1

Head teacher’s message

Well done to new prefects Back in April we launched a new selection process for this year’s prefect team. Students in Year 10 were provided with detailed job descriptions and person specifications. Application forms required candidates to be able to meet the job specifications and seek endorsements from staff. The standards expected are very high: students need to demonstrate strong commitment and an ability to be a role model for others. The whole process is designed to mirror the world of job seeking to develop students employability skills. Privately I was concerned that we might put students off applying. I could not have been more wrong. 110 out of 154 students applied and 87 have been selected. From Monday 16th June they take on a range of new duties around the college, from supervision, litter picking and supporting other students. I think this speaks volumes of the pride students have in belonging to the college and exemplifies one of our core values ’Commitment’. New era for our Sixth Form Mr Carr started his new job as Head of Sixth Form this week. Building on the fantastic work of Mr Horn, Mr Carr has set out an ambitious vision for the sixth form over the coming years. With the majority of Year 11

students now staying on into our sixth form, Mr Carr is passionate about supporting more students to secure the best university places and for sixth form to be more integrated into the day-to-day life of the wider college. Mr Carr is also keen to support staff and students to navigate the various reforms to A levels that are starting and will represent a major shift in the way these courses are taught. What resonates most with me from Mr Carr’s opening presentation is his view that ‘hard work is more important than talent’ and I suspect there are many famous quotes to support this view. My own experience as an A Level student would support that: it was through a combination of great teaching, clear guidance and relentless hard work that I was able to progress to a good university to read History. I think this is going to be an exciting phase in the development of our sixth form.

Martin Smith - Head teacher

The Update

The Axe Valley Community College Newsletter: Friday 6th June 2014 - Issue 16

Diary Dates: Tuesday 10th June - Year 7-10 Swimming Gala

Wednesday 18th June - Sports Day 18th to 20th June - ASPIRE Arts Residential

Tuesday 24th June - PSHE Day Wednesday 25th June - Year 6 Transition Day & Evening

Wednesday 2nd July - Year 7 Parents Evening Friday 4th July - Non-Uniform Day

Sat 5th July - Old Axonians Reunion Summer Ball Mon 7th July - Prize Giving

8th to 11th July - Oliver Performances 11th to 22nd July - Art Exhibition 23rd & 24th July - Activity Days

Axe Valley students learn about the D-Day landings at Arromanches beach during their trip to Normandy earlier this year. Here on June 6th 1944 the Allied assault was one of the most heroic, daring and critical battles of the Second World War. Today we commemorate the 70th anniversary of the invasion that marked the beginning of the end of Nazi domination.

2

Year 10 News On the Friday before half term, the new prefect team were selected by Mr Selby. We had record applications this year which really demonstrates the level of commitment from the year group. The senior prefects were also chosen. These include: Steven Apsey, Jessica Boulton, Alfie Brooker, Hannah Burnett, Lucy Gay, Lewis Gibbons, Polly Huscroft, Jessica James, Max Richardson, Bradley Searle, Issy Somers and Rebecca White. All prefects will be attending training sessions so they are ready to take on their new roles and the interviews for Head Boy and Head Girl will be happening on June 6. Congratulations to all those students who have been appointed to the role of prefect.

Greg Horn - Head of Year 10

Alternative Learning Programme - Year 11 The Awards ceremony for the Alternative Learning Programme was held at Bicton College.

The students have all performed really well and without exception passed their level 1 certificates. Jasmine Cain - Horse care Eden Perry Thorne - Small animal care Jonathan Batten - Agriculture Bradley Stapely - Motor Mechanics Lewis Dearley - Motor Mechanics Jacob Turner - Construction

Jasmine and Eden

Student News

3

Year 11 - Leavers BBQ I still can't quite believe that we've finished our five years at Axe Valley, it still only feels like yesterday we were sat in the hall being placed into our tutor groups. Leavers day was a nice opportunity to remember all the fun we've had together as a year group, whether it was a trip to London, Ardeche or counting

pebbles on a beach it's all been fun. It's sad to think that we won't all be continuing on with each other next year but wherever you are going I wish everyone in year 11 the best of luck with the future, I'll miss you all.

Heidi Miller - Head Girl

4

Sixth Form News

Sixth Form thank Mr Horn

Sixth Formers bid a fond farewell to Mr Horn

at the end of last term. Art work produced

by talented A Level artists Matilda Board and

Beth Edwards was presented in assembly by

Mel Ayres and Annalene Salter. The Sixth

Form welcome Mr Carr and wish him well in

his new role.

