SMCC Newsletter Spring 2014 - South Molton Community College

South Molton Community College
Principal’s News
After a lovely Easter Break it is good to be back to
school again for what will be a very busy term.
Year 11 will be leaving us after completing their
GCSE‟s, while work experience for year 10 and
activities week for years 7, 8 & 9 looms on the
horizon.
The soring term was very successful and as you
read you will hopefully be as proud as I am with
the achievements of our pupils.
Raising Aspirations
-written by Charlotte Dodson, Year 10
On Wednesday, 5th February, SMCC invited 8
professionals from different fields of work to take
part in a workshop with the year nine students.
The workshops were twenty minutes long with the
guests who wanted to inspire the students to
achieve their best. The guests this year were
from varied professions: a doctor, a solicitor, a
vet, a GP, a Michelin starred chef, a police officer,
a bio researcher and an artist.
As South Molton is in such a rural area it can limit
possibilities for the future. This may cause
students at secondary school to not aim as high
as they could because they believe their goals
might not be possible to achieve. This is why Mr
Finney introduced Raising Aspirations day. It‟s to
project the message the sky is the limit; it doesn‟t
matter where you come from, work hard and aim
to achieve your life choices.
The guests who came to speak were motivated
and full of life. This was great and the year nine
students seemed to capture this energy and
asked great questions to the guest speakers who
We actually finished the term with our year 7 boys
becoming North Devon Rugby Champions which
was an amazing feat which followed on from our
success in other sports, music, drama and
academic events. As a small school this is
wonderful to see.
I am sure the remaining months of this year will
be as successful and look forward to sharing
these successes with you as the term progresses.
Jenny Glover
showed an infectious enthusiasm. “I never had a
day like this when I was in school”, enthused
Mark Dodson, Michelin starred chef owner of The
Mason Arms located in Knowstone, “I think it‟s
fantastic! I could have really benefited from a
Raising Aspirations day and that‟s why I‟m here,
to inspire”. And they did inspire. “I found it really
interesting to find out the different types of
careers I can look in to choosing in the future and
found listening to the way people got their jobs
very inspiring. It‟s amazing the amount of
dedication and effort they have put in to achieve
what they have!” beamed Skye Sibthorpe, a year
nine student who aims to be a vet.
This day, thoroughly enjoyed by students and
guests, has become a welcome annual event at
South Molton Community College.
Many thanks for helping to make Raising Aspirations a
huge success must go to our guests: Andrew Burke
from Slee Blackwell, Angus Cook, Dale Bowen, Kat
Glover, Mark Dodson, Dr Kelsey Boddington, Dr
Helena Murch, PC Mark Robarts & PCSO Rick Napier,
Mike Colton, Alice Bridges-Westcott & Antony TuckerJones, Alan Jaques from Market vets and Sarah Grigg.
e-safety –
Think you’re safe online? Well think againwritten by Bradley Horsnell, Year 8
Recently at SMCC, the police came into our
school to talk to us about safety on the internet,
and on social networks. We are the first school to
participate in this initiative. We learnt a lot of
things which we didn‟t know, that are essential to
staying safe online.
We were surprised to learn how vulnerable
webcams are as these can be hacked by
paedophiles; the officer informed us about being
careful, covering our webcams when not using
them!
A few of the other advices were:
 Check privacy settings on Facebook or
other social network sites after every
update.
 When uploading photos, always stop and
think: “Would Grandma approve?”
 Don‟t send or keep inappropriate photos
which someone may send you. If they are
of a person under the age of 16, you could
be put on the sex offenders register for
having these images!
 When friending people, always ask
yourself: “Do you know the person if you
Passed them on the street?”.. if the
answer is no, then don‟t friend them!

Never put any personal details on the
web, including mobile number etc, that
way we can keep ourselves safe from any
abuse or harassment.
If you think something is not right remember it is
never too late to get help, and that you should
always tell someone you trust or click the “Report
Abuse” button available on the social network
sites.
Digital Parenting
http://www.theparentzone.co.uk/parent/information/digital_pa
renting
This is a very useful site for parents, you will find
many helpful articles such as “Staying in control
of mobile costs, Get safe online, Technology
jargonbuster”
“tips from The Parent Zone”
 Turn off in app purchases. If anyone is
going to spend your money this weekend
make sure it‟s you and you know where
it‟s going.
