Shoeburyness
High School
Caulfield Road
Shoeburyness
Essex
SS3 9LL
Tel: 01702 292286
Fax: 01702 292333
E-mail:
schooloffice@shoeburyn
ess.southend.sch.uk
Website:
www.shoeburyness
high.co.uk
Issue
The Head’s Lines …
Wow, where did this last term go and what a term it has been! It started with our Performing Arts
students being invited to perform at the Shard. The staff and visitors could not believe that they were
students from a school and not a professional group. Of course it was no surprise to us in Shoeburyness
as we have been treated to West End standard performances from our young people for years.
Our partnership with the Icelandic Education Authority continues. We have had visits this term from
the Maths and Science staff to observe our lessons and find out how Shoeburyness has raised its
results. Nearer to home we also had a visit from a school in Brighton eager to see how Shoeburyness has
achieved so highly. It is a huge compliment to pupils, parents and staff, but, of course, we still are not
the best in the country so the journey continues.
At the end of January we received news that the school is going to be a national hub centre for combat
sports including judo, wrestling, boxing and taekwondo.
This is fantastic news - it will mean more
opportunities and visits from sporting stars for our young people.
Already this term we have had
Jeanette Kwakye visit, the first British woman in 24 years to reach a 100m final in an Olympic Games and
the 60m British record holder. More recently Hannah Beharry, who has boxed for England and Great
Britain with a string of gold medals under her belt, has visited and will be coming back in 6 weeks. Her
story is a true inspiration to young people.
February saw the school performance tables published. They showed the excellent progress we have
made compared with similar schools nationally.
We are 7 th and, with schools which have a similar
percentage of disadvantaged students, we are top by a clear margin.
In fact “there is no statistically
better performing school within this group that is within a 75 mile radius of the school”. This is a huge
boost for us all but, as I said earlier in this article, there is still much more to do.
The ski trip went as usual over half term and as always was a huge hit not just with the students and
staff who went but with the ski company who organised the trip, describing our students as “brilliant”.
The success of the school and its reputation continues to grow with our being heavily oversubscribed for
next year. Our waiting list is now 122 for the next Year 7 intake and we already have 25 appeals lodged.
It is not just the improvement in our results that has created this, it is the whole package of sporting
success, performance in the arts including dance, theatre and now, of course, the biggest school
orchestra in Southend. It is the range of subjects on offer, including 2 languages and a sixth form that
grows year on year, BUT most of all it is the fantastic Shoebury community, fantastic enthusiastic
students, dedicated staff who work until they drop, supportive parents and wider community and positive
can-do attitude. Yes, Shoebury is distinctive - it is different and we are proud we are!
Proud of our Students, Proud of our School.
Mr M Schofield, Headteacher
Ski Trip 2015
After a year break the Shoeburyness High School Ski Trip was up and running again. On
Saturday, 14 February the week-long trip left school on our luxury coach bound for a new
destination for the school, Arinsal in Andorra. On board we had 34 excited students and 4
similarly excited staff – although at times I’m sure the staff were the more excitable ones!
After a long journey, with a slight detour around the outskirts of Paris, we arrived at the Hotel
Solana at around 4pm on the 15 Feb; we organised rooming and got our boots, skis, poles
and helmets ready for the week’s skiing. With only a short walk to the ski lift each day it gave
us plenty of time in the mornings to get ready and meet our instructors for the day’s skiing
ahead. The ski area of Arinsal and Pal offered students of varying abilities superb skiing and
we were soon up on the slopes exploring. Students enjoyed the relatively empty slopes at
times, enjoyed themselves in the fun parks and improved their skiing ability. The weather
was great throughout the week with a mixture of sun, snow and fog for the students to
experience.
The week was a superb success – all of the students enjoyed their experience and were a
credit to themselves and the school. The students were praised by the coach drivers, their
instructors and our PGL ski rep for being a lovely group of young adults and making the week
one to remember. I would like to thank all of the students who were on the trip for making it
a wonderful week and for making all of the organisation that the staff put into the trip so
completely worthwhile.
One thing’s for sure, the ‘skiing bug’ is definitely still alive and kicking and continuing at
Shoeburyness High School!
Check out the 2015 ski trip video on YouTube that one of our Year 11 students (Alex
Chapman) edited from several hours of GoPro footage taken during the week. Search for
Shoeburyness High School 2015.
