Newsletter

Wishing all our leavers every success in the future

MAY 2013

Page 2

Principal’s Welcome

Dear Parents and Friends,

In a blink we seem to have been catapulted from cold snowy days into what we call affectionately the ‘summer’ term. The temperatures may be struggling to comply with our expectations of the season but the school diary ticks away remorselessly and the annual milestones keep appearing. In particular we are now in the throes of the examination season and we must all give our support and best wishes to the hundreds of hard-working students in Years 11,12 and 13 who are busy revising and preparing to prove their many talents in the heady silence of the exam halls. Younger students will have their turn and they are enjoying the space and the quiet which accompanies the exodus of the GCSE and A level candidates. Hopefully we have the fun of Sports Day and Block week and a host of other opportunities to look forward to when the sunnier days finally arrive! ( … reminds me to thank you for turning out smart students in these warmer months).We began the term with the sad news that Mrs Crisp is being treated for breast cancer and is on sick leave. I know that you will want to join me and the whole school community in wishing her a full and speedy recovery. Happier news came at Easter when Mrs Turner gave birth to her second son, Noah, and we all congratulate the Turner family

on their new arrival. Mrs Lis Coates who has worked in the AGS School Office for many years also retired at Easter and she goes with our best wishes and huge thanks for her massive support for the school. In view of these staff changes I am pleased to welcome Mrs Barbara Minards to the management team as Vice Principal, Mrs Kathryn Farrelly becomes acting Head of Key Stage Four ( Years 10 and 11 ) and Mrs Jacqui Dyos joins the office staff as PA to the management team. Other changes include the promotion of Miss Katie Underwood to Deputy Head of Sixth Form and Mrs Sarah Leeds to Second i/c Maths. Miss Sarah Enderby returns from maternity leave and I am grateful to Mr Danny Kendall who has taught History in her absence ( we wish him luck in his role as newly elected WCC Councillor for the Wellesbourne ward! ). I will update you in due course regarding any other staff changes for the new academic year.I am pleased to report that the our plans for our new £2.3m classroom block have been passed and the construction will commence next month. In addition we will be building a new all-weather pitch to the rear of the Sports Hall as well as beginning an extensive programme of re-modelling buildings across the site. In view of our planned expansion ( the first 4 form entry arrive in Year 7 this September ) we

are extending and developing study facilities, ICT resources, catering areas and recreational space as well as re-suiting some subjects, creating an 11-16 pastoral hub and enlarging the Sixth Form Studio space. Suffice to say we will be busy over the next 18 months improving the school and making some very exciting and attractive changes. Now where did I put my hard hat? Of course we will keep disruption to a minimum and parents can help at the school gates by parking considerately in view of anticipated construction traffic and our neighbour’s safety and parking needs.As ever, the pages which follow are a snapshot of a thriving and lively school community with many successes and talents to celebrate. My thanks to all those, including parents, who support AGS in providing opportunities and support for our wonderful students and my gratitude to those who make the newsletter and its pages possible.

Yours sincerely

Iain Blaikie

Principal

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English News

Stratford Literary Festival and the English Department meet

Sally Gardner

As part of the Stratford on Avon Literary Festival, published author Sally Gardner recently offered fourteen Year 7 students a fun, practical writing workshop session, helping them create atmosphere, mood and character in their written work. Each student was able to draw on Sally’s immense expertise and she was equally impressed with their creations.Originally from Birmingham, Sally was Smarties Children Book Prize Winner 2005 and Guardian Children’s Fiction Prize winner 2009. Sally’s latest novel ‘Maggot Moon’ has won the Costa Children’s Award 2013 and has also been nominated for the Carnegie Prize 2013. For more information please visit http://www.sallygardner.net/

On 5th March, Finlay Battersby 9S, Aidan Keavy 9N, James Morrow 8S and Izumu Mishima 8N competed on behalf of the school in a regional final of the UMKT team maths challenge, held at Rugby High School. This is a competition held in venues around the UK where the best mathematicians in the country complete a variety of mathematical based challenges. It was a very enjoyable day of Mathematics, strategizing and team work to gain as many points as possible in the time allowed. I am very proud to say that Alcester Grammar School won, beating the school in second place by a singular point! We are currently in the final 80 out of over 1500 schools who entered this completion and will be competing in the final in London on 17th June. ECK

French Exchange

Well, it was ‘different’. A long week in March but with two days snowed up in the heaviest snow the French had seen in Northern

France for 40 years. Some visits had to be cancelled or changed and the French school closed but we managed a visit to a chocolate factory and goat farm in Le Touquet, a walk around Arras and Disney, of course , where that far south they hadn’t seen a single snowflake, much to the teachers’ delight! But the welcome at the Collège Adam de la Halle in Arras was - as ever - as warm as you could get and thanks go to our French colleagues in Aras for coping in a difficult situation.

