,

May 2012

Welcome to the Summer Term edition of Planet News.

It has been a really busy half term as the exam season has started in earnest so pupils in Years 10, 11, 12 and 13 have been sitting papers and completing practical assessments. Legions of students have been attending the additional booster sessions offered by our dedicated teaching staff, some starting as early as 7.00am, others taking place after the school day or on Saturdays. Staff have willingly given of their time to support our young people as they prepare for their exams and I am sure, as parents and carers, you would like to join with me in thanking them for all their hard work.

Already 69% of our Year 11 have achieved A*-C in mathematics and a staggering 20% of those have attained a grade A* or A and we hope these figures will improve still further by 23rd August, results day. Early entry results and modular data suggests that this cohort of students are set to be the most successful in the school’s history so we look forward to celebrating their success.

Outside the classroom, students at John Willmott have been given numerous opportunities to develop their talents and interests. A group of Year 8 footballers took part in a tournament in Holland, our linguists enjoyed a visit to Paris to immerse themselves in French culture and an intrepid group of Year 10 students endured driving wind and rain on their practice Silver Duke of Edinburgh expedition.

2012 is set to be a memorable year for all of us at John Willmott and indeed the whole country as we celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and hosting the Olympic games. Several students have already sampled the delights of the Olympic venues as they were selected to travel to London to watch the diving competition and to Coventry to see Oman versus Senegal in a pre tournament football match.

Spurred on by the Olympic fervour, our home grown talent continues to develop and we were delighted when our Year 7 Football team won the League, our Year 10 Rounders team won the Sutton Schools’ Competition and three individuals represented the school and competed at the Birmingham North and South Athletics Trials. Hannah Walker achieved a personal best in the 200m, Kane Howitt came first in the 100m and Matthew Pennant beat all his opponents in the Long Jump Competition.

I look forward to celebrating even more success in the final half term of this academic year and wish you all an enjoyable half term break. Let’s hope the sun shines on us all!

M L McCrohonHeadteacher

Headteacher’s Message

Hello Jupiter Patriots!

What a wet month we have had except for the last week! But it’s nice to see that despite the wet and windy weather spirits are still high!

7J have been leading the way with theIR flurry of competition activity – Sadie Horton and Beth Woolley have both entered the dance competition and we wish them the best of luck, and Rita Mponzo, Amiee Parry and Amy Perks have all been showing their stuff in the girls football team. Come on lads, let’s see what you can do as well!

In 8J Hannah Peters and Mandip Jhitta have been awarded the “Head Teacher’s Award” for their contributions to school life including their studies. Hannah was also one of the winners of the environmental badge competition – her design being described as “bright, eyecatching yet simple and stylistic”

9J have been the dazzle of the badminton court with Lea Rudd, Hannah Jones and Georgia Boddy taking part in the badminton tournament. Meanwhile, Jack Richards was the proud recipient of the “Head Teacher’s Award” for his outstanding efforts and achievements at school.

In 10J Touraj Ashruf won the Jupiter gnome competition for her excellent colourful gnome design. Well done to Touraj!

And in 11J some one… Had Weetabix for breakfast! Several in fact! AWESOME! Can we make that a competition to conquer? I don’t know.

It is great to see so many Jupiter troopers getting involved in sporting activities, but there’s a lot more room in this slot for more amazing news! I hope to see everyone showing off what we can do. We’ve got Sports Day, the House Quiz and the Photography Competitions all coming up – these are great opportunities for us to earn House Points and get the lead back in the House Competition where we’re currently in second place by just a few House Points.

In the meantime get involved and if anything great crops up that you just can’t wait, tell your Form Tutors, our Head of House the mighty Mr Williams or your humble Sixth Form House Captains Harriet Fullagar-Bratch and Ottar Winchcombe-Suggett and we will get the news out!

Keep being great, Jupiter!

Harriet Fullagar-Bratch and Ottar Winchcombe-SuggettHouse Captains Jupiter House

Ss

JUPITER

Hello Mercury House

We would like to congratulate the whole House as in the most recent commendations count Mercury is currently 3rd on the House Leader Board. If we all continue to work hard there is no reason why we shouldn’t finish at the top.