Sixth Formers learn from the best Alex Haworth has been accepted onto the Exeter University PPE (Philosophy, Politics and Economics) residential. The theme for the Summer School is ‘Inequality in the 21st Century’: over the three days, students will be able to engage with current and topical issues such as social

mobility, gender inequality, climate change and global development through political, economic and philosophical approaches. The teaching programme will include sessions by top researchers and it will give students an introduction to university style teaching and learning. Alex said, “I’m glad I got this chance, it’s a brilliant way to gain experience.” Jonny House has work placements with Neil Parish and with the highly prestigious think-tank of the Institute of Economic Affairs. Jonny emphasised that, “It is an excellent chance for me to gain experience and contacts within the world of economics.”

5

Young Citizens Award Each year Rotary International invites clubs from all over Great Britain and Ireland to put forward candidates for recognition as RIBI Young Citizens.

In consultation with the College, The Rotary

Club of Axminster nominated Sixth Former

Marcus Wood. Marcus was one of sixty nine

nominees this year. To warrant nomination,

the individual had to demonstrate leadership

skills as well as a community spirit both

locally and internationally.

The Rotary Club believed that with his work as Head Boy at the College, his involvement in The Music Hive, his initiative in providing drama workshops for the local Primary School and many other extracurricular activities, Marcus had demonstrated a commitment and willingness to help his fellow students. Internationally off his own initiative, Marcus raised the funds to take him to a small village in Nicaragua to help improve the sanitation facilities. The Club were impressed by Marcus’ own account of the venture when he reported back saying, “every day out there was a

challenge, whether dealing with the heat, labour or emotions that came with seeing living conditions far worse than my own. Consequently, the end of the day felt very rewarding knowing that you’d changed another family’s life for the better.” Marcus also took part in the Rotary Youth Leadership Award, RYLA. Reports from the course instructors confirmed Marcus’ leadership qualities. Unfortunately, from a very strong field, Marcus was not one of the five awardees but in the words of the RIBI President, Nan McCreadie, “In my view there are no losers and all nominees have demonstrated wonderful initiative, service, commitment and personal giving and this should be acknowledged.” To this end, Simon Dunn, President Elect of the Rotary Club and John Brennan, New Generations Officer presented Marcus with a certificate in recognition of his personal qualities and community spirit worthy of successful nomination as a RIBI Young Citizen 2014 and wished him well in his future career.

L to R – John Brennan, Simon Dunn, Marcus

Wood and Headteacher Martin Smith

6

Cycling – The Dartmoor Challenge The group has now completed over eight train-ing rides, the latest was last Sunday when they cycled forty five miles across the Black down hills, climbing over three thousand feet. The day started bright and sunny as we set out for Colyton via Whitford, then we had a hot but steady climb up to Offwell. Unfortunately Mrs Fletcher suffered a puncture on the ascent. It was then downhill to Tesco’s in Honiton for a snack, but we were soon on our way to Broadhembury. Broadhembury is a beautiful estate village, but we had little time to enjoy the views as we scaled the one in four Stafford hill up to Dunkeswell. The top of the Black downs were covered in daisy’s and butter-cups and our route took us the D Day air strip at Smeatharpe. From here it was a quick drop into the pretty village of Upottery and finally a climb to the Stockland mast and seven mile straight. Next week we will be travelling across the Som-erset Levels to Langport.

Cook Club We have had enormous fun making fresh straw-berry cupcakes and strawberry lemon bars with delicious results over the last couple of weeks!

Next week the students have asked to cook a savoury dish and we will be attempting this amazing looking pizza crown. There are a few spaces for more cooks so just put your name down at Reception and come along, Thursdays after school in T1. Study Club This is a reminder that students are welcome to use the college IT facilities and study room in the Sixth Form Centre to do their homework after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. There is always someone to help if you need to ask questions and there’s a bus to take you home at 5pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Clubs and Activities

7

eSafety Advice – Online Bullying

Online bullying - like bullying in the playground, street or home - can cause children misery. Your child should always tell you if and when this is happening to them. They must also be made aware that it’s wrong to text, write or post anything that deliberately offends, hurts or otherwise harms anyone else in any way, including someone they don’t like – or don’t know. Make them aware of how they would feel if they were on the other end of such behaviour. If on a computer, keep a record of the bullying message by using the ‘Print Screen’ key on your keyboard. If on a mobile device, use the camera. Also ... make sure your child know they must guard their computer and mobile device with password or PINs so that even the most casual text message or email cannot be copied or hijacked and used to bully someone else in their name. (Source: www.getsafeonline.org) Additional eSafety guidance can be found on the weblinks listed on: http://axevalley.devon.sch.uk/parent/esafety/