This has proved to be a popular exchange, now in its sixth year but with pupils who have been back now for the third time! So hopefully no snow next year and a chance to get to Bruges in 2014, and the Vimy Ridge, and to defend AGS’s reputation in the exchange’s traditional Franco-British basketball tournament.

The return leg was at the beginning of this term, with kinder although cold weather, and the familiar visits by the French party to Warwick, Oxford, the Cotswolds, Stratford and London. Lots of tears this year at the end of each leg, so it wasn’t that bad an exchange.

Thanks to Miss Knapp, Mr Wells and Mr Thatcher who accompanied the exchange visit.

Maths News

French News

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Warwickshire Secondary Book Award – March 2013

The annual Warwickshire Secondary Book Award, culminated in March with an exciting Awards Session at the Bridge House Theatre, Warwick School.In preparation for the event our KS3 students read the shortlist of 6 books. These were: Mortal Chaos by Matt Dickinson, The Messenger Bird by Ruth Eastham, Socks Are Not Enough by Mark Lowery, Twelve Minutes to Midnight by Christopher Edge, Undead by Kirsty McKay and Hitler’s Angel by William Osborne.This Reading Award, organised by the Warwickshire Schools’ Library Service, involved reading, reviewing, discussing and then voting for their top three novels; based on “a book that you can’t put down”.

On the Award Day we all gathered at Bridge House Theatre, Warwick School, to

listen to the results and watch some exciting presentations by two of the authors. Please see our Library BLOG, via the school’s intranet or website, with a linked article written by one of our students, who has recently achieved the school’s “Gold Reading Challenge Award”.The conclusion of the whole event was:1st place – Hitler’s Angel’s, 2nd – Undead and 3rd – The Messenger Bird..A very enjoyable occasion with plenty of contributions from all involved.

Book Signing with “Socks Are Not Enough” author “Mark Lowery”.

Gold Award – Edie Hutchinson

Many congratulations to Edie who has just been awarded her Gold Reading Challenge Award. This has been an exceptional achievement which, for the final

Gold Award, required Edie to read 9 books from a mixture of genres and write a review about each book. Her certificate was presented by Miranda Gleaves, who also when in Year 7, successfully achieved her Gold Award.

World Book Night – April 23 2013 – Celebrated by

AGS Library

World Book Night is a celebration of books and reading which sees tens of thousands of passionate volunteers gift specially chosen books. Volunteers hand out 20 copies of their favourite book from a list to members of their community. Our Copy of ‘Noughts and Crosses” was donated by a 6th Form student, Rhiannon Edmunds and we also received “Girl with a Pearl Earring” donated by G Jenkins, who often teaches in the school.

 Library and Information Centre

....working together

....reaching goals together

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World Book Night reaches out to millions of people in the UK who have yet to fall in love with reading in the hope it will start them on a reading journey.World Book Night is about giving books and encouraging reading in those who don’t regularly do so. But it is also about more than that: it’s about people, communities and connections, about reaching out to others and touching lives in the simplest of ways, through the sharing of stories. Please contact: http://

www.worldbooknight.org/

Callum McCrae

Congratulations to Callum, who has just had his first book published, “Learning from j Query”. Callum is a JavaScript developer and this concise guide

helps to expand knowledge of the language. Callum noticed a gap in the market and decided to apply his JavaScript expertise. His book was immediately accepted by an American publishing house. A signed copy is now available in the Library. We wish Callum lots of success for the future.

Further information can be found via http://my.safaribooksonline.com.

