NEWS
FEBRUARY 2010
WELCOME TO THIS TERM’S SCHOOL NEWSLETTER
Included in this term’s newsletter are just some of the wide variety of activities which the school has been
involved in, making this term a very busy one.
This is a very important time for our Year 9 students. They have been going through a very thorough process
of preparation for choosing their subject options for key stage 4. This has included talks by subject leaders
in assemblies, taster lessons to give students a feel for what it would be like to study subjects in year 10 and
an options evening to inform students and parents about the courses on offer. The closing date for the final
options form from students is 12 February. If you have any questions about this please feel free to contact
the school.
The school continues to work in partnership with Aimhigher – an organisation dedicated to encourage
students to consider continuing into Higher Education. A group of 50 year 9 students recently visited the
University of Lincoln to give them some understanding of student life.
January 21st saw the third of this year’s Flexible Learning Days. Students were involved in a range if different
activities including an “Enterprise Day” for Year 8, a day around the theme of the Chinese New Year for Year 7
and a day on Safety for Year 12 students. The school’s next Flexible Learning Day will be on March 16th.
You may have noticed a change to the format of the Attainment and Effort Grade Reports which are posted
home each term. We hope that these revised reports are easier to understand and provide parents and
students with more useful information. These modifications are part of the implementation of the school’s
new Management Information System (called “Facility”). In addition to these changes, you will see a change
to the subject reports. Year 13 were the first year group to have reports created using this new system, with
Year 11 students receiving the new report with this newsletter. These new reports include much more
detailed information than previously. We would be very interested in your views of these reports. If you have
any comments please contact the school.
The school is working in collaboration with Creative Partnerships on an exciting project which explores the
concept of creative learning and development of personal learning and thinking skills. Miss Streather is
working with a group of students on this project. There will be more details about this project in future
editions of this newsletter.
Year 11 students are now focused on their studies and gaining the absolute maximum from the remaining
time before the summer. Students have been attending extra classes in a wide range of subjects, including
regular English and Mathematics Booster Sessions. Thank you to their parents for their support at this time
as we do whatever we can to prepare our students for the final stages of their courses.
This half term holiday sees two school trips taking place. The first is a trip to Barcelona, organised by the Art
department. The second is a school ski trip to Austria. We look forward to hearing the news from students
and staff taking part in these trips and hope that they have a fantastic time!
Ian Widdows
Deputy Headteacher
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY
THURSDAY 1 APRIL 2010,
2.00pm
Following on from the success of last year’s Wellython the School is now planning
another community event. We now hold the record for the number of people
walking 2km in wellies! The “Mad Hatter” part is a reference to Alice in Wonderland,
as there is a new film being released at the end of March, just before our event. It
will be a non-uniform day, with the money going to the charities above as decided
by the students. We encourage everyone to wear fancy dress, perhaps as a character
from Alice in Wonderland? If that is too difficult, then try to dress in a mad or unusual
way. However, everyone does need a hat- as it is a “Mad Hatter’s ” Tea Party! We are
hoping to break more Guinness World Records on that day so we are hoping parents
and members of the local community will attend, as they did last year. Local primary
schools have also been invited.
We have already sent in official applications to break three existing records:
1.
2.
3.
The record for the number of people rubbing their tummies and patting
their heads.
The number of people performing “Heads, shoulders knees and toes”.
The number of people dancing the Waltz
Don’t worry - we are not expecting perfection here! However, students will have a
Waltz lesson before the day, and we are offering evening classes for anyone who
would like to have a proper go at this! (see evening classes elsewhere in this
newsletter). There are other things we want to try too - further details to follow.
We were on Look North last year, and we would like to be again this year!
If anyone has any further suggestions - please let us know via Mrs Barnicoat’s e-mail:
[email protected].
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
ANOTHER YEAR OF RECORD RESULTS
We are delighted by the results of students from the Giles School in last year’s examinations which have recently
been published in the government’s School League Tables (http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/performancetables/) . The hard
work of staff and students, with support from parents and carers, has given the school another year of record
results. The “value added” to students in their time at the school puts the school as the in the top 80 of all secondary
schools in the country for 16 year olds and the very top for all schools and colleges in Lincolnshire for 18 year olds,
a truly fantastic achievement!
