m M. Jones S 2:41.75 min 2007 1500m McGinty C 5:25.34 min 2005 4 x 100m C 1:00.38 min 2005 Javelin Bowles C 22.62 m 2004 Discus Birch S 17.50 m 2002 Shot putt Farrier C 9.62 m 2008 Long Jump McSweeney P 4.12 m

2002

Triple Jump Colyer T 8.83 m 2004 Year Eight Event Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m Nursey P 11.83 sec 2003 200m Caine X 25.98 sec 2006 400m Collins-Smith P 68.86 sec 2008 800m Barton S 2:28.29 min 2004 1500m Murdoch T 5:12 min 2003 4 x 100m P 55.00 sec 2003 Javelin A. Woodger T 30.57 m 2002 Discus Page P 26.44 m 2006 Shot putt Caine X 11.25 m 2006 Long Jump Davidson C 4.64 m

2002

Triple Jump Collier T 9.35 m 2005

Sports Day Records .

Year Seven Event Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m Caine X 12.90 sec 2005 200m McSweeney P 27.00 sec 2002 400m Stearn P 1:10.49 min 2005 800m M. Jones S 2:41.75 min 2007 1500m McGinty C 5:25.34 min 2005 4 x 100m C 1:00.38 min 2005 Javelin Bowles C 22.62 m 2004 Discus Birch S 17.50 m 2002 Shot putt Farrier C 9.62 m 2008 Long Jump McSweeney P 4.12 m

2002

Triple Jump Colyer T 8.83 m 2004 Year Eight Event Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m Nursey P 11.83 sec 2003 200m Caine X 25.98 sec 2006 400m Collins-Smith P 68.86 sec 2008 800m Barton S 2:28.29 min 2004 1500m Murdoch T 5:12 min 2003 4 x 100m P 55.00 sec 2003 Javelin A. Woodger T 30.57 m 2002 Discus Page P 26.44 m 2006 Shot putt Caine X 11.25 m 2006 Long Jump Davidson C 4.64 m

2002

Triple Jump Collier T 9.35 m 2005

Sports Day Records

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Distance Year

100m B.England P 11.83 sec 2007 200m Caine X 25.98 sec 2007 400m Hooker X 68.86 sec 2006 800m M. Patey X 2:28.29 min 2007 1500m Fairclough X 5:12 min 2003 4 x 100m S 55.00 sec 2006 Javelin Smith X 30.57 m 2002 Discus Hann P 26.44 m 2007 Shot putt Caine X 11.25 m 2007 Long Jump McSweeney P 4.64 m

2004

Triple Jump Barden S 9.35 m 2002 Event Year Ten Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m Fellows C 11.49 sec 2003 School Record

Caine X 11.48 sec 2008

200m Caine X 23.26 sec 2008 400m Fagg X 59.00 sec 2003 800m Barton S 2:16.09 min 2006 1500m Fairclough P 4:48.67 min 2004 4 x 100m T 50.47 sec 2003 Javelin Gravenell S 39.15 m 2007 Discus Ham P 27.30 m 2008 Shot putt Odam S 12.00 m 2003 Long Jump McSweeney P 5.24 m

2005

Triple Jump Barden S 11.70 m 2003

Year Nine Event Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m B.England P 11.83 sec 2007 200m Caine X 25.98 sec 2007 400m Hooker X 68.86 sec 2006 800m M. Patey X 2:28.29 min 2007 1500m Fairclough X 5:12 min 2003 4 x 100m S 55.00 sec 2006 Javelin Smith X 30.57 m 2002 Discus Hann P 26.44 m 2007 Shot putt Caine X 11.25 m 2007 Long Jump McSweeney P 4.64 m

2004

Triple Jump Barden S 9.35 m 2002 Event Year Ten Name Form Time /

Distance Year

100m Fellows C 11.49 sec 2003 School Record

Caine X 11.48 sec 2008

200m Caine X 23.26 sec 2008 400m Fagg X 59.00 sec 2003 800m Barton S 2:16.09 min 2006 1500m Fairclough P 4:48.67 min 2004 4 x 100m T 50.47 sec 2003 Javelin Gravenell S 39.15 m 2007 Discus Ham P 27.30 m 2008 Shot putt Odam S 12.00 m 2003 Long Jump McSweeney P 5.24 m

2005

Triple Jump Barden S 11.70 m 2003

Sports Day Records

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The D&T department have recently taken delivery of a laser cutter to replace the CNC router.

