October / November 2012 - Pershore High School

October/November 2012
www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk
NewsLetter
Remembrance Poetry Competition
Diary Dates
AUTUMN HALF TERM
HOLIDAY SATURDAY 27th
OCTOBER TO SUNDAY 4th
NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER
5th
STUDENTS RETURN
TO SCHOOL
5th-16th GCSE External
Examinations
Timetable on page 7
8th
Roll of Honour at
Pershore High School
10.40am
19th-23rd Science Controlled
Assessments
20th Parent Panel 7.00pm
29th Sixth Form Open Evening
6.30pm-9.00pm
A new poetry compeon has been launched to help young people to remember
those who have given their lives in war. The compeon has been iniated by
the Chairman of Wychavon District Council, Richard Morris, who is keen to see
the next generaon express their awareness of past conflicts by wring poems.
The annual Roll of Honour will take place at Pershore High School on Thursday,
8th November at 10.40am.
Pictured, from le to right: Owen Taylor; Jeff King, Evesham Royal Brish Legion; Harry
Benne; Councillor Richard Morris, Chairman of Wychavon District Council; Nathan Palle;
Ken Tallis, Pershore Royal Brish Legion. Please turn to page 19.
Strengthening links with China
DECEMBER
3rd Year 11 Mock GCSE
Exams until end of term
6th Christmas Chocolate
Prize Bingo 7.00pm
10th Senior Citizens’ Coffee
Morning 10.30am
12th Carol Service at
Pershore Abbey 7.00pm
19th END OF TERM
EARLY CLOSURE
1.20pm
CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY
FRIDAY 21st DECEMBER TO
SUNDAY 6th JANUARY
JANUARY 2013
7th PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT DAY -
SCHOOL CLOSED TO
STUDENTS
8th STUDENTS RETURN
TO SCHOOL
12th 80th Anniversary Gala
Concert at Pershore
Abbey 7.30pm
18th Murder Mystery Evening
7.00pm
25th Holocaust Memorial Day
at PHS for Year 9
Pictured: Simon Kemp, Internaonal School Co‐ordinator, welcomes a group of Chinese
teachers from Caoqiao Middle School in Suzhou near Shanghai. Please turn to page 9.
FEBRUARY
1st FOPHS Quiz and Auction
7.30pm

STAFF INTERNAL TELEPHONE
Extension Numbers
PA to Headteacher
Mrs. L. Dyer 256
Deputy Headteacher
Mr. P. Hanson 227
Deputy Headteacher
Mr. A. Nockton 224
Assistant Headteacher
Mr. G. Booth 325
Head of Student Achievement
Mrs. Z. Budding 271
Head of Sixth Form
Mr. J. Howell 253
Sixth Form Support Officer
Mrs. J. McKenzie 240
Personnel Officer
Mrs. A. Davenport 205
Armstrong House
Miss E. Bliss 286
Mrs. E. Hall (Admin) 287
Kingsley House
Mrs. J. Higginbotham 337
Mrs. J. Jenkins (Admin) 290
Magellan House
Mr. P. Watson 235
Mrs. J. Hyde (Admin) 288
Business Manager
Mr. R. Dalton 265
Behaviour Management
Mr. R. Wood 268
Exams Office
Mrs. N. Christopher 257
Recepon
Mrs. E. Pleciak 221
Main Office
Mrs. C. Clarke 232
Mrs. J. Meadows 332
Absence Reporting
If your child is unexpectedly absent from school due to
illness please call school to let them know as soon as it is
possible to do so. You can ring or email the House offices
and can leave a message outside of school hours on the
following telephone numbers:‐
Armstrong ‐ Ext 287 Emma Hall
Armstrongcentre@pershore.worcs.sch.uk
Kingsley ‐ Ext 290 Jo Jenkins
Kingsleycentre@pershore.worcs.sch.uk
Magellan ‐ Ext 288 Julie Hyde
Magellancentre@pershore.worcs.sch.uk
It is also helpful to confirm using the contact details
above if your child will be late into school due to a
medical appointment.
Corbe’s Column: 3 Parent Panel Minutes: 4
FoPHS: 5‐6 Interact: 7 Exam Timetable: 7
Art and Photography: 8 Business Studies: 8
Duke of Edinburgh Award: 9 English: 10‐12
Learn2: 13 Mathemacs: 14 Modern
Foreign Languages: 14 Music: 15‐16
Science: 16 Technology and Design: 17
Zambia Fundraising: 18 House News: 19‐20
Student News: 22‐25 Reply Slip: 26
General Consent Forms for School Trips
Please make sure you have returned the general consent form so
that your son/daughter can take part in any school trip arranged
during normal school hours.
Please remember to keep us informed of any changes to your
contact details or changes to your child’s medical needs so that
we can keep our trip contact lists up to date.
You can inform us of any changes to personal informaon by
emailing data@pershore.worcs.sch.uk or phoning the school and
dialling extension 257.
PHS Newsletter
Due to increasing prinng costs would you please sign up
to receive your copy by email:
www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk
Click on Newsleer link and then click on
Sign up to Newsleer Email Reminders.
CHANGE OF CONTACT DETAILS
It is imperave that parents keep us informed of changes to
contact details and any medical issues affecng their child. Please
contact the school in the event of any changes to
personal circumstances.
Please contact: Data@pershore.worcs.sch.uk
or by telephone 01386 552471 Ext 257.
2