Alcester Schools’ Book Award With Dan Freedman

We will be delighted to welcome acclaimed author, Dan Freedman to our school on Wednesday 8th May. Students from three local Alcester schools: Alcester Grammar Academy, Alcester

Academy and St Benedict’s Roman Catholic School will come together to listen to Dan talk about his highly successful series of Jamie Johnson football novels.Dan grew up wanting to be a professional footballer but when that didn’t happen he went on to become a top football journalist. His first book “The Kick Off” was published in 2007 and he then went on to write 5 more books, culminating in “Final Whistle” in 2012. When Dan is not writing he is delivering talks and workshops for schools and we were thrilled to secure his visit here.All the students are tasked with reading five books chosen by the Library Managers of the participating schools with a vote for “their favourite read”. The other titles are Boys Don’t Cry by Malorie Blackman, Divided City by Theresa Breslin, Girl Missing by Sophine McKenzie, Ribblestrop by Andy Mulligan, and The Kick off by Dan Freedman.

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Radio 2 Chris Evans - 500 Word Story Competition 2013

Mrs Beeson, the Head Librarian and an English teacher was delighted to participate in the preliminary judging for this wonderful, inspiring Radio 2 - 500 Word Story competition.

Mrs Beeson in a cartoon hat!

The ethos behind the competition is inspiring young writers and there is set criteria for the judging at the preliminary stage. In the words of Mrs Beeson, “This is an uplifting event and in the group of stories I read, for the younger age group, the range of budding talent was wonderful and making decisions about some of the stories was so close. It’s a clear base for what we like to highlight in our library – the craft of writing and joy of reading!”

This year’s Top 50 shortlist is now online and is being broadcast on Radio 4’s The 4 0’Clock Show -there were over 90,000 entries. The final Gold, Silver and Bronze winners in each category will be announced live on BBC Radio2 on Friday, 31st May.

For more information check out the site: http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/500words/2013/

We have elected new students to help run the houses during 2013-14. Thank you to everyone for the high quality of their applications!

Here are the results;

NEWPORT HOUSE (green)

SPENCER HOUSE (blue)

WELLS HOUSE (orange)

We are also pleased to announce that from September there will be a fourth house to accommodate in the first instance, the extra Year 7 form. The staff nominated names and voted for the new house to be named ‘Dobell’ after Richard Dobell who gave so much of his life to our school.

Library News cont.

House News

Girl Boy

Head Megan Day

Liam Comptom

Deputy Sarah Turner

Gabriel Towell

Sports Rebecca Hope

Joe Isom and

Eoin Fenton

Girl Boy

Head Megan Jones

Joe Denham

Deputy Rosie Irwin and Rachel Hope

Morgun Knight Adams

Sports Lucy Simper

Tom Mayrick and Jonty Edmunds

Girl Boy

Head Hannah Morgan

Elliot Barker

Deputy Frankie Adams

Oli Woolley

Sports Kirsty Pettigrew

Colin Allen

House News

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Art News

Art Exams

All of the Art exams at GCSE and A level have finished now and there has been lots of exciting

work going on in the Art Department over the last few weeks. Congratulations to all of the students who have worked very hard and achieved great

results. Examples of all of the students’ exam work can be seen on the school website.

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Theatre Studies

Year 12s created an outstanding quartet of ensemble pieces for a wonderful ‘Evening of Strange Fascination’. The plays were performed to a large 6th form audience who witnessed comical misunderstandings, twisted tales, obsession and tragedy. Honeymoon Suite by Richard Bean is all set in one hotel room. It is about a couple seen at three different stages of their lives together. The day they were married, an anniversary where their marriage suffers a serious set back and then years later where they try and reconcile their differences with hilarious consequences.

Dissocia by Anthony Neilson had a strange ‘Alice in Wonderland’ quality to it. Lisa has health issues as well as relationship problems. She has lost an hour and the only way to get it back is to visit Dissocia. However, we meet an exciting array of characters including insecurity guards. The play leaves the audience uncertain whether this place exist or it all in her mind.

The Woman Before by Roland Schimmelpfennig was full of psychological menace and accelerating creepiness as a family man doesn’t recognise the woman at the door. She has come to remind him of a promise made twenty years before with fatal consequences.

Finally the beautifully written ‘The Pillowman’ by Martin McDonagh is about a writer in a totalitarian state being interrogated about the gruesome content of his short stories and their similarities to a number of child-murders that are happening in his town. The play was a brilliant portrait of malice, fear a power struggle results two detectives and the two brothers held in custody.

