Medina Matters
11th March 2016
Senior Leadership Team’s update
Nick Krista, Deputy Headteacher
Educational Reform.
It’s a complicated subject alright, but there have been a number
of education reforms which have led to lots of questions about
assessment, grades from KS2 to KS4 and about how progression will
be measured in the future.
The diagram below shows that not only has the bar been raised at KS2
with pupils being expected to attain the equivalent of a 4A/5C to be
deemed secondary ready, but at KS4 the new ‘Good Pass’ mark will
a 5 equivalent to a B-. As mentioned in my previous newsletter, we
have been working hard on new progression ladders in all subjects
to ensure that pupils are able to meet, or even surpass, these new
targets, giving them the strongest academic platform for success.
The new progress ladders will be trialed in the last half-term and will
be uploaded to the school website for you to view and refer to.
With GCSE exam season approaching and assessment weeks for all
year groups, there are a number of ways you can support your child’s
learning: Make sure they have the correct equipment for lessons and
revision sessions. That they are in school on time. That they had a
nutritious breakfast. (Hungry teenagers find it hard to concentrate
if they aren’t fed!) Make sure they have a good night’s sleep. Make
sure your child has the right books and revision materials. (Please
contact school if this isn’t the case and we will put this right.) Take an
interest in what they are doing and praise their hard work. A positive
comment goes a long way.
Diary Dates:
WB 14th March 2016
Year 10 Parent Consultation Week.
Wednesday 16th March 2016
Global Rock.
Thursday 17th March 2016
Year 9 Take your child to work day.
Friday 18th March 2016
Federation Games.
WB 21st March 2016
Year 8 Parent Consultation Week.
Friday 25th March 2016 - Friday
8th April 2016
Easter Break.
Tuesday 19th April 2016
Year 8 Girls HPV Vaccinations (2nd
dose).
Thursday 21st April 2016
Year 9 Subject Parents’ Evening.
Friday 22nd April 2016
DEAR Day - Shakespeare.
Wednesday 27th April 2016 at
6.10pm in the Library
Parent Voice Meeting.
Monday 2nd May 2016
May Bank Holiday.
Tuesday 10th May 2016
Year 8 Girls HPV Vaccinations (2nd
dose) catch ups.
Wednesday 11th May 2016
Gifted & Talented – Year 7 Taster
Day @ Southampton University.
Weekly Staff Focus
Mr Damian Mobley, Student Survey Lead
I studied my degree and later a PGCE at Leicester and Middlesex
Universities respectively, after working for the (then) GKN Aerospace
in their progress department. I had decided that, although there
was nothing especially wrong with the job in industry, I wanted
something with more intellectual challenge. I especially wanted
to be making a difference to real people and not to widgets and
thingamabobs, regardless of how hi-tech they were.
Most of my first 15 years of teaching were at middle schools;
predominately at Kitbridge Middle, which was later federated
with Downside. Rising through the ranks, I latterly was one of Pete
Shaw’s Assistant Head Teachers in this large and very vibrant dual
campus middle school.
Following the change to a two-tier system I came to Medina College hoping for new challenges and it has
been an exciting time. It was particularly great to come here, because as a former pupil of Medina I had such
fond memories of the place; it’s nice to be on the other side of the fence, giving back something to the island
that I so love.
Teaching, has given me the intellectual interest and human dimension that I feel is important. No job is always
a pleasure, but it is, and remains a privilege to be a part of young people making a success of their lives. They
are many, many moments of brilliance along the way; seeing the joy of a pupil achieving something they
thought they could not do or experiencing something they never thought they would try is what keeps me
keen.
In my view it should not exclusively be about the numbers, but aspirations are most often built upon academic
achievements. And so, ironically many years after leaving industry, I am back in a career chasing progress,
only this time the outcome is a lot more special!
As Student Survey Lead, a new role I have taken on recently, I am able to have an influence on improving
the teaching and learning across the college by canvassing the views of the most important people here: the
students. I then communicate the findings back to the staff, with the aim of improving the lesson experience
for our students. At the same time thankfully, as a confirmed history nerd I am able to keep on with the
process of passing on my enthusiasm about the subject in my Classical Civilisations and History lessons.
Medina College Book of Distinction
This week Alex Cassford B10 put her name in the Book of Distintion for her fantastic model castle she
made for her History homework. Congratulations Alex.
Need help with your English homework?
Stuck on a question?
Tweet @MedinaEngDept to get quick help and support.
Year 9 Fit 2 Cook Competition
Ten pairs of students cooked savoury dishes in their lesson for the preparatory heat leading to an Island
competition called Fit 2 Cook, which is being held in association with the Co-Op . They had to show off skills
using Island produce cooking either a starter or a main course dish within 45 minutes. Teaching staff and
Medina’s food technician Mrs Goring were on hand to offer help and assistance wherever necessary.