Thepotentialforthemachineisenormous,asitresolvesthreemajorproblemsexperiencedwiththerouter;theworkdoesn’thavetobehelddown,theworkareaisbiggerthanasheetofpaperandthecuttinglineisonly.3mmwide. Itiseasytosetupajob;justafewminuteswitheasy-peasy2D-Designandtotransferthedata,anditisblisteringlyfastinoperationcomparedtotherouter.Thelasergenerates80wattswhichistwicethepowerofotherlasermachineswehadbeenlookingat,andtheworkareaisamassive1200x900,twoorthreetimeslargerthanwehadseen.Easilybigenoughtoaccommodatethreemedium-sizedYear7s. Wehavehadalotoffunexperimentingwiththelaser,andfoundthatithasnoproblemdealingwithanyoftheMMBandplasticsweuseintheworkshop,butthatitalsoengravesglass,writesonstone,andpersonalisesfruitandfolders.Aninitialattempttoapplysecurityidentificationtothecoverofalaptop,however,wasabitofaJamesBondvillain-with-a-lasermoment-lotsofsmokeandflames! Themoneytobuythemachinecamefromtheremarkableeffortsoflastyear’sbrilliantKS3pupilswhoraisedloadsonthe5x5x5Walk,thesaleofChristmastowels,thedisposalofthebigbutrelativelyuselessTriacrouterandthereallyniceMrIngramwhofoundtherest. Soit’saprofoundandsincerethankstoallthoseinvolvedinthefund-raising.Andanytimeyouneedapersonalisedkeytag…

The D&T department goes hi-tech! Mr C. Stockwell

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WeweretakingpartinoneoftheirChallengeDayswhichaimtoencouragepupilstocontinuetohighereducationandallowthemtotakea‘handson’approachtolearning.TheschoolhadnevertakenpartinoneofthesebeforesoitwasgoingtobeanewexperienceforallofthestudentsinvolvedaswellasforMrsMageeandMrsLewellwhoaccompaniedus there.

Arrivingatschoolfor7amwasnevergoingtobeeasybuteveryonemanagedandwesetoffpromptlyforCambridge.WeeventuallyhittrafficattheDartfordCrossingsoitwasluckythatweleftwithplentyoftimetospare.Afterawrongturnandendingupinthemiddleofnowhere,MrsMageegaveusallaquickGeographylessonaboutfarmingtogetourbrainsintogearforthedayahead!

WearrivedinthecityofCambridgeat9amandaftereventuallyfindingourcarparkingspaceoutsidetheillustriousTrinityCollege,MrsMageefinalisedthecarparkingwhiletherestofussetoffforWestRoadConcertHall.Withlittleideaofwhereitwas,weneededsomehelpfromUniversitystudentsandamaptofindtherightplace.

UponarrivalattheConcertHall,almostonthedotof10am,thestarttime,weweregivenourpacksforthedayandthensatdowninthehall.Twopostgraduatesandtheirfourunder-graduatesassistantshelpedtogiveusanideaofwhatlifeandteachingislikeattheUniversityandwhyHigherEducationisnowveryimportantforemployers.

Wewerealsotoldthattherearemanyclubs,calledsocieties,thatyoucanbeapartofattheUniversity.TheserangefromthemoretraditionalcomputingandchesssocietiestotheweirdandwackyWinniethePoohAppreciationClubandTheCheeseSociety!Wealsotookpartinalateralthinkingcompetitionwhichwewereabletocompleteduringthetimebetweenactivitiesandafewspareminutesinthemorningandafternoon.

FortheafternoonsessionswewenttotheoldestcollegeattheUniversity,PeterhouseCollege.Afterenjoyingaterrific3courselunchinadinninghalllitbycandles,wehadatouraroundthecollegeandthensatdowninaveryhotroomintheheartofthecollege.

Welearntabouthowtocalculateyourchancesofwinningthelotteryandmanyotherinterestingfactsaboutprobability.SincetheNationalLotterystartedinthe1990’sthenumber38ballhasappearedmosttimeswhilethesupposedlyunluckynumber13ballisthesecondmostinfrequentballtobedrawn.Wealsousedacomputerquizsystemsimilarto“Qwizdom”whichwasgreatfun.