Martin Root, Ski Trip Party Leader
Ski Trip 2016
Next year’s trip will be going to Austria over February half term. Places are filling up, but
there are still a few available. If you are interested in going on the trip please get a letter
from Miss Young, Mr Curtis, Mrs Frost or Mr Root.
Year 8 Basketball Champions
For the first time in over 15 years the boys of Shoeburyness High School have claimed some Basketball silverware. The Year 8’s, coached by PE teacher Mr Miller, have maintained a 100% record throughout the season
against their borough opposition, scoring 479 points and conceding just 168. The dedicated team of young men
showed huge amounts of potential last year and have continued this commitment and determination to improve, training 4 times a week before and after school whilst also being found begging to be allowed in the
sports hall every lunch time to get in some extra practice.
The final round of fixtures saw Shoebury pitched against reigning champions Southend High for the honour of
being crowned league and cup champions. In a game that was always going to be close, Shoebury had claimed
bragging rights before Xmas with a slim twelve point win. Cheered on by a big following of students, teachers
and parents, the neutral venue of Cecil Jones soon felt like Shoebury was playing at home. Shoebury’s starting
five of Young, Coles, Oloyede, Bussens and Allen, raced into a first quarter lead, restricting the reigning champions to just 4 points. Contributions from the bench in the second quarter from Knight and Alston meant Shoebury would lead the first half by 13 points. Southend had cut the deficit to just 10 points by the end of the third
to set up an exciting final quarter. Nerves finally began to show with Shoebury missing a number of free throws
and turning the ball over, allowing Southend to close the gap to 7 points with a minute to go. By the time Young
had turned the ball over and Oloyede had slipped over, the momentum was fully with Southend and only 3
points separated the teams with 9 seconds on the clock remaining. Oloyede regained his composure and looked
after the ball to run the clock down meaning Shoebury would become champions with a 53-50 win, Young leading the way with 14 blocks, Bussens 11 rebounds, Coles 9 points and Oloyede the MVP with 20 points.
The season’s success may continue with Shoebury performing fantastically so far in both county and national
competitions. The under-13 team have progressed through the county first-group stage and will progress
through to the semi-finals if they win their remaining game against St Martin’s of Brentwood after beating FitzWarc in their first game. The national competitions have seen the boys claim a 3-1 record and will now face the
winners from the Sussex Pool, knowing that if they can get through this tricky fixture they are just 3 games away
from the final fours.
PE teacher and Basketball coach Mr Miler feels the results are a true reflection on all the members of the Year 8
squad. They have been brilliant this year and have shown so much commitment to develop their Basketball,
hopefully we can maintain this momentum and reach the county finals in March.
Bottom row (l to r) - Jack Allen, Bailey Alston, Mario Stefan, Morgan Ellis, Charlie Coles, Mackenzie Ritchie
Top row (l to r) - Owen Young , Toby Knight, Chudi Appah-Okwuone, Josh Bussens, Alex Downer, David Oloyede
Gamelan Music Trip
On Friday, 27 February we went on a music trip to play a set of Gamelan.
Gamelan is a style of music which is an important part of Indonesian culture. Gamelan music is
very different from most European and American musical traditions. The main instruments are
gongs, metallophones and drums. Gamelan is played at celebrations, religious events and for
entertainment by a large group in the community who have passed down the traditions and
knowledge of learning to play these instruments and music.
I really enjoyed this trip. I had a great day out playing in a new ensemble piece and enjoyed even
more being able to take part with some friends. It was a good experience and I liked learning
how to play all the different parts and instruments that make up a Gamelan set. I also enjoyed
learning how to play different tunes on each of the types of instruments and learning about the
culture. I would like to go again and have another chance to play Gamelan music and I can now
use this knowledge towards my GCSE music course.
Chloe Sandford (Year 10)
Spring Music Concert
On Tuesday, 24 March this week our Music Department held their annual spring concert and
what an amazing success it was! Last year was busy; however, this year was absolutely
brimming, with over 120 students taking part, playing instruments and/or singing their hearts
out in what was a fantastic evening of entertainment. Mr Rudd and I have been working
recently with Richmond Junior School, delivering their music lessons, which meant that we also
had a Richmond choir performing too, which was fantastic! This was also our most popular
concert, playing to a sell-out crowd of appreciative music lovers.
