SPOTLIGHT

Miss Blackburn Ten Tors Team Manager

Parents’ Information Newsletter Issue 11

Autumn Term 2011

Bringing you our latest news!

Dear Parent/Carer

UNION ACTION LATEST Unfortunately at the time of Spotlight going to press (Thursday 24 November am) I am not yet sufficiently clear on the precise details of how many staff intend to strike next Wednesday. I fully appreciate that any closure (partial or full) will cause difficulties for many of you and I regret having to inform you of the likelihood of disruption. I will endeavour to make a final decision as soon as possible and communicate this to you by letter, by text (if we have your number) and via the school website. In the meantime it is probably safe to assume that there will be some disruption and that therefore it is wise for you to consider alternative childcare arrangements for 30 November.

Stephen Tong Headteacher

Thursday 1 December Family Fun Quiz Night (Contact Mrs Eastwood to book your team a space before Monday 28 November)

Wednesday 14 December Treverbyn Christmas Fete am Carol Service pm

Thursday 15 December Tregrehan Santa Run – Cornwall Hospice Care End of term Concert (school closes 1.00 pm buses depart 1.15 pm)

Tuesday 3 January 2012 Training Day (no pupils in school) Wednesday 4 January 2012 All pupils return

DATES FOR DIARY

VACANCY Cleaner - Poltair School 15 hours per week 42 weeks per year Grade A1 Permanent (Applications can be obtained from reception or can be downloaded from the school website)

School Website Please note that the weekly Spotlight and any archived Spotlights, together with news items, are

available to view or download from the school website. www.poltairschool.co.uk

LOST PROPERTY

There are several items of lost property in the Admin Office. Please can you check with your child that they have not lost any items of school uniform.

It is very important that all school uniform (including equipment) is named to enable us to return lost items to the correct child.

Sam Ager

TEN TORS - **IMPORTANT DATES**

Sunday 27 November Ten Tors Training W3

Monday 5 December Ten Tors Selection Training (for new recruits)

Ten Tors Training W2 Sunday 20 November dawned misty but as the day progressed, the sun burned through with beautiful blue skies. With a moor missing the rain, the terrain was solid underfoot most of the time, making it possible for 35 & 45 mile teams to really push their route plan times! With both teams successfully completing their route mid-afternoon, the trusty ice-cream van at Pork Hill car park was still there as we finished the day in the sunshine. Bring on the tough weather for next weekend! Miss Blackburn (Outdoor Learning Co-ordinator)

Tregrehan pupils have now received full details and a letter for parents. This letter can also be downloaded from our website, follow the link

http://www.poltairschool.co.uk/Communication/Letters.html

Are you ready?

Tregrehan Santa Run don’t miss out!

Ask your tutor for details

UPDATE

There are 32 pupils who have read over 100,000 words so far this term, with some of them over the 500,000 mark. This is a really good start to the term. Just to remind students that they can rate their book on the website after they have done the test. Also don’t forget to take a vocabulary test; although some of the books do not have this option, it is a good habit to get into. Mrs Hancock Librarian

35 & 45 mile teams on the moor

Children in Need 2011

22 pupils took part in the biggest ever nationwide live singing performance at the Eden Project for the BBC’s Children In Need show. The pupils went through a rigorous audition process at school before coming together to form a beautifully harmonious Poltair Choir that included pupils from Year 7s to 11. “Keep Holding On” by Avril Lavigne was arranged by the famous choir master Gareth Malone of BBC fame and the pupils had to learn choreographed actions as well as be pitch perfect and camera ready! On the day itself our pupils joined with 200 other pupils from across Cornwall who had been specially invited to contribute to this exciting event.