Corbett’s Column
We are at the end of a very busy and fulfilling
half term. The fact that the holiday is a week
later than usual means that just over four school
weeks remain before Year 11 begin their mock
GCSE examinaons. The metable for this has
been separately issued to Year 11 students.
Of even more significance is the fact that the
very first week back (beginning Monday 5th
November) sees external examinaons in English
and Mathemacs (metable on page 7). This,
coupled with the conscienous and determined
approach with which most students are tackling
their lessons and controlled assessments, is the
key to success in 2013.
Water but no energy drinks please
I would like to remind parents that water is
allowed in lessons in a clear plasc bole, with
the excepon of ICT and Music as it could spill
onto keyboards. It is only
allowed in Technology at the
discreon of the teacher
depending on the acvity
being undertaken, but no
drinks are allowed in the
Science Laboratories under
any circumstances. Energy
drinks remain banned.
Congratulations to Claire Rushton
Congratulaons are the order of the day as Claire
Rushton, Assistant School Business Manager at
Pershore High School, scooped second place in
the NASBM (Naonal Associaon of School
Business Managers) Business Manager of the
Year Award at a ceremony in London.
Claire, who aended the school as a student, is
a key member of the school’s support team and
fully deserves this naonal recognion for her
unsnng commitment to our school and
others in our pyramid.
Parent Panel Meeting
The Parent Panel met on 25th November 2012
and the minutes may be found on page 4 or
accessed from the PHS website:
www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk\Informaon\
Parent Panel.
The next Parent Panel Meeng will take place on
Tuesday, 20th November at 7.00pm
Friends of Pershore High School
On Thursday, 6th December at 7.00pm a
Christmas Chocolate Prize Bingo will take place
in the Dining Hall. All welcome and please see
page 6 for full details.
The FoPHS Quiz and Aucon of Promises will
take place on Friday, 1st February at 7.30pm.
Details will follow shortly.
Skydive for Leukaemia CARE
Mrs Rebecca Ward, mother of Year 8 student
Robert Ward, is challenging herself to a skydive
later in November, just over six years aer
being diagnosed with Chronic Myeloid
Leukaemia. She aims to raise as much money
as possible for Leukaemia CARE, a charity that
supports people affected by leukaemia,
lymphoma and other blood cancers.
hp://www.doiorcharity.com/RWard
Roll of Honour
The 8th November will see our annual service
of remembrance to pay our respects to those
connected with the school who died during
World War II. This very important date in the
school calendar will start at 10.10am for
10.40am at Pershore High School.
Clive Corbe
Reminder to all parents and other
visitors to school
For safeguarding reasons all visitors must ALWAYS
report to main recepon in the first instance.
3

Parent Panel
25 th September 2012
Present:
Jessica Albutt, Janet Coleman, Khadija Baxter, Sara Stanton, Jenny Barrett
Rita Grimes, Trevor West, Sarah Wheatley, Cordelia Roberts, Julie Hemming
Apologies: Dr & Mrs Ward, Mrs Chapman, Mrs Williams, Mrs Hornbrook
Issues Raised
Clive introduced Trevor West, who is also a governor, and explained that two governors have been allocated to
each house.
Armstrong: Liz Tucker and Trevor West
Kingsley: Felicity Ash and Pip Cavilla
Magellan: David Riley and David Rowe
They will be present at Parents’ Evenings and other events as a point of contact for parents.
Clive apologised for the fact that the Parent Handbook is not yet on the website; this will be done as a matter of
urgency and parents will be alerted.
Clive also apologised for the delay with issuing lockers to Year 8 pupils. He explained that it
was a key supply problem, but also apologised for the dirty state of some.
We were asked if we leased any computers given the “Panorama” story recently (Clive explained that the school
did not lease computers).
The issue of ELPs issued in Technology at different times with the same deadline – Clive will take this up with
Mr Harding.
A textbook issue in “A” level Biology was brought up – Clive will raise with the Science department.
The number of GCSE’s taken was discussed – Clive stressed the need for quality, not quantity.
Clive explained the English examination/controlled assessment issue and its impact on results. We are working
hard to rectify this with re-sits, whilst ensuring that current students are not affected.
The issue of thefts in PE was raised; Clive explained that this is an uncommon problem though regrettable when
it happens. Pupils must not leave valuables unattended.
Clive asked parents to respond to the consultation on new KS4 qualifications (deadline 10 th December).
Responses to him please. There were grave concerns about changes.
It was asked if we would look at including “Academy” in our name;
Concern was expressed at the quality of some school photographs – parents were asked to let school know.
Next Meeting 20 th November 2012
T:\ADMIN\Meetings\Parents Panel\Minutes 25 09 12.docx
4

FRIENDS OF PERSHORE HIGH SCHOOL 100+ CLUB
£60 £40 £20 £10 TO BE WON EACH MONTH
Join our successful 100+Club for just £2 per month and help the friends with their fundraising. Money raised helps all departments
within the school including The Hampton Centre.
The winning numbers are announced via the School Newsletter and are also published on the school website
(www.pershore.worcs.sch.uk)
Thank you
Brenda Smith, 100+Club Promotions Officer
The Giving Machine - You Shop They Give
You can now generate free cash donaons for Pershore High School
every me you shop online via TheGivingMachine.
It will not cost you anything extra ‐ the online shop pays the
donaon on your behalf.
Just go to www.thegivingmachine.co.uk
• JOIN as a shopper/Giver
• CHOOSE to support Pershore High School
• REMEMBER to shop via thegivingmachine every me you shop
online.
You can also download their tool bar at the top of your browser.
You’ll find more than 250
different shops at
www.TheGivingMachine.co.uk
including all your favourite high
street names.
100 CLUB WINNERS
JUNE 2012
1ST BARRETT NO: 68
2ND NEU NO: 156
3RD HERDMAN NO: 238
4TH WOODWARD NO: 42
JULY 2012
1ST KITE NO: 76
2ND CARTWRIGHT NO: 157
3RD FAIZEY NO: 212
4TH K SMITH NO: 10
AUGUST 2012
1ST BENNETT NO: 177
2ND BRIGGS NO: 90
3RD CORBETT NO: 141
4TH BRATT NO: 7
SEPTEMBER 2012
1ST DRISCOL NO: 49
2ND P COLE NO: 75
3RD CORBETT NO: 140
4TH WILLIS NO: 194
Extra help for students
Students who wish to access independent, confidenal help with personal and
health issues can do so through outside agencies vising the school.
School Nurse
The school nurse, Sara Stainforth, runs a drop‐in service on a Thursday between
11.20 and 3.30. She will give advice on any health issue such as stress, selfharming,
smoking cessaon or sleeping and eang issues. This service is
confidenal. Appointments are made at the main recepon.
Time 4 U
Time 4 U offer a drop‐in service on Thursday lunchmes in the sports pavilion
to students from Year 9 and above and to 6 th form students only on Thursdays
from 12.20‐1.20pm. This service is confidenal and independent and offers
advice on a range of issues such as relaonship advice, stress, bullying and
sexual health. More informaon can be found on the Time 4 U website
hp://www.playinitsafe.co.uk/findaservice/service_me4u.html
Hair Colour and Styles
Unnatural hair colour and extreme styles are not allowed in school.
Correcons and re‐dying must be done over the half term in preparaon for
return to school on Monday, 5th November.
Girls’ Skirts
In order to clarify the uniform
instrucons covering girls’ skirts, we
have indicated a preferred style of
school skirt. The skirt style in
queson is held by Schooltogs and
The School Shop and is priced
between £12.95 and £17.25
depending on size. The schoolwear
suppliers know that this is our
preferred style so please ask them
for assistance when shopping for a
school skirt. It is proposed that from
September 2013 only this one style
of skirt will be permied. There will
be consultaon with students
before the proposed change to the
uniform is acted upon.
If you have any comments or wish to
discuss this further please contact
the Headteacher, Mr Corbe.
5

