Undentable Trust

Kingsbridge Community College supported parent and ex-student Mark Lamble in raising money for the Undentable Trust through a non-uniform day.  Mark took part in the Endurance Life Coastal Marathon and far exceeded his £1000 target by raising more than £1700 for the Undentable Trust.

The Undentable Trust was set up in memory of Mark’s friend and army colleague Capt. Mark Hale who died in Afghanistan.  It supports soldiers and their families affected by the war in Afghanistan and other conflict zones.  Mark said the coastal marathon was the most difficult event that he had ever completed but was pleased that he had done so and by the support shown by the College and many others in the community.

The picture shows Mark being presented with the cheque by his daughter Sophie and Tom Matthews, son of Endurance Life founder Barry Matthews.

Survivor from the Holocaust Educational Trust

On Tuesday 29th March, 160 year 9 students from Kingsbridge Community College heard testimony from Holocaust survivor, Harry Bibring, as part of a visit organised by the Holocaust Educational Trust (HET).

As part of their Religious Education and Citizenship programme, students explore the complex issues of prejudice, discrimination and genocide through an in depth investigation into the Holocaust. For six consecutive years students have ended the topic hearing testimony from a survivor followed by a question and answer session which enables students to better understand the nature of the Holocaust and to explore its lessons in more depth.

Lorwyn Randall, Head of Religious Education & Citizenship at Kingsbridge Community College said:  “It was a real privilege for us to welcome Harry Bibring to our school and his testimony will remain a powerful reminder of the horrors so many experienced. His story of segregation, tragic loss and escape via kinder transport captivated the students and brought their learning of this dark period of history to life. We are grateful to the Holocaust Educational Trust for co-ordinating the visit and we hope that by hearing Harry’s testimony, it will have encouraged our students to learn from the lessons of the Holocaust and make a positive difference in their own lives.”

Spanish Exchange

The second year of the exchange programme between Kingsbridge Community College and IES l’Alcúdia de Crespins school in Spain proved to be another great success. Students stayed for a week with a Spanish host family, attended lessons at the school, and visited many of the local sights.

Our pupils all agreed that they had learnt lot about Spanish life, and that living with a family had helped them understand the Spanish language much better. The people of l’Alcúdia made us feel really welcome, just like last year, and many parents and teachers commented on how well-behaved and polite our young people are.

Now it’s our turn to show that Devon hospitality can be just as warm, when the Spanish pupils come to visit us on March 31st.

Enterprising Students

Year 9 Kingsbridge Community College Enterprise Education Students have been working with a group of practitioners to design and make a series of products for the youth market. The idea behind the project is that they create a company, apply for a small investment fund for their projects, and then use the fund to buy materials.

With the help of expertise from local businesses, they have designed and made a fantastic range of products ranging from Garden Spikes, Hanging Lanterns, Chutneys, Enamelled phone charms, Bags of Biscuits, Putt Putt boats, T-Shirts and Skim boards.

These were all on sale at the local Youth Market, creatively packaged and marketed under the new school brand ‘Made by Youth’.   Once the initial investment is repaid, students keep the hard earned profits.

Principal, Roger Pope said, “This is an exciting project and we are very grateful to the local community for their support of our students in so many ways.  Watch out for our young entrepreneurs at our local markets!”

Thank you to many businesses for their help and enthusiasm in creating such a great opportunity for our students. These include Linda Burgess from Red Earth Deli, Sally Hurst from The Old Bag Company and Katie, Noah and Zoe from Flameworks.

Bonjour

KCC welcomes a group of French Sixth Formers coming in on Tuesday April 5th. They are hospitality and catering students form Rumengol, a small town in the Finistere region of Brittany.  They will spend the day in college and partake in activities with our French A Level students who are preparing presentations on our college and region and who will also listen to information on Brittany.  The link with the French college was established last year when we set up penpal contacts for the KCC students.  The day should be a very worthwhile experience for both groups who will also be meeting up outside college to maximise their language practise! 

If you see them around don't forget to say Bonjour!1

Sporting Success

Gymnastics - congratulations to Elliot Pound, Year 10, and Rhianna Jones, Year
7, who competed in the Pairs Competition at the British Championships last month coming a fantastic fourth overall.  Well done Elliot and Rhianna!

A Great Run - congratulations to Jack Fergusson who competed in the English Schools’ National Cross Country Championship last week. Jack came fourth out of the Devon runners and 91st out of 331 Junior Boys representing 42 counties. Well done, Jack!

Alice in SciMaths Wonderland

Science Week has once again raised the profile of Science and Maths to dizzy heights at Kingsbridge Community College.  This year, departments at the College collaborated to produce a Mad Hatters Tea Party followed with entertainment by the magician Steve Price who wove science and maths cleverly into his illusions and tricks.  This was followed by the winners of the Frabjous Day English competition reading their entries, Zoe Allen (Year7) and Ellie Brock (Year 8).

Two spectacular dances followed by Tanz and E-Scape Dance Company, culminating with a real Mad Hatter Tea Party with dancers throwing cup cakes at each other!

The audience were then led by the White Rabbit - Mrs Chell, and the Red Queen - Dr Pemberton, through a rabbit hole, designed by Mike Turner and Jackie Visser to a huge array of workshops and demonstrations set up by staff, students and local organisations. These inclu ded Catch of the Day, Burton Farmhouse, Devon Wildlife, the Dormice Society, Lidstones, Woodlands, Burts Chips and DJ Miles.  All of the workshops, stands and demonstrations were based on the theme of Alice in Wonderland.

The theme was carried on throughout the week at the college with lunchtime activities and stands at Tesco, Morrisons and the Quayside Leisure Centre.