Performance Studies Exams

On Tuesday 23rd April, the Year 12 Performance Studies students transformed Alcester’s St. Nicholas’ Church into their performance venue to complete their Community Performance examination. Their brief: to devise a performance that incorporates the three art forms of drama, dance and music, and which uses the venue as a stimulus for thematic and narrative content. The audience: family and friends and members of the church and local community. The result: This was an uplifting event that showcased the diverse talent of Year 12 students and served to celebrate and enhance the positive relations between Alcester Grammar School and Alcester’s wider community. Well done to the students and thank you to all of you who supported the students in the preparation and performance of this project.

Drama News

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For our Year 13 Performance Studies students Friday 26th April was an important day. A visiting examiner watched and assessed their devised production that showcased their acting, singing and dancing abilities in response to a commission set by the exam board. From a list of ten commissions, Ed and Cleo had chosen the montage picture entitled ‘The Gray Drape’ by artist Martha Rosler, and developed a political performance that explored Rosler’s view regarding America’s response to the Iraqi war. The students also gave an individual performance in their strongest art form. Cleo sang ‘All That Jazz’ from the musical Chicago, incorporating some choreography too, whilst Ed performed a monologue from a Caryl Churchill play entitled Traps. Both students did themselves proud so congratulations to you both and thank you to their families and friends for all the support you’ve given along the journey.

CURTAIN UP CONCERT, May 2nd 2013

“a roaring success”

“incredible progress”

“most of all, everyone looked like they were

really enjoying themselves”

“another impressive and varied

selection…we have enjoyed so many wonderful concerts during this academic

year”

This year’s summer concert featuring music from the stage was an inspirational and polished performance across a range of music genres, proving that music at school continues to go from strength to strength. Testament to the high regard in which concerts are now held was the too-large audience which came to support the very many pupils involved in the event.

The drum group ‘Beat It’ and the Wind Band started toes tapping from the top of the programme. David Wiltshire’s cheeky composition ‘Sailors’ Hornpeep’ and Jenni Bates’ superb solo

performance of Maybe this Time from Cabaret, accompanied by Ruth Alexander, both generated much applause from the audience, as did the ever-popular Girls’ Gospel and Choral Society contributions. To end the first half the Orchestra tackled some challenging Rossini and a huge Broadway medley, with a warm string sound and clean wind playing – quite an achievement.

One of the delights of attending concerts is watching the youngest musicians progress through the ranks. Those incredibly lively singers in Young Voices telling us ‘Everything’s coming up Roses,’ and girls of the Flute Choir, performed with huge enthusiasm boding well for the musical future of school.

A real highlight of the evening was the shining flute solo by Ruth Alexander, brilliantly accompanied by Jess May. The Man Choir’s Cole Porter song featured four very entertaining soloists too. This year’s programme brought together the youngest and oldest to brilliant effect, not least by the Big Band finale of show numbers - a demonstration of really “smooth and razzy” playing. What a superb way to let the curtain down.

Music News

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From the 20th March until the 22nd, the AGS theatre was transformed into Berlin’s coolest, and hottest, venue in town- the Kit Kat Klub - as the setting for our interpretation of the 1966 Broadway musical, Cabaret. Based on a book by Christopher Isherwood, this musical is set in 1931 Berlin as the Nazis are rising to power. It focuses on nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub and revolves around the 19-year-old English cabaret performer, Sally Bowles, and her relationship with a visiting young American writer, Cliff Bradshaw. Sixth formers Jenny Bates and Griffin Mosson were utterly endearing in these lead roles, and successfully conveyed the struggles this couple face in trying to build a stable relationship in such challenging times.

It was not all doom and gloom though. Plenty of laughs were to be had as our charismatic Emcee, played charmingly by Year 12 student Chavonne Brown, led us through satirical song and dance numbers. The Kit Kat girls lifted the mood (and their legs!) in impressive dance numbers involving the popular Can Can.

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A fundamental aspect of the show’s success was the highly gifted pit-band, the members of which had clearly worked hard individually and collaboratively to provide the score of the musical from professional parts. The punchy pzazz and romantic expression from these players both delighted and impressed the audience, and the cast!

Collaboration is certainly the word that sums up the reason for such a successful show. Crucial support was given by Mrs Gregory and Mrs Bremner-Smith in making, assembling and adapting the costumes for the show, and their help on the performance nights was invaluable. It was a pleasure to unite the Music and Drama departments to produce this show, but the true joy of the process was in seeing the vast number of students unite and work so hard together to showcase, develop and enjoy their own unique talents. A huge congratulations and thank you to all involved in the production. For that week at least at Alcester Grammar, life certainly was a Cabaret!

