During February half term 33 Year 12 and Year 13 Politics students travelled to Washington DC to

further their understanding of American Politics. Students visited the White House, toured Congress

and walked in the footsteps of Martin Luther King Jr. on the Lincoln Memorial. They also watched an

NHL Hockey match between the Washington Capitals and the Detroit Red Wings and had a three

hour Segway tour of Washington DC to visit Ford’s Theatre, the Washington Monument and the

Smithsonian Zoo to see Giant Pandas.

Ousedale School Magazine March 2018

Dear Parents/Carers

We cannot believe that another half term has come and gone! Year 11 and Year 13 continue to prepare for their final exams and we have been very impressed with their attitude and progress. They have received extensive support from staff, the pastoral teams and careers advisors (see latest news from the careers centre) with their options post exams; including over a hundred students attending the national apprenticeship show in MK. Year 9 have made well informed decisions about their GCSE options and they have been guided through this process via 1:1 interviews, parents’ evenings, assemblies and tutor support. We would also like to thank parents/carers for their support with the Year 9 into Year 10 option evenings at both campuses. Both were well attended and the feedback from

parents/carers and students was that the evenings were very informative. They also praised the professionalism and enthusiasm of staff regarding their subject which made the final decision about what to opt for at GCSE a difficult one. Once again, this half term has been packed with some outstanding opportunities for all students, including trips to Washington, the India and French exchanges, plus numerous educational trips nationally. Staff continue to give their time to provide all of these extra-curricular activities to enhance the experience of all students outside of the classroom. The student councils and leaders (277 in total) continue to make a positive, and valuable, contribution to the improvement of the culture and environment of the school. I wish you all a happy Easter and look forward to all students and staff returning refreshed for the start of yet another busy term in April.

Stuart Glover | Deputy Headteacher

Message from Stuart Glover, Deputy Headteacher

On 15th December, the Year 12 Politics students journeyed to the capital to visit Buckingham Palace, the Supreme Court, Whitehall and the pinnacle of the trip: The Houses of Parliament. We began at Buckingham Palace and upon arrival the obligatory tourist photo was taken. Despite misplacing a few strays, all of the group successfully made it to the Supreme Court. Whilst inside we learnt about several contentious cases that were sent to the Justices of the Supreme Court such as the triggering of Article 50. The grand gates of Downing Street were guarded by towering horses which we passed on our way to Whitehall where many significant government department buildings are located. For example, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and others which are particularly relevant to our Politics course. Finally, the time came for us to make our way to the Houses of Parliament. After rigorous security checks (of which Mr Cole seemed to be the guards’ favourite target), we were soon led to the utterly magnificent Westminster Hall. What makes it such an astonishing building is not simply its sheer size and the timeless beauty of its roof, but its crucial role at the centre of British history for 900 years.

The tour began in St. Stephen’s Hall which was once the infamous House of Commons. Inside, the sides were lined with statues of some prominent political individuals such as Robert Walpole and William Pitt the Younger. In contrast, the modern Commons adversarial chamber is packed with green benches upon which the MPs conduct debates, pass bills and scrutinise the work of the Government. An abundant proportion of Parliament was exquisitely

crafted by the architect Charles Barry who designed most of the Palace’s gothic internal features after it burnt down in 1834. Even the foyers we passed were monumentally elegant with immense chandeliers and sculptures of political legends such as Winston Churchill. Afterwards, we observed the royal gallery which conveys the epic history of the British monarchy and their associations with Parliament. The trip concluded with a meal at Planet Hollywood which not only allowed us the opportunity to reflect over the day’s events and for the teachers to unwind, but also gave us a taster for what is to come on the Washington trip in February. Undoubtedly, the trip was an unforgettable and interesting experience (not least because of our meowing tour guide).

Daisy Mann 12JA

Year 12 Politics Trip

Milton Keynes Festival of the Arts for Dance, Music and Drama is the largest annual festival for amateur performers. The Festival is affiliated to the British and international federation of festivals and was first established in 1968. On Sunday, 18th February, 57 students from Ousedale School participated in group devised performance work, monologue work and duologue work over the full course of the day in various age divisions. Performing in front of a live audience, actors were judged by highly acclaimed adjudicators Samantha Tucker and Louise Manders and were given detailed critical feedback. Students received a certificate and many students were proud to receive awards, gaining positions in first, second or third place.