Mrs Chell, Head of Science says it was one of the best Science Week’s ever because of the massive contribution from across the curriculum and the whole community.

KCC Does Something Funny for Money

A great effort by all and any of you who watched the Comic Relief show later on Friday evening saw what good use your money goes to both here in the UK and in Africa.

Many thanks yet again to the generous parents, students and staff at the college. We can’t wait for the next one!

U15 Devon County Cup Final

KCC 28 / Okehampton 12

Kingsbridge finished off their season with a hard fought victory at Paignton Rugby Club.  After putting in their best performance of the season in the semi final to brush aside Ivybridge, Kingsbridge may have underestimated their finalists and were given an early shock.  Okehampton gained control of the ball after some sloppy Kingsbridge play and used their forwards well to drive the ball over they try line.  Kingsbridge scrum half Elliot Pound tried to ignite some attacking play and was making some good forward runs until he had to go off with a hip injury.  Things were not going to plan for Kingsbridge, and Okehampton penned them into their own half.  As so often it was Stuart Townsend who was to turn the game for Kingsbridge.  A few surging runs and good recycling by the forwards led to Kingsbridge’s captain going over the try line and Jaime Johnson kicking the conversion. 

Kingsbridge were lucky to go in at half time level and were able to regroup and they came out in the second half and played the match in the oppositions half.  Good surging runs by forwards Henry Turner, Jonn Merrin and Daniel Arscott helped to move Kingsbridge further into opposition territory.  Eventually, hooker Charlie Brooking was able to power over they try line from close range.  Kingsbridge were not going to let Okehampton off the hook and continued to try and break down the opposition, and despite some great tackling, Townsend was able to go over for his second try after good work by stand in scrum half Rory Shillabeer.

Okehampton had played really well and their speedy backs were not going to give Kingsbridge an easy game.  Despite the best efforts of Angus Beattie and Matt Tucker putting in great tackles Okehampton got another try to leave the score at 21-12 with five minutes left.

Kingsbridge showed their maturity and kept the ball well running down the clock before Stuart Townsend was sent over for his hat trick try.  Okehampton played really well and it was a battling performance that led to Kingsbridge lifting the Devon Cup.  The school are very proud of the team’s achievements this season.  

Victory for the Under 14’s Rugby Team

On 2nd March Kingsbridge College's Under 14 Team went to Paignton to take on the giants of Park School, Barnstable. In a replay of the final from last year where Park were the victors, it was time to settle the score. After an unbeaten season, defeating South Dartmoor in the South Devon Final and beating Queen Elizabeth’s School Crediton in the Devon semi setting up the final with Park. Park made there way to the final after they had beaten Ivybridge in the semi.

In a hard fought match where we lost Adam Vooght in the first ten minutes with a broken humerus, Tom Putt put us ahead with a huge penalty from inside our own half. Later scores came from a Fynn McCoy try and another Tom Putt penalty. Park hit back with minutes to go but Kingsbridge fought hard and held on to win 11-7. The boys now go on to represent Devon against winners from Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire in a tournament later in the year.

As ever I would like to thank all the parents for there support throughout the season, and in particular Jason Putt whose help with the coaching has been invaluable.  The team worked tremendously hard this year and remained focused throughout on the goal of becoming the best in Devon.

Well done lads you've earned this!

The Youngest Youth Mp in Devon!

Many congratulations to Haleemah Asharaf, 8EA, who has been elected to the UK Youth Parliament to represent young people in SW Devon, Totnes and Newton Abbot between the ages of 11-18. The election which took place in schools all around the constituency was fought in the four key policy areas of disability awareness, youth facilities, political education and safeguarding for young people. Haleemah, who speaks an impressive five different languages, focused her campaign on local issues facing her and her peers.

Haleemah is the youngest of four Devon students who will represent the Youth Parliament over the next two years. Haleemah has worked hard to achieve this success running a very impressive campaign to win support. She spent the last year attending workshops and preparing her manifesto. We are all delighted for her and look forward to seeing what she achieves during her term in office.

HIGH HONOURS

Congratulations to Charlotte O’Toole, 10PM, who has been appointed Devon’s sole representative as the Police Cadet of the Lord High Sherriff in Devon. Chosen as one of the top five students from a selection process, Charlotte recently attended a gruelling interview day in Bodmin, taking part in presentations, interviews, parade drill and uniform checks. She takes up her role in May and will work closely with the newly appointed Lord High Sherriff for 2011/12, the Hon Mrs S V Lopes, attending visits and special occasions with her.

This is a fantastic achievement – well done Charlotte and all the very best for a very exciting year.

Victory for the Under 14’s Rugby Team

On 2nd March Kingsbridge College's Under 14 Team went to Paignton to take on the giants of Park School, Barnstable. In a replay of the final from last year where Park were the victors, it was time to settle the score. After an unbeaten season, defeating South Dartmoor in the South Devon Final and beating Queen Elizabeth’s School Crediton in the Devon semi setting up the final with Park. Park made there way to the final after they had beaten Ivybridge in the semi.

In a hard fought match where we lost Adam Vooght in the first ten minutes with a broken humerus, Tom Putt put us ahead with a huge penalty from inside our own half. Later scores came from a Fynn McCoy try and another Tom Putt penalty. Park hit back with minutes to go but Kingsbridge fought hard and held on to win 11-7. The boys now go on to represent Devon against winners from Cornwall, Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire in a tournament later in the year.

As ever I would like to thank all the parents for there support throughout the season, and in particular Jason Putt whose help with the coaching has been invaluable.  The team worked tremendously hard this year and remained focused throughout on the goal of becoming the best in Devon.

Well done lads you've earned this!