A special well done goes to Lauren Hicklin, 7M, who has collected 399 commendations which is the highest in the whole school! Regan Croker, 8M, has achieved 302 commendations, which is the highest in Year 8, and Howard Gough, 10M, collected 248 commendations – the highest in Year 10. Here we have three top performers who are role models to the rest of Mercury House.

We would like to thank the House for their great performance so far and for their continued effort to achieve for the rest of the year. We are now entering the exam period and would like to send the best of luck to all students sitting their exams as it is an important time for us all.

Ross Loveitt Edward Newby Rebecca Small House Captains Mercury House

Charity Work

Monet Sullivan and Tynisha Jarrett-Caine and I (Laura Hicklin) all in 7M, recently met Birmingham Councillor Mike Sharpe. I have been raising money for charity since I was 7 and want to invite Birmingham’s Lord Mayor to a charity event. Monet and Tynisha are now also helping me to raise money. Mr Sharpe also spoke about MP Jack Dromey and explained his role as an MP and the work of the House of Commons. We were fascinated by all he had to say and so Mr Sharpe phoned Jack Dromey and made arrangements for us and our friends to visit the House of Commons. We have also been invited to the Birmingham Lord Mayor’s Parlour which we are really excited about. Our next fund raising event is to take part in an 8.5 mile Fun Run to raise money for Breast Friends Sutton Coldfield.

I began fund raising after my Nan was diagnosed with cancer which made me determined to help people who were less fortunate than me. I have so far raised money for Help for Heroes, Cancer Support Centre, St Giles Hospice, amongst others. I have recently been making goody bags, charms and bracelets for the Callum Henry Fete which was held in Castle Vale on 12 May. I was delighted that the Lord Mayor accepted my invitation to this event when I had the privilege of showing her round the different stalls.

Laura Hicklin 7M

Ss

MERCURY

Hello Neptunians!

It’s been another busy half term for the brilliant students of Neptune House. Congratulations to all of you who have worked hard and earned TRIC commendations.

Neptune’s Top TRIC Earners are:7N – Rhema Howell-Smith (160)8N – Jonathan England/James Ferns (175)9N – Ashley Ayto (257)10N – Jack Marshall (183)11N – Amy Garnett (75)

8N’s Matthew Pennant emulated the likes of Olympic medallists Kelly Sotherton and Mark Lewis-Francis by scooping gold at the Aviva Athletics Academy Sports Hall Finals in Birmingham.

Matthew jumped 71 centimetres to win the under-13 boys vertical jump at the flagship junior athletics development event of the year.

After competing in the event for the first time, Matthew said, "It was obviously a really good day, but quite challenging as well, especially because the arena is so big. I was drawing with another lad on 68cm for ages and it could have gone either way, but I beat him on the last jump so it was quite tense, but really good to win. It's great fun to be part of a team and one day I hope to be part of the Aviva GB and NI Team as a professional athlete."

The National Sports Hall Final in Birmingham is part of the Aviva Athletics Academy, which encourages and enables young people to get involved in athletics. Matthew is now training with the Royal Sutton Coldfield Athletics Club and aims to be competing for them on the outdoor circuit very soon. Our congratulations to Matthew – we are very proud of you!

Mr GriceHead of Neptune House

Ss

NEPTUNE

Hello Orion!

What a fantastic half term. As it stands Orion House are currently sitting at the top of the league. Yes, we have accrued the most house points so far!! However, it is not the time for complacency and there is still a lot of work to do if we are to remain in pole position.