We are extremely proud of what our students have achieved. This is due to a whole school team approach,
supporting students at every level through an innovative curriculum which is closely matched to students strengths
and interests, high quality teaching in every area of the school and a dedicated pastoral team of Heads of Year,
tutors and Progress Coordinators who work closely with students to ensure that they gain the maximum benefit
from what the school has to offer. Students are encouraged to aspire to achieve great success in everything that
they do. These results show that students at the Giles do just that.
This is a time when there is extra focus on other measures of school success, for example the percentage of students
gaining 5A*-C grades including English and Mathematics. While we are extremely pleased with the results that the
Giles School has gained in this respect (53%), it is the Contextual Value Added (CVA), both at age 16 and age 18
which we see as a true measure of the success which the school has had with the students attending the school. It
is extremely refreshing to see our school yet again recognised as being an outstanding school, gaining far better
results than any of the other schools in this area.
1050
1043.5
1040
1030.6
1030
1020
1013.3
Key Stage 4 CVA
1010
1004.8
999.8
1000
988.2
990
980.1
980
970
960
950
940
Giles School
William Lovell
Haven High
Kirton Middlecott
St Bede's
Boston High School
School
Boston Grammar
School
CVA
Contextual Value Added is a measure of the overall
effectiveness of a school by analysing the progress made by all pupils taking into account their prior attainment and
their final qualification results. It is much fairer than using raw outcomes (e.g. %5A*-C including English and
Mathematics), since schools can have very different levels of attainment on entry from primary school. This measure is
centred around 1000. A CVA of 1000 would indicate students making expected progress. This measure has been used
in the government’s School League Tables since 2002.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
The Worshipful the Mayor of Boston, Councillor Maureen Dennis, presents
the Headmaster’s prize to Abby-Mia Tutty
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
GILES ARTISTS CREATE HEROES
FOR UNITED’S HALL OF FAME
Art students teamed up with Boston United to
create a series of portraits of Pilgrim’s legends
for a Hall of Fame project. Year 10 BTEC students
used photographs and newspaper cuttings from
the club’s 77 year history to inspire their portraits
which were produced using oils. The project was
funded by the CfBT Education Trust and portraits
took two terms to produce. The finished work was
exhibited at ‘Onside’ Boston United’s Playing for
Success celebration evening. The project was a
great success and the Art depatment was proud
to be asked to work with Boston United.
Students were excited to display them at the
Haven Gallery. Students who took part in the
project were: Amber Porter, Antonia Hickman,
Charlotte Thompson, Chelsea Holland, Chris Clark,
Daniel McEvoy, Gemma Wagstaff, Jade Lees, Jess
Ashton, Lauren Hayward, Lauren Sharpe, Mark
Teft, Matt Meeds, Matt Poole, Nicole Strudwick,
Nikki Taylor, Safron Clark and Sam Morgan
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
GILES HAS THE WINNING TECHNOLOGY
A team from Giles School, Harry and Ben Sandall,
Kavan Carpenter, Jordan Vines, Jake Bourne and
Jordan Smith, stormed to victory at the British
Championships in the 24 hour race at
Shennington racing circuit. The team from Giles is
being featured in a BBC schools documentary for
Technology which will air on the BBC on Tuesday
23rd March at 11.30am. The objective is to
encourage schools to consider projects like this in
their curriculum.
Filming took place at the last round of the British Series at Curborough Racing Circuit and included
lengthy interviews with the pupils about the machine, and sequences from the racing itself. This
was another triumph for the Giles School who patiently stretched the opposition over 6 hours of
exhausting pedalling to record another victory in only their second event. It certainly served to
motivate the riders to consider engineering options for the sixth form, also promoting KS4 options
to younger pupils by personal recommendation, and by providing an inspirational activity. There
was great enthusiasm to design and make an Human Powered Vehicle to race, with some students
wanting to continue riding in the team after they have left the school, an opportunity for
community cohesion. The team definitely want to compete in the whole British Championship
series this year, moreover there was a resounding desire to challenge for the European title. They
pedalled the four wheeled machine throughout the soaring heat and then using headlights at
night, extended the lead to cover a staggering 382 miles and win by a margin of 24 miles from
Revolution, another Boston team, which included Elvijs Roberts and Shaun Holland , both teams
beating the European Champions.
