TJG/REM
May 2016

Dear Parents/Guardians

Headteacher’s Newsletter to Parents – No. 1 Summer Term

I know this term is really tough for students (and their parents) as they sit their public examinations. Everyone is working really hard supporting students in their examination preparation and the students are showing a very positive mature attitude. We wish them all the very best with their results.

Following on from our excellent rugby results, we continue to enjoy really encouraging sporting success notably with our hockey teams this year. We are fortunate to have such a strong PE department who encourage students to participate in a wide-range of sporting activities and to compete to a high standard.

Year 12 are currently on study leave returning 13th June, Year 11 leave on Thursday 26th May and Year 13 finish on Friday 27th May. We are looking forward to the Yr11 and Yr13 Proms which will take place on 24th and 30th June.

Student Successes

Dyson Foundation University Bursary

Adrien Fauvarque has been awarded an engineering scholarship worth £36,000 from the James Dyson Foundation. Adrien will have his university fees covered for the full duration of his course for up to four years. Adrien has applied to study engineering at several top UK universities. The application process challenged Adrien to name his favourite invention.

Adrien wrote about Leonardo da Vinci’s self-propelled cart and was subsequently shortlisted to be interviewed by the James Dyson Foundation and a Dyson engineer. We are very grateful to Dyson for their continued generous support of our students.

Fencing

Congratulations to Oliver Howitt, Yr12 who is the County Youth Fencing Champion 2016.

Year 7 LEPRA Fundraising

After an informative and thought-provoking assembly from LEPRA (a charity that works with victims of leprosy around the world), Year 7 were invited to fundraise for the charity in March / April. Students undertook a range of activities from sponsored walks, runs and rides to skateboarding and piano concerts. We were delighted to welcome the charity back for a Zumba assembly where students did a fun half hour Zumba session and were thanked for their efforts. Year 7 raised a brilliant collective total of £746.74 which the charity was immensely grateful to receive.

Yr 7 also ran an event to raise money for the NSPCC; the students had a special lesson where they sponsored each other for answering mathematical questions and ran a treasure hunt around the school at break time and raised £153.44.


Hockey Champions

Well done to all our Hockey Teams we are now Area Champions in Yrs 7, 8, 9 & 10, this is an amazing achievement. The teams have trained really hard and shown huge commitment.

The Young Citizen of the Year Award

We were delighted that Rosie Dicks Yr11 was awarded the Young Citizen of the Year 2016 award. Rosie has a very positive attitude and huge inner strength and fundraises for a charity that supports young people with cancer. Rosie’s energy and determination astound the school and she is an inspiration to all. We are all very proud of Rosie. Rosie was presented with her award by the Mayor of Malmesbury at a presentation evening on 27th April in the Town Hall.

Sports Writer of the Year competition

Against fierce competition, Jack Goodwin 7HP wins the Best Sports Writer and Katie Wicks 8TC the School Sports Journalism Award 2015-16. Jack will be writing a regular column in the School Newspaper from next term starting with a preview of Euro 2016. You can see Jack’s analysis of the differing fortunes of Leicester and Chelsea this season in the current issue. Katie’s brilliant article on Blood and Glory at St Mary’s takes the prize for the best piece of School Sports Journalism 2015-2016. You can read Katie’s article in the latest edition of the school newspaper. Congratulations to Katie and Jack.

Beer Festival

The organisers of Malmesbury Beer festival have very kindly donated £1,000 to each of the three Malmesbury Schools from their recent festival. We are planning to fit out our new sensory room with this money.

PTA Big Fat Quiz

Malmesbury School PTA held a “Big Fat Quiz” on Friday 22nd April and raised a considerable sum of money for new computers for school. I am extremely grateful to the PTA - our small but dedicated team of parents who work very hard to organise these events and raise lots of money.

Careers Week and Work Experience

Our year 10 students enjoyed their week in the world of work and all our students really valued the Careers Week events; it was really encouraging to see them talking and engaging with the many employers and colleges who visited during the week. Thank you again to everyone who took part in these sessions.


Stations of the Cross

As always Yr12 students produced some very creative and impressive artwork for the Stations of the Cross exhibition. The range of styles and techniques used was of a very high quality. I would like to thank Barry Gustard and Sue Gibbons for their time and hard work in putting the exhibition together. Thank you to Rev Neill Archer and the staff at Malmesbury Abbey for their support and kindness.

Events for your Diary

Medieval Event on the Feast of St Aldhelm’s, Bank Holiday Monday 30th May 2016

Malmesbury Town Council are hosting a traditional Medieval Event celebrating St Aldhelm’s, First Abbot of Malmesbury on Bank Holiday Monday 30th May from 10.30 am – 2.30pm. This is a free community event and everyone is invited. There will be Music Stalls, Entertainment, Craft, Archery and activities for children.