Second Hand Uniform As summer approaches and as the Year 11 students abandon their uniforms, it is a great time to have a clear out! Please donate any of your old uniform to the college. We have a special rail at the ARC charity shop in Axminster where uniform is sold very cheaply and is greatly appreciated by many families in these difficult times. Bottle Recycling - Science Project For a science project we need 2 litre fizzy drinks bottles. If you use these please save them and bring them into Reception. Many thanks.

School Notices

8

The Art Garden Project Now the days are longer and the sun is out more often we would like to progress this project further. To do so we still need a couple more volunteers to help with the gardening. Our next get together is planned for Thursday 12th June after school at 3.30pm. We hope to plant some new shrubs and annuals, as well as continue the general tidying up of the areas that have now been mostly cleared. We would appreciate any help that afternoon from parents, students or neighbours. The students from Cook club will also be meeting that afternoon and have offered to bring their cooking for us to sample. Please contact Mrs Pemberton if you can come along. Old Axonians Reunion Summer Ball Saturday 5th July 2014

Planning is well underway for the Old Axonian Reunion Summer Ball. We have a magician, live music and a disco booked as well as a sumptuous 3 course dinner. As entertainment we plan to run a retro garden fete with hoopla, tombola, coconut shie and all sorts of vintage games with lots of adult prizes - it would be wonderful if some parents, friends or teachers would come forward to help run these stalls whether or not you came to TAVCC as a student.

Tickets are on sale now at Reception please pop in or call to book yours. Also let us know if you would like to organise a table for your year group or friends - we will give you a bottle of fizz as a thank you! If you prefer, The Archway Bookshop will also be selling tickets in the shop or you can call Tim on 01297 33595. NEXT PTFA MEETING The next PTFA meeting will be on Monday 9th June at 7pm. Everyone is welcome!

TAVCC PTFA Update

9

ASPIRE Update This week saw Mrs Slade take up her post as the new ASPIRE Co-ordinator, taking over from Mrs Levi. The first meeting in this new role took Mrs Slade and Mrs Pemberton (REACH Co-ordinator) to a STEM conference at Paignton Zoo. This networking event highlighted the importance of big businesses working in conjunction with students to highlight excellent career pathways through higher education and top level apprenticeships. There was an excellent presentation and the chance to meet STEM ambassadors from the South West and also to visit a new exhibition before it was opened to the public. They met University student, Robin Bailey, who is responsible for designing a new interactive app where visitors can use their mobile phones to interact with their surroundings within the new exhibit.

FORTHCOMING DATES Next Tuesday 10th June after school our Year 7 ASPIRE ARTS art students will be attending a wood turning workshop run by Colwin Way from Axminster Tools & Machinery. Colwin has been working with the year 10 students over the past few weeks teaching them the skills needed to make bowls, pens and vases. The results have been fantastic and the students have found the sessions extremely rewarding. The next ASPIRE Coaching 1-1 sessions will be held after school on the 16th and 19th June from 3.30 – 6pm in the Sixth Form Common Room. Booking for the coaching slots will open on 9th June for four days. Please log in and book via the school website. If you have any difficulties with bookings please contact Mrs Slade via the ASPIRE email address: aspire@axevalley.devon.sch.uk The ASPIRE ARTS residential is only weeks away now. The “Surface to Image” residential will be taking place at Weycroft Hall for primary students and years 7 and 8 from 18 – 20 June. We have 14 students signed up to the event and we are looking forward to seeing their creative results from working in this inspirational venue.