“We witnessed an awesome display of teamwork, sheer physical effort and skill from enthusiastic
students who were a credit to the school and themselves”, said Mr McLachlan,
Head of Engineering at Giles.
Filming by the BBC
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
SCHOOL COUNCIL
CHARITY MONEY DISTRIBUTION
Tutor groups have voted for the charities they would like supported this year.
The results of the voting went to the full School Council and we have decided
to split the money already in our charities account as follows:
£100 Disasters Emergency Committee Haiti Appeal
£300 Help for Heroes
£200 CLIC
£200 Breast Cancer
£200 Macmillan Cancer
Help for Heroes had the most votes and so are receiving the most money. The
Haiti appeal was not on the original list, because the disaster had not
happened at that point.
FREE WALTZ LESSONS - BE A PART OF THE NEXT WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT!
As part of the preparations for “The Mad Hatters Tea Party” The Giles School are
offering basic Waltz lessons for everyone in an effort to break the World
Record attempt to have as many couples Waltzing at the same time.
The current record is 314 couples.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
Dates and times of lessons will be advertised on the school website.
If you are interested in taking lessons please contact either main reception on 870693
or Tracey in the art block on 871951.
FREE STYLE FITNESS YOGA CLASSES
Classes are with Jacqui at the The Giles School and are being held in the school gym every
Thursday (term time only) at 6.30pm.
Only £4 per session! (Please book in advance)
Please bring a non slip workout mat, a small towel and a bottle of water.
For further information, and to book in advance, please contact Tracey Benton
on 01205 871951
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
GOVERNOR VACANICES
The school currently has vacancies for a Parent Governor and a Partnership Governor and
is seeking nominations from parents. Please find below a description of eligibility for these
categories:
Partnership Governors are appointed on the governing bodies of foundation schools. A
person shall be disqualified from nomination or appointment as a partnership governor if he
or she is:
•
•
•
•
•
a parent of a registered pupil at the school;
a registered pupil at the school;
eligible to be a staff governor at the school;
an elected member of the local authority;
employed by the local authority in connection with education functions.
Parent Governors cannot be elected members of the local authority or paid to work at the
school for more than 500 hours in any twelve month period.
DUTIES OF A GOVERNOR
Governors are not expected to be involved in the day-to-day management and
administration of the School, but rather to set strategic plans for the School and to provide
the Head with guidance on general principles.
Governors have an increasingly important role and attending termly meetings only is not
enough. It is essential that the person appointed must have and maintain a keen interest in
the work and welfare of the School. Visits should be made to see the Head Teacher and what
the School is doing. Governors should play an active part in the public and social life of the
School.
Nominations can be forwarded by writing to the Clerk: Mrs D Law, at the school, or by email
to [email protected]
We look forward to hearing from you.
Frank Pickett
Chair of Governors
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
MUSIC EXAM SUCCESS
Congratulations go to the following students who have
passed their music exams this term:
Juste Sereicikaite
Piano Grade 1
Madeline Verdegaal Music Theory Grade 4
Patrick Ralph
Percussion
Grade 4
Well done to them all!
FORTHCOMING MUSIC EXAMS
The following students will be taking
exams this term:
Rachel Cartwright
Emma Mastin
Liam Smalley
Lucas Smalley
Charlotte Hamilton
Liam Smalley
Grade 5
Grade 2
Grade 1
Grade 1
Grade 1
Grade 1
Piano
Trumpet
Saxophone
Saxophone
Flute
Music Theory
Matthew Teague
Grade 1
Music Theory
Good Luck to you all!