Highlights
included
the
spectacular opening salvo of
sound that was Drum Line,
with their frenetic beats,
acting and basketballs! The
Concert Band then played
themes from Jurassic Park
followed by Happy and I’m
sure that you can appreciate the sound that comes from a 100-strong concert band! (The biggest
in the Borough by some 50
players!) They really got the
evening off to a breath-taking
start. Jazz Band renditions of
Moves like Jagger followed,
along with vocal solos from
Isabelle Giles in Year 9 and a
performance by Jack Reason in
Year 10.
We also said goodbye to a number
of Year 13 students and wished them
good luck in their futures at
university after many valuable years
of contributions to music at
Shoeburyness High School. We shall
miss them all, as they will miss us
too, as proven by Lizzie Welsh, who
invited a host of ex-students back to
the school to play a Stevie Wonder Medley, which was fantastic. She also bought me a pair of
glow-in-the-dark gloves, so that the show band can see me conduct during show week.
The evening ended with a
rousing medley of Jersey Boys
songs and everyone left the
building feeling thoroughly
entertained.
Well done to all students and
the awesome staff!
Mr P Heron
YEAR 10 AMA
VISIT EMMANUEL COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
In March, a group of our Year 10 AMA students visited Cambridge University’s
Emmanuel College as part of the Aim Higher Project. This visit was to give them a
taste of life at university, including what to aim for and all the requirements they
would need to meet. The pupils took part in a debate, listened to a talk from a 23
year-old PhD maths student and ended the day by feeling that the experience had
been hugely beneficial to their learning and aspirations.
J Adams
Ypres Salient Trip
On Friday, 20 March the History Department took 42 Year 9 students to Ypres as part of their
study of WW1. The tour was incredibly moving and valuable and the students all said they had a
fantastic and memorable time. Our tour guide said that “[the students] were very attentive,
polite and inquisitive, with many excellent questions being asked. The students are certainly a
fine reflection upon you and your department in particular, as well as the school in general”. We
would like to say a big well done to all students who attended for their behaviour throughout the
day and we look forward to another successful trip next year.
Mr Cottee and the History Department
French amateur astroimager
Thierry Legault had to drive
’many miles’ to catch this
astounding image of the solar
eclipse on 20 March which
includes the passage of the
International Space Station.
While the eclipse itself lasted
around 2 hours, the passage of
the Space Station across the
Suns disk lasted a mere 0.6
seconds which means that
Thierry had to be in exactly the
right place at exactly the right
time and hope that the weather
would be clear enough for him
to capture this amazing ’double’
eclipse.
The solar panels of
the Space Station are clearly
visible.
Last Friday (20 March) saw not only the first official day of spring but also the first solar eclipse
since August 1999. Unfortunately for those in Essex the only thing we saw was a blanket of cloud which
put paid to any chance of seeing this celestial spectacle. Had it been clear at around 9.30am 85% of the
Sun’s disk would have been hidden from view by the silhouette of the Moon’s disk.
From the Faroe Islands, however, between NW Scotland and Iceland, observers were treated to a total
eclipse. For just a few minutes the full shadow of the Moon passed by, giving those present the
impression of day being turned into night. The temperature drops and an eerie feel grips the air, creating
what many eclipse watchers describe as a truly unique atmosphere. A few minutes later and, as the Sun
comes out once again from behind the Moon’s disk, normal daylight is returned. No other astronomical
event has such a direct and dramatic effect as a total eclipse.
Solar eclipses happen, as seen from Earth, due to a very remarkable coincidence. The Sun is around
1.5 million kms across and 150 million kms away. It is 400 times larger than the Moon but it is also 400
times further away which means that from our point of view the Sun and Moon appear in the sky almost
exactly the same size. However, the Moon’s path through the sky and that of the Sun are slightly different
so we do not see solar eclipses every month. They only occur only when the Sun, Moon and Earth line
up exactly—as they did this month. So if like me you missed it this time round you only have to wait until
2026 to see the next one in the UK. Or you can see one from Australia or SE Asia in March 2016.
The bright planets Jupiter and Venus dominate the evening sky during Spring. Venus appears as
as an intensely bright ‘star’ in the west soon after sunset. Venus is so bright that it is often misreported as
a ’UFO’ to those unaccustomed to watching the sky. It will become distinctly visible to the naked eye long
before the sky has fully darkened.
