ParksideLife - Parkside Federation

WINTER 2014 ISSUE 1
Parkside Life
THE NEWS MAGAZINE OF PARKSIDE FEDERATION ACADEMIES
2
Contents
PAGE 3
NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM
DANCE TEACHER AWARD
PAGE 4
BUSINESS IN THE
COMMUNITY
PAGE 5
THE WIZ
NICK HORNBY VISITS
PARKSIDE
PAGES 6 AND 7
PARKSIDE PROM
PAGE 8
INSPIRING STUDENTS
PAGE 9
DUKE OF EDINBURGH
STUDENT POEM WINNERS
PAGE 10
RESULTS AND SUCCESS
INTRODUCTION
It is a pleasure to introduce
this first issue of ‘Parkside Life’
and to outline to our readers
the events and successes of
the Autumn term.
The story starts before the
first day back though, with
our very pleasing GCSE and
Sixth Form results.
As you can read on page 10, Parkside Year
11 students topped the Cambridgeshire state
school league tables in a number of measures in
both attainment and progress, while our Year 13
International Baccalaureate students matched
the world average for the IB diploma, with their
BTEC peers making excellent progress too.
However, school life is not just about exam
results and, since the return to school, we have
seen a wide range of exciting activities, from
language poetry competitions, to sporting
success, to hosting erstwhile Parkside teacher
Nick Hornby for an evening’s event.
Parkside continues to be a vibrant and
enjoyable place to learn and work, and we hope
you appreciate reading about what has gone on
this term.
Jodh Dhesi
Deputy Head Teacher
Parkside Community College
PAGE 11
THE WORLD OF STEM
GOING POTTY FOR HARRY
Copyright © 2014 The Parkside Federation Academies.
All rights reserved.
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NEW LEADERSHIP TEAM
From January, we will have a
new leadership team at Parkside.
After 37 years of outstanding
service, Norma Neeson will retire
as Head of School, returning to
work part-time in the sixth form.
Her contribution to Parkside
has been immense. Likewise,
we bid goodbye to Anna Smith,
one of the architects of Parkside
Sixth, who is pursuing a career in
examinations.
The new team will consist of
Jodh Dhesi (Acting Head Teacher),
John Jones (Head of School), Ria
Dhesi (Acting Head of Sixth),
Helen McGowan (Assistant Head
Teacher – KS3) and Maureen Su
(Assistant Head Teacher – KS4).
The team is looking forward to
working with students, families,
governors, teachers, support staff
and the local community to make
Parkside the best school it can be.
DANCE TEACHER AWARD
As well as student success, our
teachers have been working
hard too. Verity Merryweather,
following a popular application
process, was one of 20 dance
teachers to be selected to
take part in Dance UK’s Dance
Dance award
Teaching Mentoring Programme.
Organised by Dance UK in
partnership
with
Dancers’
Career
Development, Youth
Dance England and the National
Dance Teachers Association, the
programme recognises the huge
importance of teachers within the
dance sector and aims to develop
the next generation of teaching
leaders within the industry.
In addition, Vicky Williamson,
our SEN Coordinator, has achieved
the National SENCO Award,
while Maureen Su successfully
completed
the
National
Professional Qualification for
Senior Leaders.
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Business Links Review
Parkside has worked hard to build up
its business links over the past year and
we are pleased to report that there have
been significant successes.
2014 has seen a positive start to
the Cambridge Building Society (CBS)
mentoring. In the summer term of the
academic year 2013-14 we took a group
of 18 Year 10 students to CBS to meet
mentors from last year and to allow
them to talk and settle in to the idea of
having external support. Some students
were apprehensive but really gave it a
go. This year 16 students have expressed
interest and commitment to engaging
with the support on offer.
The students concerned have enjoyed
their introductory meetings this half
term. We scheduled groups to meet
at the same time and introduced the
BUSINESS IN THE
COMMUNITY
mentees and mentors. This initial
meeting went very well and both
students and mentors felt that it was
less daunting than walking into a single
meeting. We are now coordinating
bookings for the next set of meetings,
some of which have happened and the
others are booked in for the next few
weeks.
In terms of emerging projects, we
look forward to seeing the fine results
and feedback from the next round of
mentor and mentee meetings which
should complete before Christmas.
This feedback will allow us to tailor the
support on offer to ensure both students
and CBS are developing through this
process into 2015.
YEAR 10 PECHA KUCHA EVENT
All of the Year 10s from Parkside and
Coleridge gathered together for a Pecha
Kucha event organised by the Cambridge
Cluster of the Business in the Community
organisation. Students worked with a
range of business volunteers in order to
develop their communication skills as well
as being encouraged to consider the skills
required in the local and international
labour markets. Students started with
some ice-breaker activities in the morning
and were encouraged to debate on a
range of topics. After this stage, students
were split into small groups and prepared
the Pecha Kucha with the help of a
Business volunteer.