It has been a real team effort and there are a lot of people who have put in a great deal of work. Firstly, I would like to congratulate a new pupil to the school, Anisha Mistry, 7O, for coming first with her design for a environmentally friendly themed poster/sticker. David Walker and Tia Tomlinson both Year 7 represented Orion in the chess competition (and are stalwart members of the achievement group) and did absolutely brilliantly and Emily Lyall 9O won the ‘Design a Gnome’ competition with a brilliantly imaginative design. Finally, we have seen a real boost in our TRIC totals, David Walker 7O is top of his form with an enormous 319 commendations and is 2nd in the Year Group, Dylan Price is leading 8O with 262, Emily Lyall 9O, Rae Greatrex 10O and Amy Garnett 11O are all top of their respective Year Groups. I would like to thank everyone for their efforts and encourage you all to continue to collect and hand in commendations . A big thank you goes out to all the form tutors also.

We have a busy half term ahead of us, with the photography competition now under way and with Sports Day and the Summer Fayre still to come. I am sure we will all put in maximum effort in the final and hopefully sunny, last few weeks.

Finally, I would like to say farewell to the Year 11’s and 13’s. I know many of the year 11’s will be back with us next year but for those who plan to move on to pastures new everyone from Orion wishes you all the best.

Many thanks to all members of Orion for their hard work.

Mr WithersHead of Orion House

Ss

ORION

Congratulations to George Shaw 7P for having the highest number of commendations in his form (185). Also to Olivia Glasby top of 8P with 129. Hollie Winfield 9P is not only top of her form but also top of her Year Group with 382. Levi Hammond is top of 10P and Wesley Mulvey is top of 11P. Well done to all! Please remember that all your commendations help our position in the league tables so please make sure that you give details to your form tutor. We have to prepare after this holiday for our stall at the School Summer Fayre so I shall be looking for help amongst all the House members. We also need to start thinking about Sports Day and we hope you will all play an active part.

Katie Gillespie in 7S is leading her form in the commendations race with 125 commendations. Nyahmekye Hinds is top of 8S’s table, Chloe Kynaston is leading 9S with 131 commendations and Katie Johnson 10S, Lauren Smith and Sarah-Louise Tweede-Fyfe 11S are top of their respective form groups. Congratulations to all. Please remember that all your commendations count towards the league table so make sure you collect them and hand them in. The Summer Fayre and Sports Day are looming ever closer and we will need your help at both these major events. Please make sure you volunteer!

Congratulations to Sarah Mayling, Lauren Warner and Stacey Yeomans, all 10V, for being part of the Year 10 Girls’ Rounders Team who recently won the Sutton Schools’ Competition. Also congratulations to Sanaa Aslam 7V, Lauren Campbell, 8V, Hayley Edwards 9V, Shehryar Awan 10V and Lydia Aspley 11V who are all top of their respective form groups in the commendations league table. Remember to hand in commendations since they all count towards our position in the league table. After the holiday we will be needing your help and support for the Summer Fayre and Sports Day. Make sure you are there!

SATURN

VENUS

PLUTO

Congratulations to the following students who all gained Headteacher’s Awards this term:

Year 7     - Deanna Gardner 7S for a positive attitude, working hard and collecting for the Lepra Society

- Louise Hammond 7P for a positive attitude, working hard and contribution to school life

         - Brandon Hazel 7N for positive attitude, working hard and collecting for the Lepra Society

Year 8   - Zoot Roome 8V for hard work and contribution to school

- Ruth Chavez 8S for hard work and contribution to school

Year 9     - Amy Vincent 9S for consistent 100% effort and hard work

- Jack Eggar 9N for consistent 100% effort and hard work 

Year 10 - Reenam Shareef 10P for excellent attitude to work and coursework

- Charlotte Cole 10S for excellent attitude to work and coursework

Year 11   - Naomi Watts 11P for excellent attitude to work and coursework across all subjects and for being on track to meet or exceed target grades in all subjects

- Nicholas Radford 11S for excellent attitude to work and coursework across all subjects and for maintaining 100% attendance

Ss Mr Roberts HEADTEACHER’S AWARDS

The results of the School Environment Sticker Competition are as follows:

Year 7 – Anisha Mistry 7O – awarded for being relevant/factual and good ideasYear 8 – Hannah Peters 8J – awarded for being bright/eye catching and simple but stylisticSpecial mention goes to Deanna Gardner 7S whose entry was colourful and eye catching

Inter-House Quiz

This is being held on Friday 1 June and we look forward to publishing the results in the next newsletter. Good luck to all competitors.