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Upcoming Key Stage Three Prodution: Grimm Tales Retold

Last year saw the success and enjoyment of Year 7, 8 and 9 students’ production of Philip Ridley’s Sparkleshark, which showcased the fantastic talent that we have amongst our younger students. This year some of those students will make a repeat appearance but we also welcome students new to the school as well as some Year 8 and 9 students who have never been involved in a school production. The production is our very own interpretation of a selection of tales by the Grimm Brothers. We are calling it Grimm Tales Retold and each short story is a product of collaborative adaptation between Mrs Spencer and the cast. The story of Hansel and Gretal will serve as the thread that ties the other stories together in what we hope will be a magical adventure with some food for thought along the way. This production also employs the directing talent of four of our Year 9 students who are using the experience to support their completion of their Duke of Edinburgh Award. The show will take place in the AGS theatre on the evening of Thursday 11th July- see you there!

It continues to be a busy time for the PE department with lots of fixtures in a range of activities. The new term sees a change-over of activities, although with such a short Spring term many of the ‘Winter’ sports still remain as well.

Indoor Athletics

Following their success at the Coventry, Solihull, Warwickshire games in March, the Year 7 boys and Year 8 girls progressed as Champions to the West Midlands regional competition. As expected, the competition was tough as we competed against schools from Staffordshire, Shropshire, Worcestershire, Wolverhampton and Birmingham. The Year 7 boys team achieved 3rd place, and the Year 8 girls WON! A fabulous achievement, and just a shame that there is no National competition to progress on to.

JCA Netball, Condover Hall

From 15th – 17th March, 31 Year 7 and 8 girls travelled to Condover Hall in Shropshire for a nationwide netball tournament,

run by JCA (Junior Choice Adventure).

JCA are a similar company to PGL and so as well as netball there were adventurous activities on offer. After day 1, some great netball had been played and the Year 8A team had won all but one match. The Year 7A team were also looking like making a semi-final place on day 2. Unfortunately, the weather had different ideas and overnight we had 3 inches of snow – not conducive to netball playing! Although the tournament was cancelled, the Year 8s had done enough to earn a runners-up medal. And more importantly the girls had great fun on the activities (see photo!) and hopefully still had a worthwhile experience.

We’ll be back for more next year! Many thanks to Mr Richens, Lucy Richens and Jo Vanson who helped support the trip.

Sports NewsForthcoming Productions

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Aberdare Cup Tennis

The girls’ senior tennis team are through to the next round of the Aberdare Cup, having beaten Newcastle-under-Lyme school in the last round. They face Ellesmere College in June, and if they can beat them will reach the National finals. Good Luck!

Combined Athletics

Students from Years 7/8/9 and 10 competed in the Combined Athletics event in Nuneaton earlier this month. Combined events is multi events i.e. each child competes in a minimum of 4 events each, and they score points for each event. Totals added up for individual and team results.

The Year 7 boys team (Noah Heward, James Bunting, Joe Hunt) came 3rd, the Year 8/9 boys team (Tom Taylor, Callum Farrow and Alfie Wilson) came 4th.

The Year 7 girls team won (Evelyn Mallon, Georgina Mitchell, Taz Chape) and Georgie won the individual event.

The Year 8/9 girls won (Charlotte Rigby, Emily Forman, Tara Smyth) and Emily Forman won the individual and the Year 10 girls came 2nd (Molly Phillips, Harriet Green, Anna Gamble) and all of them finished in the top 10 individually.

Rugby 7’s

On Wednesday 27th March, the 6th form rugby team took part in the annual Prince Henry’ 7’s tournament. Having come 3rd last year, hopes and expectations were high despite the short preparation time for this event. The three pool fixtures proved to be a real challenge, with the eventual Cup winners and runners up unfortunately being AGS’s first two matches. The draw into the plate competition gave the team their first win, finally adapting to a 7’s style of play and passing the ball fluently. With tired legs, AGS

competed against Prince Henry’s in the Plate final in a well matched game in which they were victorious. A great effort all round and a well-deserved trophy in the cabinet.

From 11th – 15th March AGS celebrated Comic Relief with a week of events, which included; mixed netball, mixed football, a bake-off and a non-uniform day. Many thanks to the sixth form charity reps (Becky Cooper, Toby Russell, Jenni Bates, and assistant Anna Jeffs) who organised the week. Lots of fun was had by everyone and over £1200 was raised.Reminder: The form charity fundraising deadline is Friday 24th May. Well Done to those forms who have already raised significant amounts of money for their chosen charities.