 Turn on safety mode on YouTube. It‟s
dead easy. Scroll to the bottom of the
page to the Safety tab. If it says Off
change it to On. Job done. :)
Dave Watkins
Maths events
A number of students have taken part in events
which follow on from their good performances in
the Intermediate Maths Challenge in February.
On Thursday 20th March Adam Palmer Welsh
from year 10, Sarah Gunn and Helena Read from
year 9 took part in the Maths Kangaroo, a
European event which is the next round of the
On Wednesday 26th and Thursday 27th March
Adam, Matt Gentle and Ed Stone travelled to
Exeter. They were invited to take part in the UK
Mathematics Trust Circle event held at Exeter
University.
Well done to all of these students
Performing Arts & Physical
Education Dept.
Music
GCSE Music & PETROC
We recently held some
really successful
performance/recording
sessions here at school.
We had three levels of
assessments happening:
- GCSE, BTEC Level 2
and BTEC Level 3. Our
sincere thanks go to Lee
Thommen, John
Bangerman and students
from Petroc for their
input. Our huge thanks
also go to Leo
Braukmann-Pugsley (Exeter College) for doing
the sound recording for us. Our Year 10 and 11
GCSE pupils benefitted from an enjoyable and
inspirational time which gave them the
opportunity to expand their experience.
Instrumental Lessons
Information about our wide range of Instrumental
Lessons can be found on the school website
http://www.smcc.devon.sch.uk/music%20lessons.
htm
Some of our tutors are able to give free taster
sessions – just ask!
Instrumental Amnesty
Just as it says! No fines or cross words! If you
have an instrument that you borrowed from
school, no matter how long ago, we would love to
have it back please. Just drop it at reception
(anonymously if need be!!). Thank you.
Instrument Donations
Several parents and friends of the school have
donated good quality instruments and these have
been invaluable. If you have any instruments at
home which are no longer in use, you may wish
to consider donating them to the School. These
would be well-used and much appreciated.
Please contact Mrs Wisken
[email protected]
Well Done Maddie!
Congratulations and well done to Maddie Warren,
who now has
her own EP out.
We plan to
place some
samples on the
school website
with details of
how to buy her
tracks.
Carol Wisken
Drama
After the success of Dracula last year, the Drama
Department decided it wanted to continue with
the high quality drama productions, but wished to
try something new. The result was 'Plastic'- a
short 40 minute film that is currently in the late
stages of production and will soon have its
premiere at school.
This film has, in as many ways possible, involved
the students in all levels of production. All the
acting, the make-up, the lighting, continuity,
props, sets and more were organised and run by
students. Seeing a large group from Year 7 to
Year 11 be involved, the project grew from its
original idea to something much more exciting
and fun. Students gave up many weekends and
after school (and even holiday time) to film this.
To date there remain only editing, special effects
and a few small re-shoots to do.
Upcoming work on the soundtrack, the publicity
and more will also be done by students at the
school and we hope to have a red carpet
premiere taking place either just before or just
after the Easter Holidays. The film itself is a
science fiction tale about what would happen if
human looking robots were ever allowed into a
school, and has been a terribly ambitious and
rewarding project. More details about when the
premiere is going to happen will be available soon
- we hope you will be able to come and support
your fellow students.
Marc Torley
Physical Education
Girls’ Rugby
South Molton Community
College have consistently run
boys‟ rugby teams at U12
through to U16 level but have
recently been working with a
group of young ladies at U15
level. We have received help
in their training from Wayne
Reed (Community Rugby
Coach) and Matt Jess
(Exeter Chiefs).
On 7th March we entered our
first girls‟ rugby team into a
County U15 competition at St
Luke‟s school in Exeter.
They overcame Park,
Tavistock, Teignmouth and
St Luke‟s schools to win their „pool‟ and eventually lost in their semi-final to last year‟s National Champions
Clyst Vale. The quality of their rugby was outstanding and they were well supported by a number of
parents, Wayne Reed (Community Rugby Coach) and Matt Jess from Exeter Chiefs.