Ourfinalactivityofthedayinvolveddevelopingatestforcreativityandpresentingourtesttotheotherschools.All15ofuswereinthesameteamandalthoughwedidnotwintheminicompetitionweallstillenjoyedthechallenge.

NavigatingourwaybackthroughTrinityCollegeandaroundthehundredsofstudentsonbicyclesthatlinetheCambridgestreets,wesetoffhomeafteragreatday.OnbehalfofallthestudentsinvolvedIwouldliketothankMrsMageeandMrsLewellfortakingusonthetrip.

Andrew Watkin

Year 10 Cambridge University Visit

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On Thursday the 11th of September, year 11 set out early in the morning on a trip to the battlefields and cemeteries of Ypres, in Belgium.

Theoutboundjourneywasrelativelyuneventful,thoughthefilms‘JoyeuxNoël’and‘MyBoyJack’helpedtoheightentheatmosphere,andbringtolifethehistoryofwhereweweregoing.ItwashardtoimaginethepeacefulfarmlandsofBelgiumasthesiteofoneofthebloodiestwarsinhistory,buttheintermittentcemeteriesthataredottedacrossthelandscape remind you of its past.

OurfirststopwasattheIrishCemetery,wherethedeadoftheUlsterforcesandmorewerelaidtorest.Watchingovertheareawasalargetower(seeleft),insidewhichmanystudentssearchedforrelatives.Alongthesideofthepaththatledtothisweremanystones,eachinscribedwiththought-provokingpoetrybysoldierswhohadservedintheGreatWar.

ThenextstopwasSanctuaryWood-amuseumlocatedneartoalargewarmemorial.FromthetopofthememorialyoucouldclearlyseethechurchofYpres-Irecogniseditfromthepictureswehadseenofitinruins.Thememorialhadarrowspointingtowardsthesitesofmajorbattles,bringinghomehowextraordinarilyclosetheyallwere.

Insidethemuseumwasalargevarietyofobjectscollectedfromthesurroundingarea-photographs,armamentsandsuchlike.Thesheernumberofmortarshellsandbulletsisterrifying.Outsidethemuseumwasasectionofpreservedtrench.Theentrenchmentswoundlikesnakesthroughthewood(whichonlyahundredyearsagomusthavebeenlevelled),itwasveryhardtotellwhichbelongedtotheAlliesandwhichwasusedbytheGermanmilitary.Duringthebattlestheychangedhandsmanytimes,andthoughthedistancebetweenthemisshort,itmusthaverequiredmassiveamountsofbraverytochargethroughthemachine-gunfire.

Year 11 Trip to Ypres

Dan Frost

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Dan Frost

AshortcoachjourneytookustotheTyneCotcemetery.Thereweregravesbeyondnumber,somebearingnamesbutaterribleamountwithouteventhat-theseweregravestounknownsoldiers.Thesemenhaddied,butithadbeenimpossibletogivethemthebasicdignityofanamedheadstone.Inthecentreofthecemeterywasalargememorial,whichwasbuiltatopapillbox.Ringingtheareawasamassivewall,carvedwiththenamesofsome34,888soldierswhohadneverbeenrecovered,andsowereneverevengivenagrave.Unfortunatelywecouldnotcomprehenditinitsentirety,asYpresliveduptoitsnicknameandtheheavensopened,andwehadtoreturntothecoach.Sothesoldiersonthewesternfrontdidn’thavetoendureshellfirealone,butalsoextremelywetweather. IthinkitwouldbefoolishforyoutomisinterpretwhatIhavesaidsofar.TheFirstWorldWarepitomisedimperialistaggression.Governmentssentsoldierstodieforreasonstheysurelydidnotagreewith,andcaredlittleforwhathappenedonthefield.Thesoldiersoneachsidewerenormalpeople-theyhadfamilies,friends,lives.TheGermanswerenot,assomemightwronglythink,evilmonsters.TheywerenodifferentfromtheBritish,theFrenchortheRussians,exceptforwheretheywereborn.Sothenextgraveyardwewenttowasparticularly horrifying.