Charity News

Page 14

Science Updates

The Big Bang is the largest celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths for young people in the UK. Following his success at the Nuffield Bursary Regional Final, Steve Capper (Year 13) was nominated to present his work at the National Finals in London over two days. Steve presented to a mixed audience including politicians, engineers and young scientists visiting the fair. His project can be seen on display in the biology corridor and you can follow this link (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFLkXOUDO_M) to find out more about this competition. Well done Steve – a fantastic achievement.

Year 12 / 13 Chemistry Olympiad

After a busy start to the term preparing for their AS and A2 module exams, 20 year 12 and 13 pupils attended revision lessons and entered the 1st round of the Royal Society of International Chemistry Olympiad. The pupils

sat a challenging 2 hour paper this week and performed exceptionally well. Our top performers were Sarah Merelie (Year 12) and Helen Wickins (Year 13) who both achieved gold awards, placing them in the top 7% of all entries across the country. Many congratulations to the following pupils for their excellent achievements in a very demanding paper:

Silver: Heather Britton. Chris Caldicott, Chris Cardwell, Beth Davies, Rhiannon Edmunds, Oli Farr, Hannah Flower, Maddy Glasbey, Simon Godfrey, Emily Hadrill, Rob Horne, Joanna Kondratowicz, Monika Kondratowicz, Josh Marsh, Henry Mason, Ned Plackett, Jessica Smith, Melissa Spinks, Zoe Taylor, Sam Tomlinson, Holly Tremellen and Ginny Whiston

Bronze: Dom Belcher

The Cambridge Chemistry

The Cambridge Chemistry Challenge, an innovative web-based competition for chemists. The new monthly online challenge is open to anyone, any age, from anywhere in the world and has been running from November and will finish in June. The monthly challenge has five levels and pupils can use

whatever means you like to solve the problems.

Can you answer this months entry level question?

Over 15 pupils across the school have enjoyed this challenge each month, many of them staying up until midnight on the 1st of each month in an attempt to secure their places on the world leader board. April was a tough competition with Year 12 pupils finishing way ahead of many of the Year 13 pupils who enter each month. This threw down the gauntlet to Year 13 and Helen Wickins completed in the May challenge in an extremely impressive 36 minutes placing her 19th overall in the world and 12th in the under 18s.

Dom Belcher who was top of the school leader board in April, finished closely behind her completing the challenge in 43 minutes.

Science News

Page 15

Once again we have enjoyed considerable success in this competition and AGS pupils (Dan Mason, Chris Caldicott, Simon Godfrey, Chris Cardwell and Ned Plackett – all Year 12) are currently placed 10th – 15th inclusive on the overall world leader board. An incredible achievement. Special mention must also go to our Year 11 team, captained by Dan Rhymer for their achievements and to Izumu Mishima (Year 8) who has completed all 7 of the challenges to date – well done to all.

The Lower 6th Competition

In June there is a written exam for students in Year 12 – please look out for training sessions for this being advertised over the coming weeks. We look forward to many of you taking part. We are currently the only state school in the country and one of only 5 schools to have pupils finishing in the top 1% in this competition for the past two years. Can we repeat this success this year?

YASS – Open University Modules

Following the successful launch of the YASS scheme 3 years ago we have now had over 60 students from Years 11 and 12 successfully complete 10 point

OU modules, in a range of subjects from Astronomy to Archaeology. There have been some changes to the program this year as a result of changes to university funding of courses. However, it is possible to sign up for Science Short courses in subjects such as : Learn about sport: the science behind the medals, nuclear energy, the frozen planet, living without oil, galaxies, stars and planets, plants and people, the weather, human genetics and health issues, microbes and molecules, medicines and drugsTo find out more follow this link to the OU web site http://www.open.ac.uk/science/main/studying-science/science-short-courses/learn-about-science-online-short-courses, where you can register for your chosen course. We organise workshops at the start of September to help pupils to complete their assignments. Please contact Dr Ro for more information about either of these opportunities.

Y8/9 Physic Trip to Fleet Air Arm Museum.