Interact Club
Rotary is a worldwide network of inspired
men and women who translate their
passions into relevant social causes to
change lives in communies.
Made up of over 1.2 million Rotary
members in 34,000 Rotary clubs in 200
countries around the world, Rotary
Internaonal forms a global network of
business, professional and community
leaders who volunteer their me and
talents to serve communies.
Rotary clubs are based within local
communies, with their members
meeng on a regular basis to enjoy
friendship, networking, and to plan
projects that will benefit the lives of
others.
Rotary’s mission is simply to serve others;
to give something back; to advance world
understanding, goodwill and peace
through members collecve efforts.
Interact is a sub‐division of Rotary for
youth members. Schools and the young
people who aend them are at the heart
of communies and therefore central to
Rotarian ideals, rotary offers the chance
for young people, through interact clubs
to develop personal skills and a beer
awareness of problems that face the
world today.
Pershore High School Interact club is part
of a network of more than 10,000 clubs in
109 countries around the world. Our
members in Pershore range from Year 8
to Year 12. We have around 20 members
but would love more.
Each year we support both a local charity
and an internaonal charity. This year we
are supporng New Hope in Worcester
and Waterloo School Charity in Sierra
Leone.
New Hope is an organisaon working
with children with disabilies, and
providing support for parents and carers.
Their aim is to provide a happy, safe,
warm and smulang environment for
all children to play, learn and develop
freely. Their aim is to respect every
child as an individual regardless of
gender, cultural background or ability.
Waterloo School is in Sierra Leone, a
country that was damaged and almost
destroyed in the civil war.
The Waterloo School Charity and Laurie
Read, its founder, have been rebuilding
the school. We are planning to raise
money to sponsor scholarships for
students in the school.
Members of the Pershore High School Interact Club 2012 are pictured with Sue Smith of the bereavement charity Guy’s Footprints.
Supported by Pershore Rotary Club, the group recently handed over a cheque for £300 to assist the organisaon in its work.
7

Art and Photography
Artwork by Holly Osborne 9KLC
Visit to
Woodchester
Mansion
On Monday 15 th
October AS level
Photographers went to
Woodchester Mansion
in Gloucestershire.
Students took amazing
images and were able
to show the mansion
in its full beauty.
With a brief to
respond to
photographer
Francesca Woodman
students used props
and ouits to create
eerie ghostly scenes.
A fantasc producve
day was had by all,
now it’s me to get
developing.
Business Studies
The Year 12 Applied Business students
enjoyed a great visit to Dawn Foods in
Evesham in September. Aer an
introducon to the history of the
mulnaonal company which makes
muffins, puddings and brownies, the
students were given a detailed
presentaon about how the company
recruits and selects staff.
It was parcularly interesng to hear
how they carry out all the new product
development here in Worcestershire,
and manufacture to the highest level of
quality. A tour of the factory was quite
an eye‐opener when the scale of
producon was on show.
Top moments included seeing (and
smelling) the Belgian chocolate being
melted for McDonalds chocolate
brownies, a quick peek into the 36 degree
cengrade freezer and everyone dressed
up in the protecve gear – including a
snood. The students had a really
interesng insight into a successful local
business, and were an absolute credit to
the school.
Mrs Taylor
PHresh…..
Young Enterprise Group, PHresh, are pung together a cook book
themed around the local area and celebraons throughout the
year. They are looking for donaons of recipes for dishes, cakes etc
for Christmas, Easter, Harvest, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but
also anything that contains Pershore Plums, Worcestershire pears,
Vale asparagus, Worcester sauce etc.
Any suitable recipes would be gratefully received and you will of
course have credits in the book.
8