Pupils got a taste of what it is like to be TV stars and soon realised that there is a huge amount of work that happens pre-production as well as the live parts that the public see on television. After a very long and tiring day all of the pupils (and adults) involved were buzzing and wanting to go home to see themselves on television. This was a once in a lifetime experience and Poltair pupils were very privileged to have been given the opportunity to have such an important role in this year’s Children In Need campaign. We received the following terrific feedback from the BBC:

“Wow! You and your children were amazing! On behalf of the BBC and Children In Need, I would like to thank you, all the children as well as the other members of staff who pitched in, for all your incredible efforts in helping make 'Keep Holding On' and the whole day a fabulous success. BBC Children In Need, BBC national and BBC South West were very impressed with the level of passion and dedication that shone through in your performances.” Luqman Toefy (Regional Co-ordinator for BBC Southwest)

Congratulations to Grace Haberland, Sadie Davey, Jordan Hamand, Richard Ould, Gabrielle Grant (Year 7), Rowina Caesar, Maddison Burdon, Eleanor Grubb, Rebecca Stevens, Jenna Heppell (Year 8) Darrian Lee, Alisha Armstrong, Tamarra Bliss, (Year 9) Stephanie Stevens, Rebecca Hempenstall, Vanessa Matere (Year 10) Chloe Fulbrook, Lauren Nicholson, Sophie Grubb, Lily Richardson, Paige Jones, Samantha Winter (Year 11).

Note-worthy!

At the beginning of September the Music Department opened up for business as usual, or so it seemed from the outside…

The Music Department has been on a long journey since the summer and the music block is now a very different place to learn and teach in. Pupils now have access to brand new Yamaha keyboards, enough for both teaching rooms to provide 1 between 2 pupils.

They are also benefitting from new recording technology and the addition of an electric drum-kit amongst other items that have opened up a world of possibilities for teaching and learning in Music. With our hugely improved facilities learning has become focussed, challenging and driven for all the right reasons. Pupils are enthusiastic and keen to learn and be creative… Listen out, Poltair Music is unleashed!

Performing Arts BTEC

This is the first year that Poltair has offered Performing Arts BTEC in addition to all of the other GCSE subjects taught in the Faculty. So far the pupils have been studying two units, “Working in the Performing Arts Industry” and currently, “The Development of Drama”. Pupils have been tasked with a range of projects. In the first half term they devised a performance in the style of the Reduced Shakespeare Company which was performed for a Year 7 English Group and several members of staff.

The BTEC is a very “hands-on” course and allows pupils to develop their performing arts skills and talents on both the production and performance sides. It also encourages team-work, communication and time management amongst numerous other skills for life.

“Music at Poltair inspires me to do well in other lessons because the

positive energy from my Music lesson puts me in the right direction for the rest

of the week.” (Year 10)

“The new equipment in Music is brilliant!”(Year 8)

“I had a rocky start in Year 10 in Music but now I am doing really well because my teachers persevered and believed in me and I

am now confident I will get the grade I should.”

(Year 11)

“I enjoy Music lessons because we learn both

theory and practical work. I have learnt that you have to take risks to be a good

musician and I feel confident to explore this in

my lessons.” (Year 9)

“I love my Performing Arts BTEC lessons because I can be

myself and it brings out the character in

me.”

“I like Performing Arts BTEC because it is making me more

confident.”

“I really like Performing Arts

BTEC. It’s fun and shows the writing aspects of drama.”

“I like Art because I have the opportunity to express my feelings and experiment with

different media.” (Year 11)

“I love Art because I can be creative.”

(Year 7)

MUSIC

PERFORMING ARTS

ART

DANCE

TOP TEN Head Girl

Laura Fenner

1) What option subjects do you do and what is your role in the Senior Prefect team? I have chosen History, BTEC and Drama and my role in the senior prefect team is Head Girl.

2) What is your favourite meal? Chicken fajita or a roast.

3) What job would you like to do in the future? Something in health care, perhaps radiography.

4) Who are your heroes? Parents and close family.

5) Who is your favourite singer/band? Most chart music, things Miss Brader is blaring out in Science!

6) What is your favourite book? ‘Out of the Ashes’

7) Name one thing that perhaps people don’t know about you? I have a job in a café on weekends and holidays.

8) What do you enjoy most about Poltair? Tutor time, we have an awesome Tutor!

9) What do you treasure most? My teddy bear and the last cards from my Grandma.

10) What one thing would you change in the world? How University fees rise in this country and I would like all wars to stop.