I would like to commend all of the students from both Olney and Newport Pagnell campus who attended and

performed in the event - it was amazing to watch such a talented group of students giving their best, despite some real nerves prior to being on stage. It was a wonderfully enriching event and all of the participants of this experience gained so much from being involved and pushing themselves to overcome nerves and self-doubt. There were some very clever devised pieces including one about a school fire bell, an emotional performance about being bullied and a hilarious and enlightening satirical piece about Brexit in Milton Keynes called 'The Cornflake Affair'. This will be an experience that students will remember

forever. A big well done goes to all of the students who participated in this fantastic event. The following students achieved a ranking:

FIRST

SECOND THIRD

James McCallum Jordis Doerfler Hollie Cassidy Huzaifa Ahmed Peter Adams Ellie Connell Laura Connell Rainee O'Donoghue-Roberts

Ted Ferris Noah Jenkins Zoe Banda

Annabell Saunders Alex Mulholland Antony Ferns Joquan Johnson Frederick Ramos Emma Lambert

Mrs Addison | Head of Drama

Drama Department

Congratulations to the following students who competed in the recent Milton Keynes

Festival of the Arts Music Festival. Isla Rogers 13SA, competed in the Advanced

Classical Piano category and gained second place. Polly Bennett 11MG and

Charlotte Bruce 10VT both competed in the Advanced Flute class, with Polly gaining

a bronze medal and Charlotte the gold medal. Zoe Wu 10KM came first in the

Intermediate Acoustic Guitar class and Lukas Hall 8SBB gained second place in the

Intermediate Classical Piano class.

Congratulations to all students who participated!

The Music Department

Polly Bennett

Lukas Hall

Charlotte Bruce

Form Grade Results

Lukas Hall Bass 8SBB 4 Distinction

Lukas Hall Piano 8SBB 4 Merit

Thomas Buttel Piano 8EJ 4 Pass

Thomas Buttel Guitar 8EJ 5 Merit

Joel Beaney Piano 10RN 1 Merit

Jasmine Whittome Piano 8CH 2 Pass

Samhita Shanmugasundaram Flute 9SP 1 Pass

Georgia Beardshaw Flute 8SRB 3 Pass

Madeleine Catanach Theory 11MG 5 Distinction

Elsie Daniells Theory 12BG 5 Pass

Congratulations on Achieving Music Exam Grades

Music Department

Harry Potter Party

An established date on the Muggle calendar, Harry Potter Book Night, was celebrated in fine form at the Ousedale School Library in Newport Pagnell on February 1st. This established Muggle home of learning had a night off from academia and embraced the wizarding ways to honour J.K Rowling and her fabulous works of “Fiction?”.

The theme of the evening was Fantastic Beasts and a marvellous menagerie was supplied from the company Party Animals - we bring the zoo to you!

They brought some wonderful animals, spiders, scorpions, fascinating lizards, cute furry mammals including a beautiful racoon who welcomed its visitors with a high five. The animal high spot was an enormous boa constrictor (Basilisk in disguise?). Some brave students handled quite large snakes, maybe Parselmouth should be introduced to the Ousedale curriculum. There were games and entertainments throughout the decorated library including Deadly Duelling, Mrs Weasley’s What’s that Whiff? and Chess. The Fancy Dress was of a very high standard this year with lots of people in Hogwarts robes

carrying a selection of wands. But a clear winner was Saoirse Brinkman 7MB who was an impeccable Luna Lovegood.

The marvellous evening ended with a feast including cocktails and a cake decorated with rats. Proving even Muggles can summon up magic when they have to!

Rebel Girls Picnic

To celebrate International Women’s day (8th March) we held Rebel Girls picnics in the Libraries. NP campus welcomed Elizabeth Sheldon from local company “Evidence Talks” who gave an inspirational talk about her career path from nurse to chief executive of a technology company. She encouraged girls to explore careers in technology and computing and to take courses in STEM subjects. Olney campus welcomed Debbie Brock, prominent member of Milton Keynes community, and one of Her Majesty’s Deputy Lieutenants for Buckinghamshire. Debbie spoke about the importance of fairness in society and told her own career story which started with Cordon Bleu cooking around Europe. Both campuses were presented with a copy of the fabulous book “Goodnight Stories for Rebel Girls” by authors Elena Favilli and Francesca Cavallo who remind us all to:

‘Dream bigger, aim higher, fight harder and when in doubt, remember you are right’

Library Corner

Comic Book Enrichment

For this term’s enrichment in the library we are taking part in the Excelsior Award. This annual event is the Comic Book world’s equivalent of the Oscars. In the library, we have copies of all the shortlisted titles including superhero comic books, manga and graphic novels. They are read and reviewed by students and every one of the votes count towards the results with the winner being announced in June. So, if you are a big comic book fan or just curious about graphic books come and give one a try, fill in a voting slip and help make a bit of Excelsior history!