BBC CONCERT ORCHESTRA
Students who are currently taking peripatetic music lessons at school
are going to watch the BBC Concert Orchestra perform at the Meres
Leisure Centre in Grantham on March 19th. Due to the fantastic performance at the
Lincoln Arts Festival, ‘RockIt’ our school band, have been invited to perform with the
BBC Concert Orchestra. This is a fantastic achievement for the band at such a high
profile concert. ‘RockIt’ are available for private functions. Please contact the Music
Department for further information. ‘RockIt’ have recently performed at the
Community Praise evening in Old Leake and due to their great performance have been
asked to play at the next Community Praise being held in March.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
BARCELONA TRIP - 14TH FEBRUARY 2010
On the 14th February 2010, students and staff will
be visiting famous sites in Barcelona including the
Sagrada Familiar and the Nou Camp Stadium, as
well as photographing and sketching the work of
Gaudi around the city. Staff who will be taking the
pupils are Miss Streather, Mr Van-Hoof, Mr Fortis
and Mrs Barnicoat.
An example of Gaudi’s mosiac art around the city
THE LION KING
On 21st April 2010, 137 Year 8 pupils will be going to London’s Lyceum
Theatre in Covent Garden to see the Lion King production. This will be
followed by a 3D art project where pupils will make masks and paintings
inspired by what they see. All of the work produced will be displayed at an
exhibition in Lincoln, along with a fashion show where pupils will have the
opportunity to display their masks. The event has been organised by Miss
Streather.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
FANTASTIC NEW OFFERS
The Ski Trip has become an annual tradition at the Giles School and we believe it has a
very positive impact on students’ personal development as well as being a life
changing experience for many. Our next ski trip will take place during the first week
of the January 2011 term. This means that the cost of the trip has been greatly reduced
­to £650! This price includes:
• 5 nights stay in a minimum 3* Hotel
• 3 Meals per day
• Helmet Hire
• Ski Hire
• Pole Hire
• Boot Hire
• Lift Pass (worth £150 Euros!)
The hotel will be in Austria and it will be a minimum of 3*.
To make it even easier for parents and carers to book pupils on to this life changing
experience, payments can be made over the next 12 months. The monthly amount
would be approximately £65, although parents can pay more if they wish. If you would
like to take advantage of this fantastic new offer, then please send a £20 deposit with
the slip on the final page of this newsletter by the 26th February 2010.
Alan Castley
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
FOR OUR SKI TRIPS
BOOK NOW FOR 2012
In order to make the 2012 ski trip more affordable we are offering parents
the option to make payments over the next 2 years. The trip will cost
somewhere in the region of £700 which means that the payment schedule
will include 18 payments of £37 (with no payments due in August or
December). The final payment will be around £41. A small deposit of £30 is
required before the 28th February 2010 to secure your place. Please use the
form on the back page if you wish to take advantage of this offer.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
NEWCOMERS AND STARS EVENING
The Music Department held a very successful concert, ‘Newcomers and Stars
Evening’, on Friday 29th January. The first half of the concert was dedicated to
students who are new to performing and the second half consisted of those
students who were more experienced.
All students performed extremely well and
were a credit to themselves and the school.
50 students performed to over 160 people and
from the excellent feedback we have received,
this was a truly amazing evening with polished
performances by all.
SCHOOL CAR PARK
It has been brought to our attention that some drivers have been using the car park
entrance and exits incorrectly. We would really appreciate it if Parents/Carers could use
them appropriately. One of our priorities is to ensure that all students are safe on school
grounds and inappropriate use of the car park could lead to an accident. Thank you for
your cooperation.
WIN A TWO NIGHTS STAY IN TOKYO!
The Art Department are running a competition to write and
illustrate a Japanese Haiku, based on the theme of school. The
prizes for winning entries range from book vouchers for school
to two return tickets to Japan and two nights stay in Tokyo.
See Miss Horton for details.
AFTER SCHOOL ART CLASS
An after school art class will be starting up next half term. We will begin with card making
and the first date will be Wed 10 March. 4pm onwards. All welcome; students, staff and
parents.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
HEALTHY SCHOOLS
Why are we involved in the Healthy Schools
programme? Because healthier students do
better in learning and in life. By enabling
students to make positive changes to their
behaviour regarding health and well-being,
we can help them reach their full potential
in terms of achievement and fulfilment.
We can also encourage good habits which
will benefit students both now and in the
future.