Duke of Edinburgh Award
On Thursday 20th September, the Silver
Award started out for their qualifying
expedion in the Wyre Forest. The
weather was mixed but we were all
shocked to wake up on the Saturday to
find ice on our tents. They all coped
fantascally with both the difficult
navigaon of the area and incredibly
heavy rain on the Friday. Well done to
the team as they all qualified for this
secon of the award and now just need
to get their different secons signed off
to gain their Silver Award.
I am in the process of sending out
reminders to Year 11 students who have
now qualified for their expedion part of
the Bronze Award. I have highlighted the
areas of their award that they need to
complete to gain their full award.
There are many of you who only need to
add evidence to their DofE, so come on
one last final push to finalise everything.
I look forward to giving out more awards
in the next few weeks. But for now
congratulaons must go to:‐
Bronze Award
George Frangoudes
Mahew Vicary
Emily Foster Phillips
Aaron Robinson
Eleanor Cavill
Rachel Dicker
William Hornbrook
Hannah Pope
who have all gained their Bronze Award,
well done.
I would like
to thank the
Year 10
students
and parents
who turned
up for the
informaon evening in preparaon for
our new intake of students for the
Bronze Award.
Congratulaons to all students who
applied for places, your leers of
applicaon were inspiraonal.
We will let you know before half term
who was successful in gaining a place on
the award.
Mrs Watson
Another Golden Year of Duke of Edinburgh
July 2012 saw another 13 Year 13s
embark on their Gold Duke of Edinburgh
Expedion. With A Level exams over and
an almost distant memory, spirits were
high in the minibuses on the short journey
to Mid Wales.
Sadly we arrived in the Eden Valley in
rather damp condions and the campsite
was close to resembling a mud bath in
places. But as miserable as the weather
was, and looked set to be for the next few
days, the students were upbeat and intent
on having a fun me.
Over the four day expedion there were
jokes and laughs, random (and slightly
bizarre) facts, some obligatory lichen
appreciaon, spells of campsite yoga,
numerous deep and meaningful
conversaons (and many that were
much more superficial), much cursing of
the weather, blisters, bites, and chaffing
and even a short burst of sunbathing.
New friends were made (in the form of
Barry the Skull‐Skully, the new team
mascot) and older friends just enjoyed
the opportunity of spending me with
each other.
As staff it is truly a pleasure to
accompany these students at the very
end of their school career. They always
amaze us with their ability to overcome
adversity and with just how much they
can squeeze into their backpacks. Each
year we ask the teams to come into the
final campsite in a fun way in a bid to win
“The Golden Trowel”.
This year the winners were the Orange
Team (Jo, Ellie, Lois, Jess, Luke, Chloe
and Josh) for their extra‐long three
legged effort. Well done Orange
Team.
Miss Bliss and Mrs Cox
Strengthening links with China - continued
Teachers from Caoqiao Middle School in
Suzhou near Shanghai made a special
visit to PHS to start a project to link the
two schools.
The visitors spent the day meeng staff
and students, discovering what normal
school life was like in the UK.
The project tled Global Cizen will see
both schools exchange video diaries,
work on tasks together and when the
opportunity arises, arrange to go on
exchange trips.
Simon Kemp, Internaonal Schools Coordinator
at PHS, said: “Developing links
with China is something we have been
planning for a while and we are excited
this project has finally taken off. The
Headteacher has been keen for students
to start learning Mandarin and it’s taken
off from there.
China has such big links with the business
and industrial sector so it is important
students have some understanding of
their culture before they leave school
and start off in the business world.
We are very proud of our reputaon
to develop links around the world
and giving these youngsters the
opportunity to visit these places and
learn about different cultures and
to celebrate diversity in the world.”
9

English
10

Gifted and Talented @Pershore High School
At the end of summer term, during one
of those (many) days of pelng rain I
ventured out, with my mac. (the coat ‐
not expensive computer) onto the M5 in
search of Bristol University. My brave
comrades were Rachel Day and Isaac
Chidlow. They had been selected to take
part in a ‘Dux’ day, where exceponal
pupils from Year 9 aend a University
taster day. Luckily, the weather didn’t
reach Bristol unl later on, so we were
able to wander around the beauful
buildings in sunshine, whilst being
talked through it all by a knowledgeable
and extremely personable third year.
Below, Isaac explains their experiences
and how the day was for them:
Day at the University of Bristol
We started early from Pershore High
School, arrived at 10:00am and went
straight into an English Lecture taken by
Dr. Gareth Griffith. He was very eccentric
and passionate about his subject and
dissected one of Shakespeare’s Sonnets.
He showed English in a really interesng
light and showed us all the different
techniques used in wring this Sonnet.
Aer this at around 11:15am we went on
a tour of the University. Our tour guide
was very helpful and was about to
graduate from a degree in Maths. Much
of the University requires a bit of walking,
so the tour took us around parts of the
city.
We were shown a variety of places
including: the Music Hall, the Social
Science/Economics building, the History
houses, the Physics Building which was
partly a Castle and also receives
informaon directly from NASA. Finally,
the tour ended with a viewing of the
library which was very modern and
sociable with its own café. We then had
lunch at a student canteen and the food
was very enjoyable. Aer lunch we went
across to the Chemistry Labs and got to
get hands on with an experiment. The
experiment was to extract caffeine from
eight tea bags. During the experiment we
used lots of different types of high‐tech
equipment, for example a Rotary
Evaporator which we used to extract
moisture from a soluon.
Also we used an IR (infra red) machine to
scan the caffeine sample we extracted.
Besides the experiment we were also
shown a piece of equipment which is
used to handle substances that explode
when they come into contact with air.
So the chamber is filled with Argon, an
unreacve Noble gas. Aer we finished
the experiment it was the end of a very
packed and enjoyable day.
The visit definitely opened my eyes to
the prospect of going to University and
my favorite part of the day had to be the
Chemistry experiment. I hope to have
more experiences like this in the future.
Isaac Chidlow MAW
Cheltenham
Literature
Festival
On the 5 th of October a small group of
us intrepidly ventured out to the
Cheltenham Literature Fesval to see
no less than Pat Barker, the author of
the Regeneraon trilogy, talk about her
work.
The talk was presented as an interview,
with the redoubtable Nick Hyam as host.
Pat Barker talked about her research into
the First World War; discussed her new
novels and her previous work including
the Regeneraon trilogy. She also
treated us to a reading from her latest
novel, Toby’s Room. We learned of her
love for wring dislikeable characters
and her fascinaon with her characters’
inner emoons and loyales.
All in all an excellent talk and well worth
the trip.
Gareth Roberts, Year 12
11