Malmesbury School Uniform Sale – Saturday 2nd July – Malmesbury School Canteen

The PTA are collecting donations of unwanted school and sports BRANDED uniform to help raise the final £300 of the £10k target this year. That’s 40 computers. They are nearly there… please help with the final push by donating your son’s/daughter’s unwanted and outgrown school uniform to the PTA.

Items can be dropped off at school reception during school hours between 13th June and 24th June. There is also an opportunity to drop off uniform items on the evening of 17th June between 7:30pm and 9pm at the PTA regular Bingo Night.

Items required are as follows and must be clean, undamaged, branded and in good condition. Please kindly remove any student name labels.

School branded Jumpers

Cardigans

Ties

Shirts (both branded and plain)

Shorts

Rugby Shirts

School Shorts

Green and Blue PE socks

Hockey/Netball Skirts

Branded Polo Shirts

(Please do not include trousers, skirts, coats, bags, shoes or any items other than those listed above)

When/Where will the uniform be available to buy?

The uniform sale will take place on Saturday 2nd July 0800 am – 3.00 pm in the school canteen – all uniform items will be priced at around 80% less than the new price, there will be other stalls on the day, so please put this date in your diaries.


Drug Awareness and Cyber Safety Presentation – Monday 4th July 7pm – 8pm

On Monday 4th July, Motiv8 and a Cyber Crime Prevention Officer from Wiltshire Police will be coming to Malmesbury School to deliver two presentations to parents and students. Further details will be sent out separately this week. Please return the reply slip by 10th June.

Boondocks Festival – Friday 8th July – Sunday 10th July 2016

If you are planning to attend the Boondocks Festival in July and haven’t purchased your tickets please visit the link at http://theboondocksfestival.co.uk/schools-affiliate-program/

For every ticket purchased via the Boondocks School page on the website, £1 will be donated to Malmesbury School

Summer Reading Challenge

Wiltshire libraries are recruiting young volunteers to help with the Summer Reading Challenge. This is an excellent opportunity for students aged 14 plus to learn key skills, develop confidence and gain experience which can be added to future CVs.

Revision Guide for English Language

If Year 10 parents are interested in purchasing a revision guide for English Language, the English Faculty recommend “Revise AQA GCSE English Language Revision Guide” (for the 9-1 exams) Publisher: Pearson ISBN: 978-1-4479-8805-2

G4S Vacancy

Catering Assistant required to join our Catering Team at Malmesbury School

£7.20 per hr – 25 hrs per week

0900am – 2.30 pm Monday – Friday

Permanent position

Term time only

Uniform and training provided

For an application form, please call Maria Knight on 01793 854935 or email


Term dates 2016-2017

Autumn term begins / Friday 2nd September 2016
October half term / Wednesday 19th October 2016 – Friday 28th October 2016
Christmas holiday – (2 weeks) / Monday 19th December 2016 – Friday 30th December 2016
February half term – (1 week) / Monday 13th February 2017 – Friday 17th February 2017
Easter holiday – (2 weeks) / Monday 10th April 2017 – Friday 21st April 2017
Half term break – (1 week) / Monday 29th May 2017 – Friday 2nd June 2017
Summer term ends / Friday 21st July 2017 at 3.25 pm

TD Days

1st September 2016

19th October 2016

20th October 2016

21st October 2016

25th November 2016

Hope you all have a very enjoyable half term.

Yours sincerely

Tim Gilson

Headteacher

A reminder of the Student Absence Line Number – 01666 829759

Corn Gastons, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 ODF

Telephone: - 01666 829700 Fax: - 01666 829701 Email:

SPORTS CLUBS

SUMMER 2016

MONDAYS / TUESDAYS / WEDNESDAYS / THURSDAYS / FRIDAYS
12.50 - LUNCHTIMES - 1.20
High Jump Club
(Gym) / Year 7 Parcour Club
(Gym)
All Years
Tennis League
(Tennis courts 1-3) / All Years
Tennis League
(Tennis courts 1-3) / All Years
Tennis League
(Tennis courts 1-3) / All Years
Tennis League
(Tennis Courts 1-3) / All Years
Tennis League
(Tennis courts 1-3)
3.40 - AFTER SCHOOL - 5.00
Archery Club
(existing members only) / Year 8 – 10 Athletics Club / Year 7 - 9 Girls Cricket Club / Year 7
Athletics Club / Year 7 & 8 Rookie Lifeguarding
Year 7 + 8 Tennis
3.45-4.45pm
(Coaching Project) / Year 7 + 8 Boys Cricket Club / Year 9 + 10 Boys Cricket Club
Year 5+6 Tennis
4.45-5.45

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

The only requirements are that you attend regularly with energy and enthusiasm

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