Langemarkisthecemetery(ifyoucancallitthat)fortheGermandead.ThoughitsareawasmuchsmallerthanTyneCot,Langemarkwasthelastrestingplaceforasmanyormorepeople.Thewaytheyhadbeentreatedwasshameful,itmakesmedisgustedtobeBritish.Thosethathadbeengivenagraveatallhadonlyablackslab-insharpcontrasttothebonewhitecrossesoftheBritishcemeteries.Thevastmajority,however,hadbeenplaced(probablywithoutceremony)intoamassgrave.Blackstonesaroundthesideofthismarktheirnames-Iwassaddenedbythediscoveryofonesoldierwhodiedadaybeforetheendofthewar.OurKingsandQueensaregivenastatefuneralwhentheyleavethisworld-thesemensufferedmoreintheirlivesandarepunishedfortheirnationalitybybeingthrowninapitwhentheydie.

Oneofthebuildingsattheentrancestothecemeteryiscarvedinsidewiththenamesofsoldiers.ThesesoldierswerestudentswhodiedintheattackonLangemarkin1914.Ican’timaginemyselforanyofmyclassmatescharginginawarandlosingourlives-buttheseboysdidandtheiragewaslittledifferenttomine.

NextwastheEssexFarmcemetery,smallerthanTyneCotbutstillmassive.OfnotewasthatinthiscemeterywasthegraveofVJStrudwick,theyoungestsoldiertodieinthisareaatonly15.Hehadliedtoenlist,anddiedforit.Hewasprobablyyoungerthanmewhenhedied;again,Ican’timaginethat-heshould’vebeeninschool,notinthetrenches.Amemberofourpartyisarelationofhis,I’msureitwasaveryemotionalexperiencetofindhisgrave.

LastlywewentintoYpresforfood,andafteranhourorsooffreetimeweassembledattheMeninGate.Herearewrittenthenamesofnearly55,000soldiersfromtheBritishEmpireandCommonwealth.Everynight,at8pm,trafficisstoppedandagroupofbuglersplaytheLastPost.Thisisveryemotional,afewmomentsofsilencetocontemplatethedeathsthatwerecausedbytheEmpire-buildersofourpast.

Never forget.

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I have always tried to grab opportunities whenever they come along, no matter how big or small.

SomeIregretbutmostofthetimetheyturnouttobeareallyworthwhileexperience.WhenIwasaskedifIwantedtoenteracompetitiontoshadowourlocalMP,HelenGrant’selectioncampaign,Isimplyhadtotakeuptheopportunity.BeinganAlevelpoliticsstudentIthoughtitsoundedlikeanextremelyuniqueopportunitytobeallowedtoseereallifepoliticsinaction.ThewinnerwillhavethechancetoShadowherthroughoutthenextelectioncampaign,andmeetpeoplewhoareinvolvedwithPoliticsinandaroundMaidstone.

IamsureifIwinthecompetitionitwillbegreattoseethedaytodayrunningofalocalMP.Whattheyactuallydo.Whotheymeet.Ihavealwaysbeeninterestedinwhattheydoandthisisafantasticopportunitytoseeformyself.ThisyearIhavebecomeinvolvedevenmoreinpoliticswithacampaignforfreebustravelforpeopleaged16oroverandinfulltimeeducation.ThroughdoingthecompetitionIaimtoputtheseideasforwardandactuallytakethemthroughtoahigherlevelwheresomethingshouldhopefullygetdone.Ithinkitisimportant for people of all ages to get involved and hopefully if the campaign is successful it willinspireothers.

Thecompetitionitselfwastosubmitanapplicationformwithanswerstoquestionssuchas‘WhywouldyoubeagoodshadowforHelen?’Anotherreasonforenteringthecompetitionismyinterestinthemedia.IhavealwaysbeeninterestedintelevisionanditisdefinitelysomethingIwanttodointhefuture,soIwanttohelpHelenwithhowthepublicperceive her.

Obviouslyshereliesalotonthemediaherselfforgettinghermessageacrosssohowdoesshefeelwhentheythenwritenegativecommentsabouther?Ithinkitisveryinterestingtherelationshipthemediahavewiththepeopletheywriteaboutbecausetheybothrelyequallyoneachother.

ThefinalisonSaturday29thNovemberalongwithfourotherpeoplefromschoolacrossKent.

Matt Baker

Working with our new MP

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Year7This season has been very successful for the year seven footballers.

Althoughthegoodseason,itdidn’tstartverywellwitha3-1losstoHolmesdale.OursecondgameoftheseasonwasagainstMaplesdenOaks;wedidalotbetterthismatchandcameout3-1winners.