War Poems
Students in 8Po have been studying the
novel ‘Private Peaceful’ and this is a
sample of the poetry they have wrien.
The gas is like nothing that you have ever
known,
The pillars are coming up, there’s no
going home!
Coughing, choking that was me,
I’m on the floor on my hands and knees,
“He’s coming” someone had shouted
We huddled together the room’s really
crowded,
The noise of our hearts pounding
together,
Ripping sound of that cheap leather,
Closer and closer he had come,
That’s our lives gone, gone, and gone!
But me, I was the only one who
survived………
by Elly Simons
The Great War
The Great War, what is so great about
it
No‐one has ever witnessed so many
terrible things,
Fascinang places being wrecked unl
nothing more,
To win the War that should end all Wars.
Eager men excited to fight,
Enter the balefield with a rifle ready,
Millions die straight away,
Gas Bombs dropping, toxic tears
dripping down men’s face.
Glued to the spot hearing bullets
heading their way,
Blood sping in their face and seeing
friends die,
Unl they’ve had enough of this war,
Put the barrel of their gun to their head,
They leave the balefield but they’re
bodies dead.
by Harry Hamer
The War to End all Wars
Sons of man are their own undoing.
The War to end all Wars
The sea of doom swaying about as if there
was a hurricane where bodies drown, and
lives are lost and protecon not working,
man’s greatest mistake.
The nobility of this is no more and burning,
of the souls shaers the once peaceful
world into a bloody and bier hell.
And dooms all it touches.
Brave souls sent to their impending doom
just to ease the King’s mind.
Fooling itself and them into believing that
this shall help our world when all it does is
dim their souls away to the never ending
“great” war.
Shall this hell of genocide ever end or shall
our land get swallowed up into the sea of
green gas.
And the wall of steel stopping them from
escape.
Yet both man and animal must suffer for
the sins of kings and emperors and their
never ending dreams.
There is no honour in that which is the end
of so many and saviour of so few.
There is only regret that we did not see
what was coming before it came.
Naons must unite and prevail if they are
ever to defeat this doom.
by Vanessa Kostadinova
I Survived
My family have gone,
My friends have died,
I’m all alone no one to be seen,
I’m the only one le.
I remember it all,
Just as it was.
I don’t want to think,
It’s a bad thought.
I was in the trench and minutes later I
saw gas.
I put on my gas mask, started to run.
I got pushed over onto the ground,
And as soon as I know it I’m all alone
I feel my lungs burning, my heart
thudding.
I go up as fast as I could,
The yellow gas heading towards me
Finally I’m out, all alone again.
I survived
by Claire Howson
If Only
If only in the darkness,
We will go on.
Not to be killed,
Wiped and gone.
If only I survive,
Through these wicked days.
I won’t get gassed,
In a great green haze.
If only the things that I see,
Hurt me the most.
Stab me and shoot me,
Like a hunng ghost.
If only I could wait,
Unl the day.
I can wake up smiling,
Happy right away.
by Jenny Cooper
Cruel Gas
The shell exploded and the gas poured
out
Trapped, imprisoned in the trenches
they were helpless
Panic filled the air as men strapped on
their masks to save their lives
The only thing you noced was the fear
in their eyes
Each man was terrified that his mask
was on too late
The poisonous gas relentlessly killed
everyone it could
A young life is wasted, everyone sees
The gas flows in like a swarm of bees
The gas is cruel, it’s a devil’s toy
It catches out another innocent helpless
boy
Everyone knows, his eyes are closed
His life has been stolen by the gas
by Ciaran Galvin
12

Mathematics
Equipment
Our department continues to thrive as we all strive to make lessons
as effective as possible. We are working hard and always looking for
ways to make lessons more meaningful and more accessible to
everyone. If this is to happen, having the right equipment is very
important. Just as you need the right games kit for games, you need
the right kit for Maths. That means that you need a pen, sharpened
pencil, ruler, set squares, pair of compasses and a calculator.
It is also very important that you have the right sort of calculator
and bring it to all lessons. You need an up‐to‐date scientific
calculator with the facility to write fractions. Having this sort of
calculator is essential in lessons and particularly in the exams. There
are always some tricky questions designed to test your ability to use
a calculator properly. To be as well prepared as possible you need
to bring your own calculator to every class and get plenty of practice
with it. That way you will be confident using it in class and in the
exams.
You can buy all the essential maths kit and calculators directly from
the Maths Department, and at much cheaper prices than you’ll find
anywhere else. Just ask your Maths teacher for more information.
MyMaths Website
Did you know we subscribe to www.mymaths.co.uk
The school login is 'pershore' and the password is available
from your teacher.The website has a huge number of
interactive resources to help with revision. You can raise your
KS3 level or GCSE grade by using the online lessons, and then
check your progress with an online homework. It now has an
A level section too for students in the Sixth Form. If you
haven't already started using this website, start today.
CALCULATORS - £6.00
We recommend the new version of the Casio
Scienfic Calculator (fx‐83GTPLUS).
CALCULATOR AND MATHS KIT - £7.00
Students who buy a calculator and a Maths Kit
together get a 50p discount on the individual costs.
MATHS KIT - £1.50
▪ Clear Plasc Pencil Case
(suitable for examinaons)
▪ 15cm ruler ▪ 180 o protractor
▪ Compass ▪ Pencil ▪ Eraser
▪ Pencil Sharpener
Modern Foreign Languages
The MFL Department are pleased to
welome Katrin Schweigl from Austria who
is joining us as our Foreign Language
Assistant for the Year. There is an
interview with Katrin below:
Ein Interview mit der Spachassistenn
Hallo Katrin, wo wohnst du in
Ӧsterreich
Ich wohne im Westen von Ӧsterreich. Ich
wohne in Tirol auf dem Land. Dort gibt es
viele Berge.
Was sind deine Hobbys
Ich gehe gern wandern und im Winter
fahre ich Ski. Und ich koche auch gern.
Hast du Hausere
Nein, ich habe keine Hausere, aber wir
haben zu Hause einen groβen Garten und
meine Muer hat Enten.
Wie ist das Weer normalerweise in
Ӧsterreich
Wir haben sehr starke Jahreszeiten, das
heiβt wir haben ziemlich heiβe Sommer
und ziemlich kalte Winter mit viel Schnee
und Eis.
Wie lange wirst du in England sein
Ich werde ungefähr acht Monate in
England sein, also bis Ende Mai oder
Anfang Juni.
Magst du die englische Kultur
Ja, sehr. Ich finde die Engländer sehr
höflich und hilfsbereit und ich mag die
Landscha und natürlich die Kultur.
Welche sind besser ‐ die englishen
Sendungen oder die österreichischen
Sendungen
Ich finde die englischen Sendungen besser,
weil es mehr Auswahl gibt. In
Österreich gibt es viele englische
Sendungen, aber in deuscher Sprache. Der
Witz und Humor geht o beim Übersetzen
verloren.
Hast du die olympischen Spiele im
Fernsehen gesehen
Ich habe nur wenig von den Spielen
gesehen, weil Österreich so schlecht war.
Was möchtest du in fünf Jahren tun
In fünf Jahren möchte ich immer noch als
Lehrerin arbeiten und vielleicht eine
Familie gründen.
Was ist dein Lieblingser
Ich mag alle Tiere gern, aber am liebsten
mag ich Katzen, weil sie pflegeleicht sind
und weil sie sehr zahm sind.
Was ist dein Lieblingsplatz auf der Welt
Mein Lieblingsplatz auf der Welt ist mein
zu Hause und am liebsten bin ich im
Garten.
Was war deine Lieblingsfach in der
Schule
Meine Lieblingsfächer waren Deutsch,
Englisch und Erdkunde.
Was ist dein Lieblingsurlaubsland
Ich würde gern einmal nach Südafrika
reisen, ich war aber noch nie dort.
Hast du einen Führerschein
Ja, ich habe einen Führerschein. Ich habe
den Führerschein schon seit fast acht
Jahren und ich habe auch ein Auto.
Hörest du gern Musik
Ja, eigentlich schon, am liebsten höre ich
Pop‐Musik im Radio wenn ich Auto fahre.
Was sind deine Ambionen
Ich möchte eine gute Lehrerin sein, viel
reisen und später einmal eine Familie
gründen.
International
As announced in the last issue we have
been successful in our new Comenius
project “Building Bridges to connect
communies”.
The first acvity is the logo compeon
which Pershore successfully won for the
last project. Details have been emailed
to students. Deadline for logo entries are
Thursday 25 October to be handed in to
Mr Kemp.
On Tuesday 9 th October the school
received a visit from a delegaon of five
Chinese teachers from Caoqing Middle
School in China. They spent the day
meeng staff and students and teaching
mandarin lessons to Year 8 classes.
We also discussed a project which would
enable us to develop the link between
our two schools.
We will be exchanging work on the
theme of “The Global Cizen” with a
video diary being made by students to
be sent to our colleagues in China. The
prospect of a return visit has enthused
many of our students and would give
them the opportunity to experience a
new and excing culture.
Mr Kemp
14