Photography Competition

The closing date for the Photography Competition is Friday 15 June. The themes are as follows: KS3 - Colour KS4 - Photo Montage KS5 – Optical Illusion Staff – Facial Expression (Sour!)

Make sure you submit your entries and represent your House. Each entry will gain points for your House.

Bags 4 Life

Remember to bring your bags in labelled with your House name by 29 June. House Points are given for each bag handed in.

Summer Fayre

There is a poster competition to advertise the Summer Fayre which will be held on Saturday 14 July. Make sure you submit your entry. Each House will have their own stall at the Fayre so please keep this date free to attend.

Inter-House Sports Day

This will take place on Monday 9 July. Remember each House needs to submit a full team to maximize their points.

Ss

HOUSE NEWS

The Year 12 A Level Drama Group recently performed their Drama practical examination in front of an audience of parents, friends and staff and of course an external examiner. Having already completed their monologues from the play ‘Eight’ by Ella Hickson, the students divided into two groups to perform two very contrasting extracts from two different plays.

‘Road’ by Jim Cartwright was first produced in 1986. We followed Scullery’s (played by Ashley Steer) tour as he took us on a journey down ‘the road’. We met a mother and daughter played by Jessica Stewart and Annabelle Kelly who have a love/hate relationship and a foul-mouthed DJ played by Jacob Walker. All four characters were played with great conviction and related well to each other. It was amazing to see the students portray such differing moods and emotions that were so unlike their real selves.This play left the audience feeling uplifted as we were reminded of the resilience people have to whatever is thrown at them.

The second play ‘DNA’ by Dennis Kelly was only published in 2008 and was originally written for young people’s theatre. It is about a group of teenagers who are all friends with their own characteristics and personalities who one day took their actions too far. Their fun quickly got out of hand with very serious consequences. The characters played by Caleb Rose, Connor Murphy, Aaliyah Hamilton and Frances Harrison-Magill were very convincing and portrayed so many different and complex emotions that the audience was on the edge of their seats as they watched the drama unfold. It is true to say that we held our breath as we could not believe the power of the mood these talented performers created. We were left wanting to know what was going to happen next and having to use our imaginations to perceive what the ending was - probably lots of different endings. It also left us questioning how we as individuals would have reacted if we had found ourselves in a similar situation.

Congratulations to the actors in both plays and also to Mr Roberts and Miss Cotterill for thoughtful interpretations and also the excellent use of lighting, costume and staging. A thought-provoking and thoroughly enjoyable evening.

PERFORMING ARTS

Our Gardening Project to produce fresh vegetables for St Giles Hospice is taking shape thanks to Severn Trent Water Authority.

The budding gardeners were delighted when their vegetable patch was given a complete overhaul by 45 members of the Severn Trent Water team. Major improvements were made to the existing gardening area which will enable students to sow, grow and provide a selection of healthy fruit and vegetables.

There had been several problems with the existing gardens, for example the soil was in a bad condition, so Severn Trent Water with the help of staff and students built raised beds and filled them with really good topsoil. The team also installed three large water butts, laid bark chipping, supplied a wormery to produce compost and began planting.

The students had fun choosing plants for the flower beds and helped to put them in place. Bird tables have also been added to the enclosed garden area so that students can see the birds feeding.

As well as help from Severn Trent Water, John Willmott School received donations and assistance from Hortech, Ground Control, Selco, Straight and Waltons.co.uk, Biffa, Gardiners and Erdington Aquatics.

Once the produce is ready, Colliers Honda dealership in Erdington will transport it to St Giles Hospice in an electric car where it will be transformed into delicious meals for the patients.

Peter Holliday, Chief Executive of St Giles Hospice, says: “Making these changes to the school’s vegetable patch took an incredible effort and we would like to thank everyone who donated time or equipment, we can’t wait to see patients tucking into the results in a few months.”