“Dance is such fun at Poltair. I have grown in

confidence when performing as an

individual or within a team.” (Year 10)

“I enjoy dance lessons as our

teacher’s enthusiasm and love of dance inspires us

to do well.” (Year 11)

The STEM Club Thursdays during twilight sessions

(Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)

The STEM Club allows children to explore,

investigate and discover in a stimulating learning

environment, away from the constraints of the

school timetable or a prescribed curriculum. It

allows pupils and teachers to work together and

explore many different ideas and activities.

The Club is presently looking to purchase a solar

powered kit car and is seeking sponsorship from

local businesses.

If you can help us in any way please contact

Miss Brader by email:

Based on the belief that everyone should have the opportunity to be inspired by the arts from an early age, Face Britain is a ground-breaking collaborative national art project to inspire and engage young people across the UK. From 14 September 2011 until the end of March 2012, every child and young person aged 4-16 years is invited to create a self-portrait in any style they wish and upload it to the Face Britain online gallery brought to life by Photo Box. The project is not a competition and is open to all young people regardless of circumstance or level of artistic skill. Poltair students from Years 7-11 will be given the opportunity over the next few months to be a part of this exciting project that is also a celebration of the 2012 Olympics and the Queens Golden Jubilee. Mrs Whitbread-Abrutat Head of Art will be coordinating this as part of her role as an Advanced Skills Teacher for the county.

The Art Department would like to celebrate the fabulous art work that is being produced across KS3 and KS4. Since the start of September pupils have been involved in developing observation, portraiture and mark-making. We would also like to wish our Yr11 students the best of luck as they start to create their preparatory work for the January GCSE mock exam.

The following students are to be awarded with a certificate to celebrate their success in Art.

YEAR 7 for exceptional homework:- Izzy Shiner, Keira Briden and Grace Haberland

YEAR 8 for exceptional homework of GCSE standard:- Kate Walker

YEAR 9 for their fantastic start to the GCSE course:- Millie King, Emily White, Chloe Blackett, Jasmine Symons, George Head

YEAR 10 for their exceptional dedication in developing their observational drawing skills and experimenting with new materials and concepts:- Kim Pelagio, Victoria Hooper, Rebecca Hempenstall, Macaulay Pritchard, Natasha Skelton, Darren Tooley, Haidee Bark, Josh Bruton, Nicole Gilbert, Trehane Hooper, Lewis Hoskin, Catherine Wheatley

YEAR 11 for very good portraiture work:- Kayley Warne, Ella Fage, Louise Harley and Lauren Nicholson

London 18 &19 July 2012

‘Shrek the Musical’ Cost £110

There are 3 places still available for Years 8 -11. Any interested pupils

please see Mrs Bond in the first

instance.

The Restormel Dance Festival is taking place 31 January, 1 and 2 February 2012 at the Keay Theatre, Cornwall College – St Austell. This is the 5th year that Claire Michael from Penrice and Georgina Hulbert have organised this annual event. The Festival has grown again and 2012 will host 3 evening performances and a Primary matinee. This year expects to involve approximately 600 pupils from Poltair, Penrice, Cornwall College, Bodmin, all our feeder primary schools and ex-pupils! In January Poltair’s GCSE dance groups are working during lesson time with our local primary schools to create work that will be performed.

With The Restormel Dance Festival in mind Tutor Group 7GH are helping to organise a Dance Practice-a-thon to rehearse for the performance. This will generate money for the Clic Sargent charity, and though primarily this is a Treverbyn House event, performers from other houses will be encouraged to get sponsored.

Once again the Dance Department is working closely with Cornwall College and are involved in their School Liaison Project. On the 29 November students from their ‘second year Extended Diploma in Dance’ from the college will be leading GCSE Year 9 lessons for 3 weeks working towards a performance in Winter Lights at The Keay Theatre on Wednesday 14 December. This partnership gives the college students the opportunity to create a scheme of work and lesson plans, thus fulfilling that component of their course. It also broadens our dance pupils’ movement vocabulary, allows them to experience new teaching styles, and gives them further opportunity to perform within a professional setting.