Music
The following leer was received from
Laura Chapman, ex‐ student of Pershore
High School.
Dear Mr Corbe,
i just wanted to say how impressed I was
last weekend with two of your students.
I was helping with the Pershore Music
Fesval event on the 22nd September in
aid of Waterloo School’s Charity (I have
been fundraising with them for about
five years now and I gather that Pershore
High School is now also aware of the
charity too) Tom Forbes (who is in Year
11) and Ellis (a lovely young lady from
Year 13) were AMAZING.
I don't know if you have ever had the
pleasure of listening to them play/sing
but I was blown away, they even wrote
their own songs.
The event was very successful and it was
brilliant to see local students giving up
their me to aid children that don't have
everything.
They are both a true credit to the school.
Pershore Youth Music
Festival
We had a great day. At last the event
raised £670. We started with a two hour
showcase from the Worcester School of
Rock and Performance, organised by Jez
Cole. We then saw solo sets from Ellys
Lloyd Jones, singing along on both
keyboard and guitar, Vanessa Gravestock,
who sang, played keyboard and clarinet,
and Elliot Griffiths, a singer/guitarist.
Mid aernoon we were lucky enough to
have a set from Tom Forbes, who loops
various sounds on shakers, tambourines
and his own voice to layer a complete
song. He is an incredible talent and a
lovely lad to boot. Then we saw the Sixth
Form stage The Loved and Lost,
performing a very confident hard rock
performance. They also joined in an
impromptu jam for half an hour,
improvising a few songs aer another
band had to cancel.
Harry Dowling and his band Pbata played
aerwards before the well established
Malvern punk rock band Dogs of Santorini
played a great half hour set. Finally,
James Maey and the highly professional
and talented up‐and‐coming Pershore
based SJS band played an hour for us
before The Harpers, who are a group of
teachers from Nunnery Wood High
School, played their professional, sought
aer and ever‐popular covers set.
I would like to thank Pershore High
School for their efforts in publicising the
event and also providing a number of the
acts, it was also nice to see a few of their
students come down to support their
friends who were playing.
15

Calling all Musicians
Are you a current or ex‐Pershore High
School Musician Do you know someone
who was involved in music‐making when
they aended Pershore High School
Are you a friend of the school who enjoys
sharing and making music, or do you know
someone who is
If the answer to any of these quesons is yes, then we want to
hear from you.
On Saturday January 12 th , 2013 we are holding a Gala Concert in
Pershore Abbey. This all‐day event will celebrate 80 years of
Pershore High School with a concert that unites current and
former High School pupils in music‐making. We will perform as a
4‐part Choir, an Orchestra of unknown proporons and Jazz Band
of who knows what. We will meet together for the first me on
the day of the concert and we will rehearse throughout the day.
We then give an evening concert performing a wide variety of
music to suit all tastes including Locus Iste, Sing, California
Dreaming, Take Five, Jai Ho, Sway, Respect, Fantasia on
Greensleeves as well as many other pieces. Music will be
available prior to the day of the concert to give you plenty of me
to rehearse, as well as the opportunity to clean up some possibly
dusty and forgoen instruments.
If you would like to be involved or wish to find out more about
the event, please register your interest at the following e‐mail
address: office@pershore.worcs.sch.uk or contact the school via
telephone. Please tle your e‐mail ‘Gala Concert’. It would be
extremely helpful if you were able to provide a telephone
contact, home address and an indicaon of how you might like to
be involved. Musical informaon (such as voice type e.g. Soprano
(1 st ) or instrument e.g. Flute (grade 5)) would be parcularly
useful.
The day will be a musical celebraon as well
as a chance of re‐uning with old school
friends. I welcome all to be involved and look
forward to meeng you in January.
Keith Walden
Head of Performing Arts
Science
ATTENTION: YEAR 10 &11
GCSE SCIENCE REVISION GUIDES
The Science Department will be selling GCSE revision guides at
the reduced price of £2.75, there are two books available, one
for Core Science and one for Addional Science or three books
if you are studying separate sciences.
Simply give the correct amount of money or a cheque, made
payable to ‘Pershore High School’, to Mrs Schaathun in S11 or
Mrs Tarring in S10. (In a sealed envelope with your
name and tutor group on the outside please.)
BUY EARLY BEFORE STOCKS
RUN OUT
16