OurthirdgameoftheseasonwasagainstSimonLangton,Canterbury.Wedidn’tdoverywelleventhoughourcommitmentwasthere,andwelostthegame8-0.ThethirdgameintheleaguethisseasonwasagainstAstorofHeaver,halfoftheirteamdidn’tshowupsoweautomaticallywonthegame.Despitethis,weplayedafriendlyandcameout13-1winners.Ourfourthmatchoftheseasonwasprobablygoingtobethehardestgameoftheseason;itwasagainstAylesford.Bothteamshadmanychancesbutourfirsthalfgoalwonusthegame,1-0.

ThefinalgameoftheseasonforuswasagainstValleyPark,wedidverywellscoringonceandhittingthewoodwork4timesinthefirsthalf.Inthesecondhalfwedidjustaswell,scoringagain,intheendwecameout2-0winners.

Year 8This season was not good for us. Last year we won the league and cup!

Thisyearwedidnotdoeither!Wefinishedthirdintheleaguewhichwasn’tgoodenoughtoqualifyforthecup.Weonlylosttwogamesbutthetwoteamswelosttoarethosethatcameinthetoptwo.

Toqualifyforthecupwewononegame14-0becausewepassedtheballaround,gotcrossesinandputshotsatthegoal.However,whentheteamsgottoughwefailedtodoallthesethingsandwestoppedfightingfortheball.

Ihavetosay,wewouldn’thaveevengotthisfarifitwasn’tforMr.Devonald.AlsothankstoOllieforjoininginhalfwaythoughtheseasonandnearlyhelpingusgetthough!

FootballThe Season So Far

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Year9We started off our season away at Holmesdale full of confidence after winning the league and the Maidstone Cup last year.

WestartedoffthegamewellafterStewartKennerleyscoredtoputus1-0ahead.WepiledonthepressureformuchafterwardsbutHolmesdalepulledoneback.Desperatelyneedingasecondgoal,JohanCaney-Bryancameupwiththegoodsandputus2-1up.AfterthatOllieBurmanandStewartKennerleycontributedagoaleachtogiveusawelldeserved4-1victory.

NextcametheKentCupwhichwefailedtogetthroughtheearlyroundsinthepasttwoyears.WecameupagainstWrothamwhohadastrongteamandweonlyedgedpastinthequarterfinalsoftheMaidstoneCuplastyear.Itturnedouttobeacomfortablevictorywinning6-0andagreatperformanceallround,especiallymanofthematchTylerBentleywhowasnewtotheteamthisyear.

BacktotheleagueandagameagainstourfiercerivalsAstorofHever,thismatchalwayshasbeenacloseencounter.Wecamethroughwinning3-1andAlexCoxscoringagreatgoal.AstorofHeverscoredlateonwithapenalty.

NextwecameupagainstAylesford‘mainlymadeupofyear8s’weweretold,butthisdefinitelydidn’tholdusbackaswesmashed12goalspasttheirpoorkeeper.Thewholeteamreallyenjoyedthisgame.AmongstthescorerswereBenCollins-SmithandJasonHarveybothcontributinghat-trickstothescoreline.

Followingthat,weexpectedatoughmatchagainstMaplestoneNoakeswhohavedefinatlybeenareclosestcompetitorstheprevioustwoyears.Itturnedouttobearoutinevictoryaddinganother10goalstoouroverallseasontotalandconcedingzerowhichreallyexcelledourgoaldifference.WeplayedthegameonMaplestonesnewG3pitchwhichsuitedourstyleofgettingtheballdownandpassing.Alsowehadapenaltyshoot-outasalaughtoenditandwealsowonthis5-4withWillThewourstand-inkeepermakingagoodsave.

OurtwotopscorersthisyearsofarareStewartKennerleywith8goalsandJohanCaney-Bryanwith5goals.Wehopetokeepupour100%recordthisyearandournextfixtureexpectingtobeoneofourhardestbeingValleyParkinround3oftheKentCup.

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Year 9 Tom Johnson ReportsThe 2007/2008 season has been excellent for the year nine football team.

Theyearstartedwithacoupleoffriendlygameswithdifferentschoolswhichwewonrathercomfortably4-1and3-0.

Ourcompetitivegamesstartedoffwithamajorblowtotheteam’smoralewhenwewereknockedoutoftheKentCupinthefirstround.Welaterfoundatthattheteamwelosttogottothesemi-finalsofthetournamentlastyear.Hearingthismadethedefeatalittleeasiertotake.Ontheotherhand,itmadeusmorefocusedontheMaidstoneLeagueandMaidstone Cup.