Further round to the south and higher up in the sky you will see a second very bright ‘star’ which is the
planet Jupiter. A pair of binoculars will show Jupiter as a distinct disk and up to four of its brightest
moons. These will appear like reasonably bright stars just to the left and/or right of the disk.
If you like seeing ‘shooting stars’ then mid-April sees the annual Lyrid meteor shower. Although not the
richest meteor shower of the year in terms of numbers, the April Lyrids are known to produce some very
bright meteors. Best time to look is around April 22/23 towards midnight and especially into the early
hours when meteor numbers are higher compared with before midnight. No telescope or binoculars
needed, just look towards the NE through to overhead. If you have a tripod and DSLR to hand you might
even like to try your hand at photographing them. Here’s some hints on how….
http://www.skyandtelescope.com/astronomy-resources/astrophotography-tips/photograph-meteor-shower/
Sky Chart for Spring 2015
GIFTED & TALENTED ART CLUB
Zodi Macdonald – In Art club this year we have been
focusing on lino printing. We have used the pictures
we took on our trip to the Tower of London. I have
enjoyed the topic and the graphic technique,
because it is something very different. Art generally
gives me something to be proud of, even though it
can often be very challenging.
Kara White - I have really enjoyed the project because
it is practical and I can use different types of paint and
the variety of printing tools. I also like it because I am
allowed to be independent.
Shavni Seebaruth - A lot of
people find art difficult so
they instantly avoid it. I find it
challenging but also a perfect
opportunity to create your
own fantasy and to find new
ways of expanding your imagination. Right now in the club
I’m working on a very funky
painting that’s full of my inspirations and dreams. I enjoy
mixing lots of vibrant colours
and splattering it on a canvas,
it’s fun!
Elizabeth Mitchell - I love
being able to paint and draw
what I really feel and be true
to myself. I really enjoy the
freedom to express myself.
Sarina Kewnark - I have done all the projects: painting,
clay modelling, and photography! I enjoy it!
Vanessa Tran - Painting and drawing is the way I
express myself and this new lino printing project
unlocks for me new ways to create art. It is also a
very fun thing to do.
Danny Tran - I like the carving, drawing and printing in the
lino project. I also like it because it doesn’t put limits on
my creativity.
Winnona Hockley - I have learned new styles to paint; there is still
much work to be done but bit by bit I will get better. I intend to
keep working hard so I can continue with this progress and
hopefully get my artwork at an A* level. Also, nothing is more
important than expressing your opinion; art helps me do that, it
helps me relieve any stress or anger I have, which is why I love art.
Molly Johnson - I love art- it keeps me
creative and quiet. I love designing and
painting on my canvas because it is
something I have never done before! In the
club I get to see other creative people who
are really good!
Photography by Ellis Levine
Ellis Levine (Year 7) has a great talent and flair for photography, with impressive understanding of composition, view point and subject matter choice. ‘I got into photography by
borrowing my mum’s digital camera and I used to just mess around with it. Then my mum
bought an Oliclip lens for her IPhone and I took macro shots of the plants and flowers in the
garden. Then mum bought a Canon 5D MKII for her studio photography and I thought that I
wanted to do what she used to do. So for Christmas I got a Canon EOS 1200D and I got the
chance to take to some parks and beach shots.’’
Year 9 Excel
Bag Designs
Callum Roberts – The most difficult part of the project was to
think about my surreal design. So I’ve decided to add multiple
eyes, cutting one eye and painting it inside.
If I had a chance to travel with the bag I’ve created I would go
to Spain, 1950s, because that is the time when the surreal
movement was popular there.
Sonny Webb - I’ve had fun making the
bag and have enjoyed the project.
The hardest part was making the nose
in my design.
William Beaumont - On my bag’s design I have added
the curved horns and put wings on the side. Definitely
the hardest part was the painting and I mostly
enjoyed cutting the shapes out. If I had a chance to
travel with my bag I would like to visit Australia
because I think it is an amazing country.
Benjamin Seymour - For my bag sculpture I’ve
combined a human’s hand and eyes with wings. I
would like to take my bag and go to the Eiffel tower.
Jace Barnes – I found every aspect
of the bag equally hard, but the
gun was easy to construct.
Elliot Kershaw - I
have
enjoyed
making the bags
and I found
choosing
the
colour
the
hardest because
I was aiming for
a scary look.