MANGOTSFIELD SCHOOL BULLETIN
May 2017
Headteacher's News
Welcome to the Bulletin.
We are in full swing with our new Behaviour for Learning system, Ready to Learn. The overall impact on the school learning environment has been extraordinary - calm, focussed classrooms where teachers are covering more ground and where the bar has been raised, students punctual and no dead time, less litter and, as one colleague commented, it ‘feels like a really nice place’. Clearly, we have to work hard to ensure there is consistency and, naturally, there will be the odd glitch. We are, as a Leadership Team, walking the school every day to focus on getting into each classroom to look at learning and the learning climate. Learning has to come first, so that we can accelerate the progress of every individual student.
We were delighted to welcome Col Richard Kemp to school recently to lead writing workshops with the boys in Year 11. He used his wartime writings as a platform for the boys to practise in the style of their English GCSE. It was a privilege to have a visit from such an eminent writer on warfare, and I am indebted to Mr Gibson, Ms Davies and Mrs Barnett for their work in setting up the visit to be such a success.
With the Year 11 exam season fast approaching I would like to make sure that there is no confusion regarding ‘ Study leave’. Students will be in school on a full timetable until Friday 16th June.
Thank you also to Ms Phillips for driving a new initiative called ‘Future Quest’. A targeted group of students in Year 9 and 10 go on visits to University as well as cultural visits. On Wednesday 17th May some Year 10s took part in a profiling activity at Bordeaux Quay restaurant in central Bristol. There are 4 more visits in Term 6 to Clifton Suspension Bridge, Bristol University, Houses of Parliament and other Universities.
David Spence
Наши гости из России - Our Guests from Russia
We received gifts of artwork by a talented Russian student
Mr. Spence welcomes the students, teachers and parents
Two Russian students recite Shakespeare in English
Over the last month Mangotsfield has been visited by two sets of visitors from several schools in Russia. Students, teachers and parents from two schools near Moscow were in the first party and schools from Belarus came later in the month. Our visitors entertained us with singing and dancing, recitations in both English and Russian and brought gifts of artwork and books.
Our students were 'buddied' with their Russian counterpoints and spent the morning in lessons and with a tour around the school. Some of our students had brought English sweets and comics to give to their buddies.
The Russian teachers were fascinated by the way an English school is run and the way that children are taught here. Staff were bombarded by questions on everything from the length of the school day (ours is much shorter) to the quality of the school meals (ours are much better).
Some of our students exchanged e-mail addresses with their Russian buddies and have been corresponding with each other since the visits.
German Pen-Friends
In German lessons some of our Year 9 students have been writing to their pen pals at our partner school in Germany. This helps them to improve their English, German and cultural knowledge.
Years 8, 9 and 10 were set homework entitled "Surprise Me!". Students were allowed to make, bake, paint, or write anything connected to Germany, Austria or Switzerland. Students showed their classmates what they had made and explained the connections to the German speaking countries. There is more to learning languages than grammar and vocabulary!
Frau James
House News
Chase
It has been another successful term in Chase House. We have trained up new literacy ambassadors whose responsibility is to cover the Toe by Toe literacy scheme which helps to improve reading across the house. It is linked to the house values of academic achievement and looking after our own. We also distributed 'Chase Star Awards' in the first 2 weeks of term and there will be another batch in Term 6.
Miss Hawkins
Pomphrey
Pomphrey is still in the running to take the prize! We need you to up your game though now folks! Tokens and participation is key. Pomphrey participates - it's who we are, so come on! New leadership roles being advertised soon and applications from all year groups welcome. Details to follow...
Miss Vincent
Rodway
Mr Fear
Siston
I am so proud of the Siston students every morning as I welcome them into the school. They are looking razor sharp in their uniform; with shirts tucked in, blazers on and the correct shoes. I know the students are wearing their green coloured tie with pride and I am privileged to lead the house.
As we enter a time of change for the school, Siston students are really showing that they are ‘ready to learn’. Students are on time for school and lessons and attendance has seen an improvement. We have made improvements with our house attendance with this term seeing over 200 students each week with 100% attendance. Siston 2 won the prize for best attendance in the first week and there was a three way tie in the second week with prizes being awarded to S2, S5 & S11.
Well done to those students who have earned house points for our team already this term; Aidan Connolly (S1), Bethany Stephens (S4), Casey Perrett (S5), Sam Kelly (S10), Oscar Neville (S12), Kyle Arscott (S5) and Olivia Lewis (S4).
Also huge congratulations to the Siston students who took part in walking across the countryside of Bristol and Bath this weekend as part of their Duke of Edinburgh expeditions. (Bethany Donovan, Diana Wola, Adele Skenderoff, Megan Bush, Jack Lockwood & Maisie Jerred) - a real achievement - well done!