Liz Slade – ASPIRE Co-ordinator

10

Athletics Yr 7 Boys and Girls had their first taste of com-petitive athletics on Tues 20th May when Axe Valley hosted Sidmouth and Honiton in a 'Super 8' competition. Eight boys and eight girls had 8 events to com-plete with every competitor having to com-pete in a track and a field event. Thankfully the weather held off all day which allowed the hurdles and javelin to go ahead. Everyone knew they had to compete at their best as this was a team competition and every second and centimetre counted! Results were also combined with an event held at Ottery for Kings, Exmouth and Cul-lompton. Although Axe Valley did not finish in a position to qualify for the next round there were some noteable performances from: Brad Croton - Javelin:25m65; Ethan Huntley - Long Jump: 3m81; Katie Burnett - Long Jump: 3m55; Hurdles: 15.75secs Drew Aedo-Smith High Jump: 1m20; 100m: 14.47secs Hannah White - High Jump: 1m15; 100m: 15.75secs Megan Herbert - 800m: 3min 02

Overall Katie Burnett secured 7th place girl from 48 entries. A great achievement! The following day the weather was on our side again as the Yr8/9 team headed to Colyton for their competition. All rules for performing were the same and 6 teams were entered but this age group swapped 200m for 300m and 800m for the more taxing 1500m. The whole team competed well in both track and field events to finish in a very creditable 3rd place overall. Top individual performances came from: Jack Harwood - Hurdles: 13.5secs Long Jump: 5m08 Thristan Dionio - Shot: 10m30 Greg Lamprill - Javelin: 25m37 Rachel Loud - Shot: 7m59; 100m: 14.3secs Jackie Clarke - 100m: 14.1secs Jess Lee - Hurdles: 14.9secs Long Jump: 4m01 Molly Stemp - Long Jump: 3m96 This placed Jack Harwood 4th from 44 boys; Rachel Loud 4th girl from 48; Jess Lee 9th girl and Molly Stemp 10th girl. These are great individual results but it was the whole teams efforts that led to Axe Valley securing a fantastic 3rd place overall.

Sports Update

11

Athletics - continued Well done to all the students who attended the Athletics trials at Yeovil Athletics Arena. All students performed exceptionally well with many personal best being achieved on the day. Having performed so well the following students have been selected to represent Exeter and East Devon Schools in The Devon Schools Atheltics Championships held at Braunton Athletics Arena on Saturday 14th June: Mollie Stemp 100m (Reserve) Maia Green Javelin Becky Griffiths Discus Jark Hawood Long Jump and Triple Jump Thristian Diono Shot Put Greg Lamprill Discus (Reserve) Jack Croxall Long Jump, Relay and 100m Reserve Jonnie House 400m Good luck to all our students in the next county level of competition.

Tony Davies– PE Department Rounders On Thursday 5th June a team of Year 7 girls went to King’s School to play rounders against yheir team of Year 7’s. The team consisted of Fraya Hope Board, Rosie Windsor, Ellen Turner, Neve Wellman, Lauren Spiller, Millie DeBono, Hannah White and

Jemma Hoare. Everyone played really well with some amazing throws from Millie and some brilliant catches from Freya-Hope. Not to mention the great bowling from Rosie and the terrific team spirit from the fielders on bases. Everyone hit the ball well and managed to get at least half a rounder over the one match we played. Altogather is was a great match and we won 7-3. Well done to all players that took part.

Hannah White - 7SMP

12

SUMMER TERM FIXTURES 2014 (some details may change – please check with PE department for each fixture)

In the Year 8‘s rounders match against Kings School it was a very close match. Our fielding had gone well and as a result they

only managed to score 3½ rounders. Our team were very supportive of each other and we cheered all of our teammates on as we worked hard and managed to get 3½ rounders with only one ball left. One of the team’s strongest batters, Maddie White, was up next. The team were holding their breath as the ball was hit a long way. The whole team were cheering and shouting as Maddie touched the fourth post and we had just beaten Kings by 1 rounder. The score overall was 3½ to Kings and 4½

to Axe Valley. Amanda Apsey - 8RF

Date Year Group Activity Opponents

WED 11th JUNE TM

Yr 8 ROUNDERS

East Devon Tourna-ment

East Devon Schools Away @ Uffculme

Leave: 1.15pm Return: 5.15pm £2

TUE 17th JUNE TM

Yr 7 ROUNDERS

East Devon Tourna-ment

East Devon Schools Away @ Uffculme

Leave: 1.15pm Return: 5.15pm £2

WED 18TH JUNE ALL YEARS

AXE VALLEY SPORTS DAY

INTER TUTOR

ATHLETICS

ALL DAY @ SCHOOL

THUR 19TH JUNE RESERVE SPORTS DAY

THUR 26th JUNE CB

OR

TUE 1ST JULY TM

ALL YEARS EAST DEVON ATH-

LETICS CHAMPION-SHIPS

East Devon Schools

EXETER/YEOVIL?

Leave: 9.00am Return: 6.30pm £2