SCHOOL NEWS

SCHOOL COUNCILThis half term has been comparatively quiet regarding School Council News. Your views and concerns have been raised by your reps at meetings and we have also discussed the recent fire and its implications for all of us, completion of Planners, further fund raising ideas and projects for next year.

Year 7 and 8 Representatives have also helped Mr Ware with work on the VLE to answer frequently asked questions (FAQs) that would be useful for the current Year 6’s as they are preparing to begin life at John Willmott School in September. Please check out our answers on the School’s home page to see if you could help add any more positive comments to prepare for a smooth transition from Year 6 into Year 7.

If you have any concerns or ideas to improve life in school please do not hesitate to speak to your Council Reps, each form has at least one! We look forward to hearing from you.Mrs E Barnfield School Council

VISIT FROM THE DOGS’ TRUST KENILWORTHA group of students from the Achievement Group were visited by Otis, a 6 year old Staffordshire Bull Terrier, together with his handler Scott Spencer from the Dogs’ Trust Kenilworth. The aim of the visit was to talk to the students about the correct way to care for the dogs and how to handle them. As well as the talk the students also spent time performing hands on tasks including basic commands such as ‘sit’ and ‘stay’, the importance of ‘poop scooping’ and how to approach unknown dogs safely. Everyone enjoyed the visit, especially Otis who busily ate up the remains of the students’ lunch which had been left on the playground!

Tara Seipal, Ottar Winchcombe-Suggett, Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Charlotte Birch, Katie Weetman, Gabrielle DoolanSs

STUDENT NEWS

Lessons From Auschwitz

We recently participated in an Auschwitz project run by the Holocaust Education Trust. This involved two seminars at Aston University and a day visit to Auschwitz I and Auschwitz Birkenau. At the first seminar we heard from a Holocaust survivor who shared his traumatic and life changing experiences with us. When asked about his feelings he said that he has no personal hate towards the country of Germany and wishes for people to live in peace rather than with regret and hatred. We believed this testimony to be a valuable lesson as it gave us the chance to put a face to one of the many Holocaust victims.

On the 1st of May we travelled to Poland to visit the Auschwitz camps beginning with Auschwitz I, the main concentration camp. At the museum built in the camp we saw rooms filled with hundreds of personal belongings left at both Auschwitz I and II. The rooms gave a very eerie feeling as we tried to contemplate the fact that these items all belonged to victims of the horrific event. The room which shocked us the most was one containing the hair from victims burnt in the crematorium. This provoked a disturbing emotion as it yet again helped us visualise the many human beings who were tortured and killed.

We then travelled to Auschwitz Birkenau, the extermination. We got to see for ourselves the incredible size of the structure knowing that every building within the large expanse was completely filled with people. Walking beside the train tracks, we came to the site where those who were to be sent to the crematorium were spilt from those who were granted the opportunity to work within the camp. Often this is where families were torn apart. Those who were living in the camp had to deal with unbearable living standards such as extremely overcrowded sleeping arrangements and a limited food supply of bread and soup.

At the end of the day we attended a memorial service held by Rabbi Marcus. He spoke about how we all have a duty to prevent something as horrendous as the Holocaust from happening again by teaching those who are less familiar and by refusing to accept prejudice and discrimination. Hence the name ‘Lessons From Auschwitz Project’. We then each lit candles and placed them on the train tracks in remembrance of the lives lost and to show our respect and hope for the future.

We feel very fortunate to have participated in this project as we have learnt from it and have realised the importance of teaching others about the Holocaust. At the heart of the Holocaust lay the ideology held by the Nazis that Jews (amongst other groups) were less than human. This, of course, is untrue and was purely the result of prejudice held by those in power in Germany at the time. We, as a society, have a duty to not let others discriminate against people simply because of who they are.

Hayley Pickavance and Lydia Hewson

(This is an abridged version of an article sent to the local press).

Tara Seipal, Ottar Winchcombe-Suggett, Rebecca Fitzpatrick, Charlotte Birch, Katie Weetman, Gabrielle DoolanSs

STUDENT NEWS

Football

Many congratulations to the Year 7 and Year 8 Boys Football Teams who both came top of their leagues and were awarded the League Cup for their age groups. Well done also to Mr Hunter and Mr Morris for coaching the teams to victory!