Technology
Food
GCSE Food Technology coursework is
now well under way with pupils
producing a wide range of superb
products.
Task tles include making a product
influenced by the Great Brish Bake Off,
and a meal suitable to be sold in mulcultural
restaurants which are both
popular choices for pupils.
Above: Alice Lees demonstrates fantasc
pastry making skills with a very
professional batch of individual pork
pies.
Above: Alex Dobell shows creave
designing with Spinach and feta pastries
with a Stuffed haloumi pepper and chick
pea salad.
Textiles
On Monday 24 th and Tuesday 25 th
September two ladies from Inkberrow
Design Centre came to school to lead a
1½ day workshop with the AS Texles
students. It required very hard work,
full focus at all mes, listening to the
instrucons, a lot of laughs and biscuits.
It was a very full two days but we all
had a lot of fun. Brenda and Vickie,
from IDC, became like our fairy godmothers,
teaching us everything from
‘block’ paerns through, balance
marks and how to inset sleeves. This is
linked to our latest task which has
been to design a blouse or shirt for a
High Street shop of our choice eg Top‐
Shop, H&M or Jack Wills. Our designs
are all very different which was a huge
challenge, but by the end of the
workshop we had all created our own
accurate, adapted paern pieces, a
basic toile and part of the final toile for
our designed product.
“We learnt a lot and they really helped
us with our projects” – Kae Dawson
Le: Sophie Daffin’s Chocolate
Brownies are a perfect consistency.
“Brilliant, I learnt so much and Vicky and
Brenda were fab” – Carys McCullough
Engineering
A team of PHS students have secured themselves a place in the
final of the naonal Engineering Educaon Scheme which allows
students to work with Pershore company, Allen Gears. The
students learn to solve problems and experience engineering first
hand.
The team achieved a BA Crest for its design and soluon along
with winning an award for Most creave Soluon at the Regional
Big Bang compeon.
This has seen the team secure a place at the naonal finals in
March. Headteacher Clive Corbe said: “We have definitely got
our sights set on the big prize while at the Big Bang Fair in London
next March. The best and most important discoveries and inven‐
ons are down to Science and Engineering, and this contest has
helped us to realise what we want to be part of in the future.”
Pictured: Carys Evans, Andrew Hemming, Simon Cartwright and
George Stephens.
17

Zambia
Pershore –Ndola link exchange fundraising
The month of October has been an excellent month of fundraising
for the exchange. This year Pershore High school have set their
fundraising efforts high and are working hard to achieve their goal.
In parcular we have now added an extra dimension to the link, by
raising money for Lubuto Clinc which is the health centre, run by
ward sisters , that caters for the Lubuto area and of course the
pupils of our partner school Lubuto High School. Lubuto Clinic has
very basic supplies and during our visit in March 2012 we worked
hard to renovate a treatment room.
Lubuto Clinic also has a maternity ward where premature and
poorly babies are kept so they can receive the care they need.
Unfortunately the incubators that keep these babies alive are oen
redundant due to the lack of a working generator. Through our
fundraising efforts, we hope to raise enough money to purchase
and ship a generator out to Lubuto clinic so that they can connue
the amazing work they do.
FUNDRAISING SO FAR……..
Murder Mystery Update
Due to popular demand we have changed the date of the Murder
Mystery Evening. The new confirmed date is Friday, 18th
January.
Still more to come……
Please support the Zambia link at ASDA
Pershore on December 21 st . We will be bag
packing, carol singing, the PHS jazz band and
there will even be a very special Santa’s Groo.
So spread the word and come and support us.
Take Me Out
A wonderful evening, dreamt up the
ingenious 2012‐2013 Zambian group by
candlelight in Zambia.
This event was an absolute scream, so
many laughs and high moments with the
star of the show Ellio ‘Paddy’ Mann
keeping the contestants under control.
Well done for the tremendous amount of
hard work from Ellio, Ella, Loe , Jenny
and the fantasc team of helpers that
made this evening an amazing event.
Thank you also to the brilliant audience.
Together you raised £1200 (at me of
newsleer going to print).
Colla Voce
‘The Rhythm of Life’
An amazing evening full of the very
best show tunes from the amazingly
talented Colla Voce, staring our own
Mrs Josie Marston, who also directed
the event.
Thank you so much for your support.
£702.00 raised
18

House News
Armstrong
We are so nearly one half term in —
doesn’t me fly Very shortly I will be
asking Armstrong Tutors to tally up their
tutor group’s House Points ready for the
first “Celebraon Assembly” of the
Academic Year. In addion they will be
nominang their “Tutee of the Half Term”
– this can be a student who has been
parcularly acve in Tutor Time, maybe
someone who has run or created a quiz or
other tutor acvity. Alternavely it might
be someone who is simply on me, polite,
smartly dressed and taking part every
day. Either way each Tutee of the Half
Term earns themselves a Commendaon
– it’s not too late to try and impress your
tutor.
A huge THANK YOU to all of you who
came to help out on Open Evening – there
was a wonderful atmosphere – you
should have received a Commendaon.
We are entering into the first phase of
Progress Checks and Reports and so I am
hoping to see lots of posive feedback
from your teachers. For any of you that
have areas to improve make the effort to
do so sooner rather than later.
As you will remember the theme for the
year is “Get Involved” following on from
the inspiraonal summer we had. I hope
lots of you are finding acvies to get
involved with.
If you sll haven’t tried anything why not
ask others in your tutor group for some
recommendaons Or be brave – just
go along and try something new
Emma Bliss
and Julie Taylor
Kingsley
As we move into the
Autumn term,
Kingsley students
have been showing
their mele by
working hard and
making super progress in their subjects.
The recent Progress Checks for Years 9,
12 and 13 have shown that the vast
majority of you are doing exactly what is
expected and you are reaping the
rewards for your connued effort and
commitment.
We all look forward to you coming into
the office to get House Points signed off,
and at the end of this half term we will
be tallying them up to see which Tutor
Group is in the lead. Make sure you
collect all the House Points that you are
owed and come to get them signed off
during the next few days.
Students in Years 8 and 9 should also be
working towards gaining their bronze,
silver and gold awards – check your
planner and get your achievements
signed off.
Lots of you have taken to heart the
theme of this year ‐ Get Involved. Well
done to everyone who has joined a
team, taken up a new sport or challenge,
signed up for DofE, taken a part in Oliver,
decided to play an instrument or join the
choir.
This year we are going to run the ‘Tutee
of the Half term’ compeon, where you
can vote for the tutee you think has
made the best contribuon to your tutor
group. It may be because they have
worked hard to inspire you, or prepared
a really good acvity for tutor me, or
perhaps they are a great example by
being on me, smartly dressed etc.
Each winner will receive a commendaon,
so start thinking about who you will
nominate and vote for.
A small number of students are leng us
all down by being late to lessons and
registraon. There is no excuse for this –
your moo must be On Time, Every Time.
Being late means you are missing out on
important informaon and we know every
minute counts.
Well done to Year 10 students who have
already got themselves sorted out with a
work experience placement. If you forgot
about it, please make this a top priority.
Enjoy your half term holiday.
Mrs Higginbotham
and Mr Sampson
Remembrance Poetry Competition - continued
The age categories for the compeon
are 9 to 12 year and 13 to 16 years.
The judging panel will include members
of the Royal Brish Legion and the
Chairman of Wychavon Dstrict Council.
They will be looking for individuality in
young people expressing their thoughts
and feelings on remembering the fallen.
Winners will be selected in age
categories and by areas including
Pershore, Evesham and Broadway and will
then have the opportunity to read out
their poems at the Remembrance Service
on Sunday, 11th November in their town
or village.
Councillor Morris said: "Remembering
those who fought for us in conflicts is
important to all of us, but it's especially
important that our future generaons
are given the opportunity to do this in
creave ways, not just in their History
lessons."
All entries need to be sent to
Karen Peters by emailing her at
karen.peters@wychavon.gov.uk or by
posng it on Wychavon's Facebook
page.
19