ThecampaignstartedwellwithapsychologicalboostasMartinPigott(Nod)generouslyboughtthewholeyearnineteamaNikekit,thisreallydidmaketheteamwanttowinevenmore.

OurfirstgameinthekitwasathomeagainstlocalrivalsStSimonStockinwhichweeasilywon5-0withgoalsfromJoePigott,JamesJeary,MattWoodhams,andTomJohnson.ThenextgamewasawaytoourmainrivalsMaidstoneGrammarSchool.ThefactthatitwasaGrammarSchoolderbypumpedtheboysupandwecameaway6-0winnerswithastunninghat-trickfromMatt.

Afterthatitwasthereturnfixtureathomeinterribleconditions.Thiswasatotallydifferentgametothepreviousone.M.G.SsawmuchmoreoftheballthanusbutwekepttryingandJoePigottsawanopeningandslotteditpastthekeeperinthefinalminute.

AfterforfeitsfromAstorofHeaverandAylesfordwehadwontheMaidstoneleagueandwewereintheMaidstoneCupFinalthankstothewinagainstM.G.S.

WewereinthefinalwithMaplesedenNoakesSchool.Itwasafairlyevenmatchbutwecameaway3-0winnersthankstogoalsfromAndyTingeyandtwofromJamesJeary.NottomentiontheoutstandinggoalkeepingfromNeilColognewhovolunteeredtogoingoalafterourmainkeeperwasoutfortheseasonduetoinjury.

Overalltheyearnineschoolteamisfantasticonandoffthepitch,wewingamesandhaveagoodlaugh.AlsoIwouldliketothankMrSmithforbeingourcoachforthepastyearandIhopewecanbeassuccessfulasthisyearnextyearandmaybeevenwintheKentCup.

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Unfortunately,wesufferedanopeningdefeat,a6-3lossbutbeingourfirstgameoftheseason,theteamwasboundtobealittlerusty.ThesecondgameofourseasonwasahugerivalgameagainstAstorofHeaver.Itprovedtobeawellphysicalgame,andafteradisappointingresultinourfirstgametheteamthoughtwelltowina2-1victory.

Aftergainingsomeextraconfidence,theteamtravelledtoHolmesdaleinsearchforanothervictory.Wetooktheleadveryearly,butwentinahalftimelevel.Theteamproducedandoutstandingperformancetoscoresevenunansweredgoalsandendedup8-1winners.

OurnextgamewasawaytoMaplesdenNoakes,wewentthereskyhighinconfidence.Wewherehelpedbyacoupleofgoalkeepererrorsalongtheway,butintheendranoutcomfortable7-3winners.

ThelastgameoftheleaguewasawayatValleyPark,wewenttherewithhighexpectationsandawinwouldhavesecuredusadefiniteplaceinthetoptwo;howevertheteamdidnotputonagreatperformance,andweonlymanageda3-3draw.

Sofarwearetopoftheleague,buttheotherschoolshaveacouplegamestoplay.Alsowearecurrentlyinthesemi-finalsoftheMaidstoneCup,whichifwewon,wewouldretainthetitle.

Unfortunately,ourdreamofwinningtheKentCuphasclosedaftersufferinga4-3defeat.Introughourfirsthalfperformancewasashamblesanddeservedtobe3-0downathalftime.However,inthesecondhalfweproducedafighting,spiritedperformance,butitwastoolate.

Afterthegamewewherealsodisappointedbecauseweknewifweplayedwellweplayedlikewedidinthesecondhalf,duringthefirsthalf,wewouldhavebeencomfortablewinners.TheseasonsofarhasbeenquitesuccessfulaswearestillintheMaidstoneCup,andarestillinwithachanceofwinningtheleague,butwearesodisappointedofbeingknockedoutofthe Kent Cup.

Results

1st Loss 6- 3 vs. Aylesford 2nd Won 2-1 vs. Astor of Heaver

3rd Won 8-1 vs. Holmesdale

4th Won 7-3 vs. Maplesden Noakes

5th Drew 3-3 vs. Vinters Park

Kentcup Lost4-3inthethirdround

So far we’ve reached the semi final of the Maidstone Cup and currently we are top of the league.