The Headteacher and several other senior leadership team members called in to taste the food and judge
the best entries. The Mr Williams said that he would have been very happy to pay for any of the options
presented, and other staff remarked on the very high standard of food cooked and the sheer delight at being
asked to taste test and judge.
The food which was presented, ranged from pasta dishes, Glazed gammon, herby breaded fish, fish pie
to scallops on shredded leek. Several students experimented with a Thai spiced beef sushi whilst others
produced crispy mozzarella bites with a spicy salsa dip. Special vegetarian Quorn burgers were also served
providing an excellent vegetarian option.
A further heat takes place on Monday where sweet options will be tested. The competition could lead our
finalists to a Hampshire final where well known chefs will be judging the students work. We wish all the
students the best of luck in this competition, but with continued effort and skill enhancement we will be
proud to aspire and achieve.
Medina College Parent Voice news
Thanks to all who came along to the Parent Voice meeting on Wednesday 2nd March. It was good to see
some new faces.
Apologies to anyone inconvenienced by the change of Agenda: the planned presentation on making
Medina College a dyslexia-friendly school has been postponed to our next meeting of 27 April, as one of
teachers was unable to attend this time.
Our guest speaker, Ms Michelle Robinson, Assistant Headteacher, talked about reviewing tutor groups in
September and asked for parents' thoughts and feedback on how they're finding the current arrangements.
She will report back to Parent Voice later in the year when she's done more work on this.
Discussions also included:
Home to school transport: Some parents have raised this again, now that Year 7 secondary school places
for September 2016 have been allocated. Wendy is following it up with the Council on behalf of Parent
Voice. Headteacher Richard Williams is also looking at VI Form transport options with the head of VI
Form.
Accelerated Reading Scheme: Q: How does it work once pupils are in Year 9 and above? A: Some may
have free choice by then, but there is a vast range of books available for all abilities.
School meals increase: Chartwells are increasing price of school meals (at all schools) by 3%. Equates to
approx 6p more per day.
Homework: There was praise for the convenience of Show My Homework, but a question was raised
about consistency of marking & feedback. School will look into it.
Parent Voice meetings (one per half-term) for the rest of the year are: Wednesday 27th April and
Wednesday 22nd June. Both at 6.10pm in the Medina College Library.
If you'd like to keep in touch with Parent Voice news by email, send an email to me at:
[email protected]
If you’re on facebook, like our Medina College Parent Voice page:
facebook.com/MedinaCollegeParentVoice
Thanks for reading!
Best wishes
Wendy Varley, Chair, Medina College Parent Voice (Yr9 parent)
Need help with your Maths homework?
Stuck on a question?
Tweet @MedinaMaths to get quick help and support.
Federation Games Update
All year 7s from Medina and Carisbrooke will compete in a day of Federative Sport.
Year 7s taking part in the handball, rugby and netball competitions here at Medina will need to come
to school as normal and register with their form tutors. At 9:20 they must head to the Theatre for the
opening ceremony.
Year 7s taking part in the football and basketball competitions at Carisbrooke need to meet Mr Rock
and Miss Bartlett at the front of school at 9:10 and register with them. They will then hop on the bus
to Carisbrooke.
Students need to come to school in their PE kit with packed lunch. Those children with Free School
Meals will be provided with a packed lunch. Students should bring a water bottle and lots of warm
layers! Students who compete over at Carisbrooke will be back in time to catch their normal buses
home. It will be a great day jam packed with games- all we ask of students is to get stuck and represent
our college with pride!
Semi Final Hampshire Cup Game
A number of Medina College Students took part in the Hampshire U13’s semi-final cup match playing for
Newport againsh Pickwick Lions on Sunday 28th February. The teams battled through the first half and the
Newport side had to work hard to keep Pickwick from scoring.
During the second half Newport were the determined side and kept pushing for a goal, but good defending
from Pickwick kept the score 0-0 at full time. A penalty shoot out had to decide the winners, Newport won!!
Well done to all of the Newport team who are now through to the final of the Hampshire U13 Youth Cup
which will be played at Basingstoke on 15th May 2016.
Medina College players involved are Adrian Voigt, Aidan Sheerin and Tristan Biles.
Chartwells Update
Price increase of 3% in the cost of school meals from the start of the summer term. As you will have seen in
the media recently, the Government has announced the introduction of a new National Living Wage (NLW)
from April 2016. This not only means the direct wage cost of providing the school meals service by our
contractor, Chartwells, will increase, but so will the costs of the food products and services purchased from
other companies for the same reasons.
The impact will be an increase of 3% in the average cost of food served in the cash cafeteria both on the main
Carisbrooke and Medina sites as well as the sixth form campus. This increase has been discussed with and
agreed by the Governing Body.
Chartwells provide tasty and nutritious school meals that continue to exceed the Government’s nutritional
standards for school lunches. If you would like any further information on our school meals service or have
any comments please feel free to contact Peter Holman the Regional Manager for Chartwells, or any of the
Chartwells team, on 01983 550500 or email to [email protected].