National Apprenticeship Show

Once again, the National Apprenticeship Show came to Milton Keynes. On Monday, 12th and Tuesday,13th March we ran trips to the show, allowing over 100 students from years 10 to 13 from both campuses the opportunity to explore career options. The Show is a fantastic opportunity to find out more about apprenticeship schemes on offer from employers – local, national and international. The positions on offer range from intermediate apprenticeships for post GCSE students to degree apprenticeships and graduate schemes. A couple of our students even made it on to the BBC local news on Tuesday evening. The show will be back again next year on Tuesday, 12th and Wednesday, 13th March 2019. National Apprenticeship Preparation Workshop

Run by Develop in conjunction with Milton Keynes College and Milton Keynes Council, a group of year 10 students were invited to a workshop prior to attending the National Apprenticeship Show. The aim of the workshop was to help students understand more about apprenticeships; help them prepare and plan their visit so they could make the most of the opportunity. Year 11

Just a reminder for students that the library is currently open on Tuesday lunchtimes for the exclusive use of year 11. If you want to explore your post GCSE options, receive help making applications or wish to study quietly, please come to the library. Year 10 Careers Impact Morning

We are currently planning this year’s careers carousel for year 10 which will take place on Friday 6th July. Run across both campuses, we invite employers in to take part in speed interviewing (Olney) or panel interviewing (Newport Pagnell). If you are interested in taking part, please email eva.griffin@ousedale.org.uk . Apprenticeships

Whether you’re looking to apply for an apprenticeship this year or researching possible career routes, there is a lot going on with apprenticeships right now. For more information on higher and degree apprenticeships go to www.gov.uk/government/publications/higher-and-degree-apprenticeships.

For current listings on available apprenticeships search on: www.getingofar.gov.uk.

College Open Events

Milton Keynes College: Chaffron Way Campus & Bletchley Campus, Wednesday, 9th May Bedford College: Cauldwell Street Campus, Wednesday, 18th April 2018 Shuttleworth Campus, Thursday, 24th May 2018 Northampton College: Booth Lane & Lower Mounts Campuses, Weds 27th June 2018 Moulton College: Open event: Sat 28th April

Latest News from the Careers Centre

Year 7 and 9 Rugby - Ousedale win MK Schools

Ousedale hosted the annual tournament at Newport Campus on Thursday 16th March organised expertly by Mr Phipps. The standard was high in all age groups and played in a good spirit. The Year 7 and 9 teams won all their matches and so were crowned MK Champions while the Year 8 team only lost one match (but were missing 10 players on Rugby 7's duty) and came runners up. The Year 9 team have also reached the County Cup Final to be played next term.

Year 8 Rugby Team Qualify for Finals at Northampton Saints

The Yr8 team played at Stowe School on Thursday, 16th March in a regional round of the rugby 7's Tournament organised by Northampton Saints. The boys came second in their group and so went through with the other winners and second place into another group. Here the team beat Aylesbury Grammar but lost narrowly to a very strong Warwick School meaning they had to draw or win their last game against Buckingham to qualify. Although they went 1 try to nil behind they rallied in the second half to draw level and scored with the last play of the game to win 14-7. The boys are now looking forward to the Finals at Northampton Saints on April 26th.

Sports News

Megan Wyatt (10STR) - The Sky’s the Limit

We are always proud to learn of the achievements of our pupils both inside school and outside. One of Olney’s Year 10 students, Megan Wyatt, has achieved excellence in rock climbing. Recently selected for the GB climbing squad selection event which was held in December, Megan came out as the overall winner within her girls, under 15, category. For the uninitiated, Megan competed in three different categories of climbing discipline. The first being: speed climbing which challenges you to get to the top of a universal climb in the fastest time; the second is bouldering, this is free climbing, with no ropes or harness and the winner is the person who is at the top of the leader board after the most climbs. Finally, there is lead climbing which does involve ropes and a harness and you ‘clip in’ up a route; the winner is the person who gets the highest within a timeframe. Currently Megan is rated as 1st in the United Kingdom and because of her dedication, hard work and talent, has won the accolade of selection to represent Team GB in five European Countries this year. She will also have an opportunity to compete in the Word Youth Competitions in August.

The Debating Society has entered a number of prestigious competitions for KS3 and the 6th Form over the past months and students have developed a number of key skills including building an argument, public speaking and thinking on their feet. On Thursday, 8th February six 6th formers travelled to Magdalen College School, Oxford, to participate in the Debating Matters competition. This is one of the largest debating competitions in the UK and has a focus of substance over style and getting young people to take ideas and arguments seriously.

Charles Buckman (13SMC) and Ethan Jaiswal (12KK) participated in the first heat, arguing in favour of the motion “Social media sites should filter out fake news stories”. In the second heat Anna Shortt (13SM) and Adel Takas (13SM) argued against the motion that “we should not eat meat”. After two very strong performances Ousedale were unlucky not to move forward into the semi-final stages. However, in the final results Ethan Jaiswal was selected as one of the ‘judge’s picks’ for best individual contribution at the competition.