This involved students working with an
image and delivering a short and concise
presentation on this image in front of their
peers. Volunteers and students alike found
the day challenging but a rewarding one
as both were forced to think on their feet!
5
Wiz
THE
Federation students sold out the
Mumford Theatre for three nights
on the trot when they put on a
production of The Wiz. The Wiz is
a “vibrant and quirky” retelling of
The Wizard of Oz with a Motown
feel. Rebecca Lewis, Federation
Music Teacher, said “the cast of
96 students had only six weeks of
rehearsal and had ‘wowed’ a packed
audience on all three nights. An
array of cross-curricular activity
within the stunning production
had left its audience in awe of the
magic of live performance”.
Former Parkside Teacher returns to School
Celebrated author Nick Hornby, who amongst
others wrote High Fidelity and About a Boy,
spoke to students at Parkside Community
College as part of his participation in the
Cambridge Literary Festival.
Nick Hornby taught English at the school
from 1982 until 1984 and he explained the
experience had a profound influence on his
writing, “When I was at University I knew I
wanted to write but I didn’t know what or how,
so I did teacher training as my first job here at
Parkside”. He added “I loved the school so much
and the kids were amazing – I thought if I don’t
like it here, I won’t like it anywhere else.
Describing About a Boy as his “most Parkside” novel, he explained two of its characters – Marcus
and Ellie – had been inspired by pupils he had taught here. The character of Ellie came from a
girl in one of his GSCE classes who could “start a fight in an empty room!” Marcus on the other
hand was inspired by a 12-year-old boy from his most challenging English class who was “superbly
bright and nerdy” but never did any of his work!
Mr Hornby said it was “fantastic” to be back at Parkside and English teacher Adeline Palm, who
joined fellow teacher Jonathan Ellams on the interview panel, explained she was “very excited”
about his visit being a huge fan. She said: “”We have a lot of students who like to write in their spare
time so to have someone from our school who went on to be such a success is an inspiration for
them.” Having been interviewed by Jonathan and Adeline, Nick took questions from students and
then spent time chatting, signing books and being a part of many student selfies!
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LIVIN’ IT UP AT
7
THE PARKSIDE
2014 PROM
8
Inspirational speaker inspires
students
Years 10 and 11 students at Parkside
Community College were entertained and
inspired this term by a visit from David
McQueen.
David McQueen is an international speaker
who has been inspiring audiences for over
20 years.
He is humorous, provocative and empowers young people and those who
work with them to step into their magnificence. Drawing on his experience as
an entrepreneur, coach and youth advocate, his energy and passion inspires
audiences long after his speeches are over.
David focused on raising students’ aspirations, exam focus and preparation as
well as how to manage stress. David talked to students about how to succeed
in life, how to raise confidence and how to manage time.
Students enthused after the talk that David McQueen had been amazing
and they felt that he understood what being a young person was all about.
Students were also keen to hear more speakers like David McQueen.
Maureen Su, Assistant Head Teacher, KS4, said that the feedback from
students had been overwhelmingly positive with the majority of students
feeling that it had been of great benefit to them.
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Duke of Edinburgh is thriving at
Parkside Federation
In June, 70 students undertook their two day
Bronze Expedition in the Cambridgeshire
countryside. Students were privileged to be
the first DofE group to camp in the grounds
at Wimpole Hall. All students successfully
completed this expedition and followed it
up with a presentation on what they had
learnt from the experience. These students
are now in the process of completing their
volunteering, skills and physical sections
in order to receive their Bronze Award and
certificate.
Last year we had four intrepid Sixth
Form students as our first Gold Award
participants. In October 15 Parkside Sixth
students had their first training weekend,
where they honed their campcraft, first
aid and navigation skills. There was also
an introduction to the water for a number
of the students who are canoeing for
their expedition – another first following
the success of last year’s Silver canoe
expedition! Their expedition will take place
at Easter on the Wye.
The Gold Walkers spent October half term
in the North York Moors on their practice
expedition. They are heading to Snowdonia
at Easter for their final expedition.
For this year’s Bronze Award, we have the
largest group ever seen at the Federation
with 120 Year10 students signed up. They
have started their Physical, Skills and
Volunteering sections and will be working
towards their Expedition training in the
New Year.
STUDENT POEM WINNERS
IEC is delighted to announce an almost
clean sweep in the Mother Tongue
Other Tongue East Competition!
Key Stage 3-4 Parkside students of
non-English linguistic and ethnic
backgrounds were invited to select or
write in their mother tongue a poem
of special importance to them and to
explain their choices.
Our students took first spots in both
the Year 7 and Year 9 Mother Tongue
categories, with second and third
places too throughout the three yearassessed categories.