Giles School achieved accreditation for Healthy Schools last year. However, work does
not stop there as we have now been asked to participate in the “Enhancement
programme” so that we continue to move forward. Students in KS3 (Years 7, 8 and 9)
have been completing a short on-line, anonymous survey to help us set targets for the
next 18 months. This survey also needs to be completed by a sample of staff, parents
and governors to enable us to get a picture of where we are now. The survey will be
repeated in 18 months- and will hopefully show improvements! Having an active
School Council is an important part of working towards Enhancement. Our School
Council is working towards the School Council Award Scheme and has the assessment
for this award at a full meeting in March 2010.
BREAKFAST CLUB
The Breakfast Club is still available from 8.00am every morning. A drink and a piece of
toast is free. Other items, including cereal, are available to purchase.
AFTER SCHOOL PROVISION
The library is open, and staffed, every night until 6.00pm to enable students to work in
a quiet and safe environment.
5 A DAY
There are still many students who are not eating 5 or more
portions of fruit and vegetables each day. Please will you
encourage your child to eat more?
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL!
Specially adapted for the Billy Youth Theatre
13th & 14th May 2010*
Doors Open 6.30pm for 7pm Start
Tickets
£3 Concessions
£5 Adults
Tickets will be available after half-term. Further information will be added to the
web site in due course.
* Please note: this event has previously been advertised as the 12th and 13th May
2010. These dates were incorrect. The new revised dates are detailed above.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
NSPCC YOUNG PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2009
COMPETITION
The Giles School wishes to congratulate Tom Lister, a
year 7 pupil, for being one of the NSPCC/PhotoBox
photography competition winners. His photograph was
classed “Highly Commended” by the judges and has
been published in the PhotoBox official book along with
the other winners.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Giles School has 14% left handed students compared
to a national figure of 10%! That is 138 students.
Has anyone got any ideas why this might
be the case?
TERM DATES
2010
TERM 3
End of Term Friday 12 February 2010
TERM 4
Start of Term Monday 22 February 2010
End of Term Thursday 1 April 2009
TERM 5
Start of Term Monday 19 April 2010
End of Term Friday 28 May 2010
TERM 6
Start of Term Monday 7 June 2010
Training Day Tuesday 29 June 2010
End of Term Friday 16 July 2010
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
THE GILES SCHOOL LIBRARY IS CHANGING
Changes have recently been made to improve the services and facilities offered by the
Library at Giles. Much time and effort is going into ensuring that all students have the
opportunity to learn independently and although the Library in the traditional sense
has somewhat evolved, it is important to maintain some of its principles whilst at the
same time ensuring that facilities are innovative and engaging.
The Library has recently introduced a Nintendo DS, with 9 ‘Edutainment’ games such
as Brain Gym and ‘Professor Layton and Pandora’s Box’; engaging mediums which at
the same time encourage students to use logic and mathematical problem solving.
The NDS is free to hire for all students during break and lunch.
The Library is committed to providing modern technology to engage students in
learning and will shortly be introducing a wide range of magazine subscriptions,
multimedia facilities such as DVD’s and CD ROMS as well as other resources.
There is also a number of information boards offering advice and sources of
information on money, health, education, work, training and relationships.
The Library feedback box is available for all students to use so they can inform us
which books, authors and other services they would like to see. We welcome
comments and feedback from all students, staff and parents/carers in order to ensure
that the Library is suitable for all.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
SKI TRIP 2011
I would like to book a place on the 2011 Ski Trip.
Child’s Name...........................................................................
Form..........................
I have enclosed a deposit of £20 (Cash/Cheque)*
A payment schedule will be sent to you in due course.
* Please delete as appropriate. Please return this slip and payment in a sealed
envelope for the attention of Mr Castley. Cheques should be made payable
to The Giles School. Thank you.
...........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................
SKI TRIP 2012
I would like to book a place on the 2012 Ski Trip.
Child’s Name...........................................................................
Form..........................
I have enclosed a deposit of £30 (Cash/Cheque)*
A payment schedule will be sent to you in due course.
* Please delete as appropriate. Please return this slip and payment in a sealed
envelope for the attention of Mr Castley. Cheques should be made payable
to The Giles School. Thank you.
www.giles.lincs.sch.uk
24th, 25th & 26th MARCH 2010!
Doors Open 6.00pm. Performance starts at 7.00pm
£3.00 Concessions
£5.00 Adults
BY KIND PERMISSION OF JOSEPH WEINBERGER