The year 8’s have recently returned from a Football Festival in Molenheide in Belgium near the Dutch/German border where they played matches against teams from Holland, Belgium and Denmark. They defeated both the Danish and Belgium teams and drew with the Dutch.

Spotlight on John Fragakis 7M

John was born and brought up in Sydney, Australia. He began playing football at the age of 4 and was representing his state by the age of 10. He attended football trials and was spotted by 3 English scouts from Wigan Athletic, Everton and Blackburn and was invited to come to England for trials. Last year he trialled for 6 weeks at Wigan and then returned to Australia at the end of the season. John came back to England in July 2011 and was invited by Aston Villa to trial with them. He was one of the three boys who were picked to train at Aston Villa’s academy. After a 6 week trial he was signed up until the end of this season and has just been given a further 2 year contract with Aston Villa. Many, many congratulations to John.

Rounders

Many congratulations to the Year 10 Rounders Team for winning the Sutton Schools’ Competition. The team players were: Robyn Delaney, Jade Ralph, Becci Nisbett, Sophie Batsford (all Mercury), Sara Mayling, Lauren Warner, Stacey Yeomans (Venus) Georgia Jones (Jupiter) and Shannon Morgan (Orion).

Athletics

At the recent Birmingham North and South Trials we were delighted in particular with the achievements of the following students: Hannah Walker, 9M, came 3rd in the 200m with a personal best, Kane Howitt, 10S, won the 100m and 200m both in personal best times. Matthew Pennant, 8N, came 3rd in the 200m and won the long jump event. Our congratulations to all three students.

Ss

SPORTS NEWS

We have two fund raising activities in the next half term. The first is ‘Bags 2 the Future’. We would ask you to have a sort out during the half term break and send into school bags of adults’/children’s clothing, bedding, curtains, soft toys, shoes or handbags that you no longer want or need that can be recycled and also bring the school money. We will start collecting bags as soon as school restarts on 11 June and the collection will take place on 29 June.

Our major event of the year is our Summer Fayre which is to be held on Saturday 14 July from 1pm to 4pm. There will be many attractions including a martial arts display, BOKWA Fitness, freshly cooked Jerk Chicken, cakes and other foods, refreshments tents, Tug-of-War, a variety of craft stalls and plenty of traditional Summer Fayre fun. Each of the School’s Houses will be organising a stall and the Governors will be running their annual Tombola.

All that is needed now is your help! We need Tombola and Raffle prizes and also volunteers to help set up the tables and stalls on the morning and volunteers to man the stalls on the afternoon. You can help in any way. Please contact Mr Larkin at school and Raffle/Tombola prizes can be handed into Reception.

This is your opportunity to get involved and help us to raise money to support your child’s school as well as to enjoy yourself. WE NEED YOU!!

John Willmott School PTFA

Ss

PTFA NEWS

June / July 2012

1 June Inter-House Quiz School Closes for Half Term break

11 June School Resumes12 June Canteen Theme Day - Italian15 June Non-Uniform Day16 - 17 June Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Practice Expedition21 June A Casual Evening of Culture26 June Canteen Theme Day - American28 June Art Exhibition29 June Year 11 Prom

Bags 4 Schools Collection

3 July New Year 7 Parents’ Evening4 July New Pupil Day5 July Canteen Theme Day - Mexican9 July Sports Day14 July Summer Fayre15 July Start of Duke of Edinburgh Expedition16 July Year 10 Work Experience begins17 July Canteen Theme Day - American19 July Willmott’s Got Talent20 July School Closes for Summer Holidays

* * * * *STOP PRESS:

We are delighted to announce that Mr Heslop, Area of Study Director Science, has been selected to play for England in the Grand Master Hockey Team for the Home International Tournament in June and the World Cup Tournament in August. Many congratulations and Good Luck!

Ss Mr Daniels remains the Guest Speaker at our forthcoming Prizegiving.FORTHCOMING EVENTS