On 19th April we took 25 year 8 and 9 girls down to Fleet Air Arm Museum in Yeovilton to take part in an initiative called Girls Get Set. The event is run by GE Aviation in Cheltenham and is aimed at promoting science,

engineering and technology (SET) amongst teenage girls.We joined forces with girls from Ridgeway Middle School to take part in a design an aircraft challenge.The girls were given an emergency situation which required an aircraft rescue at sea. They were given a series of objectives and had to design an aircraft that could be used in this situation.Having been set their task they were assigned an “expert” from GE and were free to roam the museum amongst the Concorde, MIGs and Wessex Helicopters, and a variety of other aircraft where they had to research the different types of engines, wings, propellers etc to enable them to design an aircraft that met the brief.They spent time in their teams producing drawings and presentations which were then shown to the rest of the group and a panel of judges from GE. The girls worked brilliantly in their teams despite some initial reservations about working with people they didn’t know.When the time came to present, the girls were confident and knowledgeable and were able to explain why they had chosen the relevant components given their initial brief.

16

Certificates were awarded for the team who worked together most successfully, as well as for the team who came up with the best design. It was a long day but a really enjoyable one, with the girls learning a bit more about aviation and engineering, as well as how to work together to solve a problem, and present ideas to a judging panel; we even got to go on Concorde! I was thoroughly impressed by the girls throughout the day, and very much look forward to taking them on the final celebration event to be held at GE at the end of term.

Y13 Physics Visit to the Large Hadron Collider 2013

A few weeks ago we joined forces with students from Bromsgrove School and visited Geneva. The main aim of the trip was to visit CERN and the Large Hadron Collider; the world’s largest and most powerful particle accelerator, but whilst we were there we were lucky enough to be able to spend some time exploring Geneva. We spent 2 days at CERN beginning with a guided tour around the control rooms where they monitor all the data received by the detectors. The LHC had just been turned off to undergo maintenance so we were lucky enough to be able to take the long journey 100m underground to visit one of the smaller detectors.

Donned with our hard hats we got into the elevator, accompanied by two of the leading physicists currently working on CMS, the detector we visited. Despite being one of the smaller detectors it’s size was impressive and it was difficult to imagine the amount of time that must have gone into engineering such a huge piece of machinery.

During this time we were able to ask questions which had cropped up during our work in lessons on particle physics and it was great to hear leading scientists speaking so passionately about what they did; even if at times bits of it went a little over our heads!

During our visit we were also able to visit Geneva’s “History of Science” museum and the United Nations building which was really impressive; a huge building with extremely high levels of security (rumour had it Ban Ki-moon was visiting that day!) We

also explored the city, making use of it’s brilliant public transport and sampling some of it’s delicious, if a little expensive, food!!!All in all we had an incredible time visiting Geneva, and came home wearing our CERN t-shirts to prove it.Heather Britton, Year 13

Science News

Page 17

Facilities Hire

TheatreThe purpose built theatre is ideal for plays, concerts, lectures, and dance. The theatre has a small welcoming area for guests and tiered seating that can accommodate approx.165 spectators. There is a backstage area for performers, a lighting box for qualified users and an area to serve refreshments.

Community/Conference RoomThe conference/community room is situated in the Sports Centre and is ideal for business meetings, community events and clubs. The seating can also be moved to accommodate classes such as Pilates and Yoga.There is a large Reception area, projector, screen, whiteboard and access to wired internet (no wireless)

ClassroomAlcester Grammar School has a variety of classrooms available for training sessions and educational courses. These can be used in conjunction with other bookings or on their own. Each classroom has a projector, screen, whiteboard and wired internet access (no wireless).

Café AreaThis is an informal area with chairs, tables and sofas and is an ideal space to serve refreshments.

Dance StudioThe dance studio is suitable for dance classes, yoga, Pilates and gymnastics. The facilities include a sprung floor, mirrored wall and extendable gym equipment.

Sports HallThe aim of Alcester Grammar School Sports Facility is to develop sport, particularly for young participants, by making the facility available to sports clubs who offer structured sporting opportunities, or by providing sessions run by qualified coaches.The Sports Hall is available for booking 6-10pm Monday-Friday. Weekend availability is dependent on business needs.

Page 18

Financial Support

Whilst we have a finite budget at AGS you should be aware that there are some means available by which we can support some students financially.

1. There are sums provided nationally for some students aged 19 or below, to receive Free School Meals. In order to qualify for this support the criteria are as follows:

• family receives Income Support or Income-Based Job Seekers Allowance. Please note, Contribution-Based Job Seeker's Allowance does not qualify for free school meals.