At a celebration event in October
which formed part of the Festival of
Ideas students performed their chosen
and composed poems with confidence
and maturity, and were a real credit
to the school in this event which was
supported by Carol-Ann Duffy.
Their efforts have been published in
an anthology, proceeds of which go to
Save the Children.
10
2014 RESULTS
Our 2014 results at both KS4 and KS5
showed a range of successes. Parkside
Year 11 students gained more A* and
A grades than those in any other state
school in the county, which is a great
achievement for them. Almost half of all
grades achieved were an A* or A (47%).
Parkside Year 11 students also topped
Cambridgeshire state schools for the
percentage of students achieving 5
A*-C (including English and Maths),
A*-C in English and Maths together,
A*-C in Maths alone, and expected
progress in English. Parkside was the
second school for the percentage of
students achieving A*-C in English,
expected progress in Maths, and the
English Baccalaureate. The percentage
of students achieving four levels of
progress (i.e. exceeding expected
progress) was double the national
average in 2013 for English and Maths.
Top performing students were Noosha
Alai-South, Francesco Dernie, Daniel
Liechtenstein, Rebecca Strauss and
Alice Stuart, all of whom scored 9 x A*
and 1 A each. It is heartening to see
Parkside excelling in both attainment
and progress.
In Sixth Form, the IB overall score for
students achieving the International
Baccalaureate Diploma matched the
world average of 30 points, which is
no mean feat considering the fact that
most IB schools are highly selective and
do not have a comprehensive intake.
The average point scores per student
for the IB and for the Sixth Form BTECs
in Performing Arts and Health and
Social Care also increased significantly.
Dance success
Parkside student wins place at world renowned London Contemporary Dance
School. Parkside Community College student, Rosie Reith has been selected to train
at the centre for Advanced Training at the world renowned London Contemporary
Dance School. Rosie was identified as having exceptional potential and will now
attend classes one evening a week as well as all day Saturday and also attend
intensive courses. Quite a challenge for a Year 11 student coming up to GSCEs!
When interviewed, Rosie explained that “The Place’’ CAT scheme is a brilliant
initiative that provides me and so many others with invaluable career opportunities
and advice that enable young people to meet new choreographers, watch incredible
performances, and choreograph each week. I am very lucky to be on the course, and
hugely appreciative of the fabulous Create team here at Parkside.”
Norma Neeson, Head of Parkside School said “We congratulate Rosie who has
given many stunning performances at Federation events, and also Ms Merryweather
who has encouraged Rosie through her membership of the Parkside Federation
dance company – a great achievement”. See photo on back cover.
11
THE WORLD OF STEM
Here at Parkside we provide many
exciting opportunities to take part in
STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering
and Maths) events both within school,
and outside of school. Students can take
part in STEM activities either as part of
the very successful Year 7-9 Science Club,
or through opportunities extended to
them. These enable students to explore
the world of STEM, and apply their
knowledge to real-life examples (and
competitions!). Events that take place
during the duration of the year include:
• Science Club at Big Biology Day at Hills
Road Sixth Form, demonstrating their
dissection techniques
• Top of the Bench Chemistry
Competition at the Perse School
• CSAR Lecture series; a series of talks
from university students about the
research they have been doing through
the CSAR Award scheme
• CREST Awards, which is a UK award
scheme focussing on building skills and
demonstrating personal achievement in
STEM project work.
Pupils go Potty for Harry
Year 10 Art students were treated to an
exciting trip to the Levesden Studios to
experience the opportunities a career in
art and design can offer.
After a short coach trip to Watford,
students were invited to step into the film
sets of Hogwarts and the world of Harry
Potter. Entering through the great hall,
the costumes of Dumbledor, Professor
McGonagle , Harry, Hermoine and Ron
oversaw the crowds from the high lectern.
Clutching a Hogwarts ‘passport’,
students walked from set-to-set collecting
‘stamps’ to record their visit. Encouraged
to collect as much visual material
references as possible, they sketched
artefacts and took photos to enhance
their GCSE folios.
Prop
manufacture,
animatronics,
product design, film visualisations,
costume design and manufacture,
photography, set design and construction,
make up and masks, to name a few, have
really helped to inspire the students and
focus them on their artistic studies.
The photo of Rosie was taken at the Botanical gardens by Lily Bracey an ex
Parkside student who is studying dance and photography at 6th form.
(Full story page 10).
PARKSIDE FEDERATION ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
Join the Federation Alumni Association and keep connected with fellow students and the
school.
You can receive information regarding alumni events and stay in touch with us.
Go to www.alumni.parksidefederation.org.uk to register.
Parkside Federation Academies
Parkside, Cambridge CB1 1EH
Tel: 01223 712600
Email: [email protected]
www.parksidefederation.org.uk
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