Mr. Emery
House Reading Challenge
The current word count is:
Chase 15 582 974
Pomphrey 14 506 973
Rodway 13 190 285
Siston 12 206 460
Mrs Wells
Summer Reading Challenge
A Message from Finance
Please could parents give students the exact denomination of cash if using the payment machines? We are getting more and more students coming into our office asking to change £10 and £20 notes. This is time consuming and means we often run out of change.
It's very easy to top up online. Just go to the 'Parents' tab on the school website and click on 'online payments'. If you have not already registered to do this, please contact the Finance Office at finance@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk or telephone 01454 862738.
Thank you
Finance Team
Sports Update
South Gloucestershire Cup Winners - Again... and Again!
Our Year 10 boys became the champions of Bristol for a fourth year running, beating Bedminster Down 9 - 2 in the final. A fantastic team performance throughout with goals from: Max Williams 4, Ryley Towler 2, Bailey Sloper 1, Oli Hulbert 1 and Joe Beardwell 1.
Also, for the fourth time in a row, the boys became champions of Gloucestershire. Over 80 schools were competing in this event. They beat Archway School in a dominant display from the outset, winning 8 - 0. Goals came from Joe Beardwell 3, Max Williams 3, Bailey Sloper 1, and Ryley Towler 1.
The team has also progressed to the quarter-finals of the Woodcock Shield and are aiming to get to the final, which will be played at Ashton Gate.
Mr. Hawkins
Stop Press......
Careers
Apprenticeship Opportunity
Work Experience
Please could all Year 10 placement paperwork be returned to Miss Phillips by the end of Term 5 at the latest.
Thank You
North Bristol NHS Trust
Careers Event and Opening Evening
Do you want to be part of a leading acute NHS hospital in
South West England?
Joining us will give you excellent professional development opportunities and valuable experience with outstanding staff benefits. There are over 250 different roles in the NHS, including jobs as caterers, housekeepers, nurses, porters, electricians, plumbers, surgeons, healthcare support workers, dieticians, physio and occupational therapists, doctors, scientists, etc.
If you want to find out more, come along to the North Bristol NHS Trust’s Careers Event and Open Evening on:
Tuesday 18th July 2017 from 5.30 – 8.00pm
at the Learning and Research Centre,
North Bristol NHS Trust, Southmead Hospital
You can find out about all the learning and developmental opportunities and pathways available. There will also be experts available to talk to you about current vacancies and how to apply. There will be course leaders, trainers and experts on hand to provide you with information about:
· Joining the hospital
· Apprenticeships
· Traineeships
· Support worker roles
· Careers in nursing, midwifery and medicine
· Work experience / observational days
· Functional skills (Maths, English and ICT)
· Continuing Professional Development
You will also have the opportunity for some hands-on experience and interactive activities with some of our training equipment.
So please just come along on the night. If you would like further information about this Careers Event, please contact Olly Milton-Newland on 0117 4149273 or Olly.Milton-Newland@nbt.nhs.uk. For a map of the Hospital showing the venue please click here.
Tropical Animals
We recently enjoyed a visit from Steve of DWAEC (Dinosaur, Wildlife and Education Centre). He brought animals with him that are found in tropical rainforest and desert areas and described how they have adapted to their habitats.
The star of the show was an enormous 4 year old female reticulated python which took Steve and 7 students to hold. This species of python is found in South East Asia and the longest recorded length is 33 feet. This particular snake was less than half that size, but will continue to grow.
The students were also able to handle some of the other animals including meercats, tarantula, a parrot and a bullfrog called 'Shrek'.
Contact e-mail addresses
To ensure your emails get quickly to the right member of staff, and to respond to parental feedback, we have created the following dedicated e-mail addresses:
exams@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
studentabsence@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
sixthform@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
teaching@mangotsfieldschool.org.uk
E-mails to any of these accounts will be directed immediately to the department concerned who will reply via that e-mail address. If you know the name of the teacher you wish to contact, please add it to the subject line to ensure a prompt reply.
Thank you.
Dates for Your Diary
Monday 5th June 2017: Start of Term 6
Term Dates 2016-17
Term 1
Thursday 1 September 2016
Friday 21 October 2016
Term 2
Monday 31 October 2016
Friday 16 December 2016
Term 3
Tuesday 3 January 2017
Friday 10 February 2017
Term 4
Monday 20 February 2017
Friday 7 April 2017
Term 5
Monday 24 April 2017
Friday 26 May 2017
Term 6
Monday 5 June 2017
Friday 21 July 2017
Inset Days 2017 - 18
Friday 1st September 2017
Friday 20th October 2017
Monday 18th December 2017
Tuesday 2nd January 2018
Monday 9th April 2018