• family receives the Guarantee element of State Pension Credit.

• family receives Child Tax Credit and has an annual taxable income, as assessed by HMRC, not in excess of £16,190. Please note, families who are also awarded Working Tax Credit do not qualify to claim free school meals regardless of income.

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

• Employment and Support Allowance (Income Related). Please note, Contribution-Based E&SA does not qualify for free school meals.

You can apply online http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals or alternatively you can apply by telephone on 01926 742060. If successful, funds are credited to your child’s dinner account without anybody else’s knowledge.

2. When you successfully apply for free school meals the school will receive Pupil Premium funding, even if your child does not want the meal. AGS primarily use this funding for 1:1 teaching assistant support for Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 students in receipt of free school meals. The decision on this support is made by the Head of Key Stage in conjunction with the student and their parents/guardians. Where 1:1 support is not provided you may apply for support from the Pupil Premium fund to support the list of bursary items below. Please apply in writing to your child’s Head of Key Stage if you wish to access this funding.Please also be aware that if your family is registered for free school meals you may be eligible to claim other forms of assistance, for instance with home to school transport.

3. The former Education Maintenance Allowance, which was paid to post-16 students, has been replaced by a Bursary Fund which the Sixth Form Office now manages. This can be used to support the list of bursary items below. Please apply to Mr Young, Head of Sixth Form, ( i.young@alcestergs.com ) who manages this account sensitively and again in strictest confidence.

4. The AGS School Fund, into which many people pay regularly and generously, along with other small trust funds, can be used on occasion to subsidise costs of the bursary items below on a case by case basis. In this respect you should write or e-mail me directly ( principal@alcestergs.com ) in order that I can consider making a contribution to such costs.

Bursary items that will be considered:

• Music lessons• PE kit• School uniform• School related equipment, e.g. scientific calculator• Home study equipment, e.g. desk, lamp• Support in funding of curriculum focused visits e.g. Geography field trip• Duke of Edinburgh

We understand that this is a sensitive issue and many people will be keen to uphold their family pride but this can be achieved at the same time as accessing some albeit modest support which can make a difference and, above all, ensure that young people are able to access the fullness of the menu which we want to be available to the maximum number of students.

Therefore, please feel able to contact us in complete confidence should you wish to apply for support or discuss your particular situation. In appropriate cases we will help if we can.

Page 19

Alcester Grammar School Term Dates 2013-14

AUTUMN TERM Term begins Tuesday 3rd September 2013 (Y7 welcome day) Wednesday 4th September 2013 (Y12 welcome day and Y8-11 term begins) Thursday 5th September 2013 (Y13 term begins)

Half-term 28th October – 1st November 2013 (inclusive)

Term ends Tuesday 17th December 2013 (NB – in previous years we have broken up on Friday)

SPRING TERM Term begins Monday 6th January 2014 Please note Thursday 6th February 2014 (no students in school during the day)

Half-term 17th – 21st February 2014 (inclusive)

Term ends Friday 11th April 2014

SUMMER TERM Term begins Monday 28th April 2014

May Bank Holiday Monday 5th May 2014

Half-term 26th – 30th May 2014 (inclusive)

Term ends Friday 18th July 2014

Dates for Diary

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Monday 17th June Y7 Induction Evening 7pmTuesday 18th June Y7 Induction DayTuesday 25th June Y12 Community Day Wednesday 26th June New Y12 Induction Evening, 3.00pm, 5.30pm and 7pmThursday 4th July Prospective Y7 Open Evening, 6.00 - 8.00pmThursday 11th July KS3 Drama Production - Grimm Tales Retold, 7pmFriday 12th July KS3 Awards Afternoon, 2.15pm - 3.40pm

Leavers' Assembly and lunchtime farewell The Year 13 elected students took full school

assembly last Friday to bid farewell to the rest of the school and officially step down from their roles as Head/Deputy Boy/Girl and Chairpersons. The assembly (interupted by pacman and culminating

in a whole school dance routine) featured all seven elected students giving their one favourite memory of a particular year at AGS. Not a dry eye in the

house.At lunchtime Year 13 met in the Maths Quad for

speeches, 'awards', music and the traditional gunging roulette played by Chris McIsaac, Maddie

Glasbey and Mr Young - with dead fish and kitchen waste the contribution of new Head Boy

and Girl Griffin Mosson and Jess Smith.