We also have a group of younger girls who are very keen and we are hoping to take both U13 and U15
girls next year.
Students work out with an Olympian!
Cassie Patten, Bronze medal winning 10k open water
Olympian, visited the school to work with our students
as part of the Sky Sports Living for Sport program.
The program fits nicely within our raising aspirations
whole school program that the college organises to
give further opportunities to our young people.
Cassie delivered various sessions throughout the day
and signed autographs and posed for photographs.
The students enjoyed being able to hold a real bronze
medal and feedback from all the students was very
positive.
Cassie discussed the issues she faced throughout
her life and explained to students that nothing should
ever hold you back from aiming high and working
toward your dreams. Cassie has some major learning
difficulties, which she has learnt to live with. She went on to represent Team GB at Beijing and she is now
training to become a PE teacher.
It was a fantastic day, as the excitement Cassie generated was priceless. It was so pleasing seeing the
students hanging on her every word.
We wish Cassie luck for the future and we will continue to work hard to be part of the project organised by
Sky Sports.
Richard Uffendell
Head of Performing Arts Faculty
Head of Physical Education Department
Library News
Robert Muchamore streams live into
SMCC
On World Book Day, Thursday 6th March, SMCC
pupils participated in a Live Streaming Event to
celebrate the work of renowned writer, Robert
Muchamore.
Muchamore, famous for his „Cherub‟ series once
visited South Molton Community College to take
part in a writers‟ workshop. On this occasion he
was live at an event at Acland Burghley School in
London where he launched his new series, „Rock
Wars‟ which has been picked as one of ten titles
for World Book Day. Pupils who are keen readers
of Muchamore‟s work watched the event. They
had prepared and submitted questions on the
themes and ideas in the novels, and were
delighted when year 8 student, Jack Routley, had
his question selected and answered by the author
during the live event.
Jack Routley, 8D, had his question answered
This is the first time we have taken part in a live
streamed event and Mrs Turner and Mrs
Sauerzapf are very grateful for the support of our
technicians, Neil and Jane.
World Book Day 2013
On Thursday 6th March we celebrated World
Book Day. As well as the Robert Muchamore live
streaming event, pupils in Year 7 all took part in
an exciting book quiz in the Library at lunchtime.
There was also a Hunger Games/Lord of the
Rings Quiz in which many students participated.
The World Book Day website is also worth a visit,
with many activities and games based on our
favourite characters. You can find it at
www.worldbookday.com and there is also a World
Book Day app which can be downloaded onto
any Apple or Android device.
Box Tops for Books
Carnegie Shadowing 2014
The shortlist for this year‟s Carnegie Book Award
was announced on Tuesday 18th March. We will
be avidly reading and posting reviews right up to
the day the award is announced on 23rd June.
Shortlisted books are available for loan from the
Library. Shadowing will culminate in an event at
West Buckland School on 19th June, where
schools from all over North Devon meet and give
presentations on the books.
http://www.carnegiegreenaway.org.uk/shadowing
site/
This is just a reminder that we are still collecting
the tokens from the top of Nestle cereal packets.
They can be dropped in the collecting boxes
found just outside Reception or on the Library
Issue Desk.
Extra-Curricular Clubs
There are plenty of extra-curricular activities on
offer, the timetable can be found on our website
and on the front page of the VLE.
There is also a Press Club on Wednesday
lunchtime in room 4. If you have any news you
would like us to report either come along to Press
Club or email [email protected]
Rosemoor visit
On Thursday 27th February, the year 11 GCSE
ELBS group travelled to RHS Rosemoor to gather
information for the „work related report‟
component of their coursework. The students had
an excellent day and had the opportunity to
partake in a workshop on plant propagation,
conduct a tour of the gardens and do some pond
dipping and forest foraging.
Art Trip
Mrs Noseda is in the process of organising a trip to the Eden Project for her year 10 students. This will be
on 21st May and is expected to cost approximately £20. More details to follow.
Former students
Congratulations to Mia Taylor-Jones, who left
SMCC in 2012 with 15 x A* & 2 x A grades in her
GCSEs, who has just won an offer at Exeter
College, Oxford to read History. She attended
Exeter College as she was keen to study the
International Baccalaureate. “The IB enabled me
to step up to the challenge and I‟ve had the
opportunity for lots of independent study. Exeter
College is a really nice and interesting place to
study where you can meet lots of new people. I
definitely recommend it!”