On Wednesday, 21st February Ethan, Charles, Anna and Adel set out for the Oxford Union Schools Debating Competition, hosted by Oxford University at Finchley Catholic High School. This debate had a different format with four teams competing each round, two for and two against the motion. The first motion considered the merits of zoos and the second the use of polytechnic v. grammar schools. In a hotly contested series of debates, with Ousedale in the minority of state schools against a host of grammar and private schools, we did not progress to the Oxford finals held at the students’ union in Oxford.

KS3 participated in the Rotary Youth Speaks public speaking competition in Woburn Sands on Tuesday, 20th February. Luke Hulmes (8FW) took on the role of chairperson for the team, Callum Wilcox (8FW) was the main speaker, speaking for six minutes with no notes on the issue of doping in sports, and Freya Weedon (8RC) provided the vote of thanks and concluded the team presentation. This was the first public speaking competition for these students, where most of their competitors were year 9 students, and their performance was commended by the judges. The trio are eager to participate next year in this competition.

Debating Society

On Saturday, 17th March 2018, 15 Year 8 students headed to Milton Keynes’ Magistrates Court to participate in the Citizenship Service Mock Trial competition. It provides a unique opportunity to introduce students to the criminal justice system through an immersive, active learning experience.

The Mock Trials take the students out of the classroom and into court, where they will be presented with written cases based on real trials. Students will assume the various roles involved in a criminal trial, from clerks and advocates to ushers and jurors and will then compete against other schools.

The Ousedale prosecution team: Max Ford - lawyer (8LRT), Nasra Khamis - lawyer (8NCW), Danielle Callaghan - witness (8LRT), Scarlett Smith - witness (8FW), Freya Weedon - legal adviser (8RC) and magistrates Tom Gray (8LRT), Tahiya Hemed (8NCW) and Tilly McGrath (8RC) put in a strong performance against Denbigh School. This was followed by the Ousedale defence team: Luke Hulmes - lawyer (8FW), Callum Wilcox - lawyer (8FW), Caitlin Sparkes - defendant (8CH), Daniel

Baldwin - witness (8FW), Matty Davies - usher (8FW) and magistrates Tom Gray (8LRT), Tahiya Hemed (8NCW) and Tilly McGrath (8RC). Waarfa Farah (8CH) and Harry Burridge (8CH) fulfilled the role of court reporters and will be submitting a newspaper article to the national competition, and Karunika Jeyaseelan (8LRT) the court artist will be submitting her drawing to the national competition.

The Royal Latin School progressed to the next round of the competition but Ousedale were victorious in two individual categories of the prize giving: winning best defence lawyer - Luke Hulmes and best legal advisor - Freya Weedon. Miss L Tuxford | Teacher of History and Politics

On Wednesday, 21st February we held our annual Awards Evening for Year 11. As always it was a busy programme with a host of awards which were for outstanding academic achievement and progress and there were also many pastoral awards given because students had been prepared to ‘go that extra mile’ portraying those qualities which provide part of the mortar of which Ousedale School is made.

As parents entered they were serenaded by Eleanore Old and Amy Stones who sang and played beautifully in the foyer as the individual recipients and their parents and carers arrived.

Mrs Carbert explained that, whilst students’ GCSE examinations are looming on that ever approaching horizon, the school felt that it was important to reward our students’ performances in the Christmas mocks, appreciating the amount of work that they had put into these examinations. She congratulated all recipients and praised them for their ongoing effort and commitment to success. Her words were echoed by our Chair of Governors, Mr Milburn.

Before the first awards all of those present were treated by a Tim Ball trumpet solo which created a sense of pageantry and pride.

Mock Trial

Year 11 Awards Evening

Our next piece of entertainment was an excellent piece by Jack Rodden – inspiringly written – as he recalled the importance of the journey from year 7 through to year 11 and all of the qualities which he had developed along the way. His delivery was thought provoking and extremely professional. Perhaps we will hear of Jack again either in the media or in the political sphere: he certainly has a gift for oratory.

Maddie Catanach’s flute solo was haunting and melodic and, as she played, it was wonderful to see so many proud members of the audience – both those who had received awards and those who had come with them.

The evening was also to remember all of those students who have worked hard throughout the year as only a small number of high achieving students could be recognised in this ceremony. For each student who received an award there would have been many more who had also achieved well and shown dedication, enthusiasm and commitment to their studies.

After the pastoral and community award, the audience was treated to an excellent vocal performance by Ariana Kubiak which helped to close what had, once again, been an extremely warm and positive evening.

On closing Mrs Carbert addressed the audience to express her pride in all of the students of Ousedale School and to congratulate all of those present on their awards.