We would also like to congratulate Emma
Hulland, who also left SMCC in 2012 with
excellent grades, on achieving a Royal
Geographical Society Gap year scholarship.
The scholarship is offered to all students in the
UK; Emma was one of seventeen students to
achieve this. Emma is planning to do a building,
teaching and sport programme in Fiji. This
scholarship can eventually lead Emma to
becoming a geography ambassador.
Exeter City FC
North Devon Development Centre
Coaching sessions now available:
Yr 2 – Yr7 4:45pm-6:16pm and Yr 8 – Yr 11
6:15pm-7:45pm on Monday evenings at Park
School, Barnstaple. All goalkeeping coaching is
between 6:15pm – 7:45pm.
Contact David Langford 07877730986, email:
[email protected]
www.ecfccoe.uk.co
Activities Week
A polite reminder that payments for activities/trips
will need to be made by 16th May. Thank you to
those parents who have already paid.
Community Action Day
Over 100 Year 9 students from South Molton
Community College have started to plan two days
of Community Action on Thursday 1st and
Friday 2nd May 2014. Over the past few months
students have identified ways they can make an
active difference to the local community, and are
currently planning and preparing for a number of
projects. They will be working to improve the
amenities or experiences offered by a number of
local organisations working within our community.
Some of their projects include working on the
church steps area in the town centre, the back of
Hobbies Day
As you know, every year, each spring, an
unusual event takes place at SMCC –
Hobbies Day! Each pupil in year 7 is invited
to bring in a representation of their favourite
pastime, to make a display about it and then
share it with their parents, teachers and
peers. It has become a long held tradition of
the school and one they are extremely proud
of.
The buzz of anticipation begins after the
return from the Christmas holidays and finally
culminates in an afternoon of joyful chaos
with this year being no exception, “it‟s an
amazing way for the students to get to know
each other and find out something that they
may not have known about their class mates.
It‟s also great to see the passion,
commitment and achievement which our
pupils have out of school, not to mention all
the amazing parents, grandparents and co.
because without their support an event like
this wouldn‟t be possible. So I‟d like to say a
big thank you to them all.”
Next year‟s Hobbies Day is already
pencilled in the diary for next spring;
September‟s new
intake might like to
start planning…
the Amory Centre and a mural project at South
Molton infant school. They also plan on tidying
the garden at the back of the Pannier Market and
around the skate park.
After the recent storms some students will be
going to Saunton Sands to help with a beach
clean-up, clearing litter and debris and improving
the amenity.
9G are organising a football tournament and
Healthy Life workshops/activities with partner
primary schools at SMCC.
South Molton Community College
Dates for your diary
30.04.14
Year 7 Parents Evening
27.06.14
PROM Night
01.05.14
Years 7 & 8 Junior Maths
Challenge
01.07.14
New Intake day
01.05.14 –
02.05.14
Community Action Day
01.07.14
New Intake Evening 6pm –
7:30pm
05.05.14
Bank Holiday
02.07.14
Reserve Sports Day
08.05.14
Year 10 Theatre Trip
02.07.14 06.07.14
Year 10 RE Trip to Rome
08.05.14
GCSEs begin
08.07.14
Activ8 6-8pm
Ten Tors event
10.07.14 –
22.07.14
Uganda Trip
Year 7 Met Office Trip
14.07.14
15.05.14
Year 8 Parents Evening
16.07.14 –
18.07.14
21.05.14
Year 10 Art Trip - Eden
24.07.14
22.05.14
U15 girls rugby exhibition
24.07.14
Last day of term
26.05.14 –
30.05.14
Half Term
25.07.14
Summer Holiday begins
02.06.14
Year 10 Exams begin
21.08.14
GCSE Results Day
12.06.14
Year 8 HPV injection
03.09.14
Non Pupil Day
24.06.14
GCSE exams end
04.09.14
Autumn Term begins
09.05.14 11.05.14
09.05.14 –
10.05.14
Year 10 Work Experience
begins
Activities Week, years 7, 8 &
9.
Year 10 Work Experience
ends