Magellan
It is that me of
year when the
clocks are going
back and the
nights are drawing
in. An ideal
opportunity to
stay in the warm and cosy and get things
done, like homework perhaps. I am
pleased to say that the House points and
Commendaons are starng to roll in,
suggesng that many of you are working
well and geng involved where you can.
Progress checks are just around the
corner and I am hoping they are going to
reflect a posive start to an academic
year in which everyone makes the kind of
progress they are
capable of.
No connecon
with Halloween,
here are the
Magellan House
Captains for the
2012/13
academic year:
‘Hello, my name is
Esther Chidlow and
I am joint House
Captain for
Magellan.
I am currently in
Year 13 and studying
Geography, Biology
and English Literature at A level, and I hope
to study Geography at University. I look
forward to listening to the students of
Magellan House and pung their views
and ideas across to achieve a successful
school year.’
Hi, I’m George
Croy Magellan
House Captain, I’m
currently studying
Maths, Economics
and Psychology and
hope to study
markeng and
management at
university next year.
I hope to be able to make a difference in
my role as house captain this year and
represent the members of Magellan house.
Don’t be afraid to
talk to them, they
are not as scary as
they look and they
will try to answer
your quesons and
help you out.
At the end of this half‐term Tutors will
be asked to idenfy the Tutee who has
contributed most to the Tutor Group.
That Tutee will then receive a
Commendaon for their efforts.
As half‐term approaches be sure to
reflect on your performance thus far and
think about how you can improve on it.
When it does arrive
be sure to enjoy the
half‐term break.
Mr Watson and
Ms McPherson
Checkmate
Make the right move and
come along to Chess
Club. Pawn to Queen’s
Knight 4. This year we
are re-launching the ever
popular Chess Ladder.
This competition is open
to all years and even
some teachers.
Bishop takes Queen.
Once on the rungs, you
can claw your way to the
top by beating those on
the steps above you.
See the tears and
tantrums as you trounce
your opponents.
Rook to King 8
checkmate! Chess may
be civilised but it has a
brutal edge too.
Everyone, from novice to expert, can play chess on
Tuesday and Friday lunchtimes in room M4. Taking part in
Chess Club wins points for your house and there are bonus
points for the top three in the Chess Ladder competition.
Mr Segar
20

Volunteers required
at Norton Youth Club
With around 100 young people on the
register and around 50 aending each
week we are looking for students who
would like to help at Norton Youth Club,
from cooking pizza, playing games, sports
acvies or just chang.
We have five adult helpers most weeks
and have recently been awarded two
grants to enable us to employ a qualified
Youth Worker part me for the next two
years
Volunteers need to be 16 +, but we will be
happy to consider anyone from Years 11,
12 or 13.
Please contact:
Mike Goode on 07983 424535
OFF ROAD
DRIVING
Where The School Car Park
When Every Saturday and Sunday
morning as required, from 9.30am - 2pm
Who If you are 15 or 16.
No licence needed.
How much £10 for 30 minutes
Be one jump ahead of your mates when you get to
17. Free advice regarding obtaining your driving
licence, booking your theory and practical test.
All training slots must be pre-booked.
Telephone: Malcolm Dalley
on 07977 140336 or 01386 554245
Email: malcolmdalley1@hotmail.com
21

Student News
Pershore Youth Council meet with the Mayor of Pershore
Pershore Mayor, Charles Tucker, recently
welcomed the next generaon of the PHS
Youth Council. Madeleine Hall, who was
nominated as the new Youth Mayor said:
“I was on the Youth Council last year.
That experience and what I learnt inspired
me to become the new Mayor. We have
monthly meengs and we discuss issues
that affect not just the youth of the town
but everyone.
We are about to begin organising the
Christmas lights switch on, which really
brings everyone in the town together.”
Headteacher, Clive Corbe, said the
Youth Council play an important and
acve role in the community.
“The Youth Council has been in existence
for three years and plays a vital role, in
both Pershore and its environs, but also
as a close link between school, its
students and local decision makers.”
Pictured:
Pershore Mayor,
Charles Tucker,
with members
of Pershore
Youth Council
22

Evesham Archers take County Gold
In spell binding display of shoong talent, five members of the
Evesham Archery Club took two Golds, one Silver and two
Bronze medals together in the County of Worcester Archery
Championships at the March Hare Club’s Throckmorton field
range.
Evesham Archery Club is ostensibly a compeve Target Archery
Club as seen in the recent Olympic and Paralympic Games, but
always manages to come up trumps in compeng in this foreign
discipline staged by the County Archery Associaon each year.
In field archery, competors move from target to target set at
varying distances and different sized target faces ranging from
60m down to 15m for adults.
The Evesham Club can now proudly boast eight previous
members who have shot for either Great Britain or England,
and joined by others from the club they have won nearly every
division both senior and junior of UK Archery Championships
since moving to their permanent home in Badsey in 1984. So
much is Evesham’s reputaon, other top representave archers
from all over England and Wales have gravitated to the 24/7
facilies and coaching available at the club. One esteemed
member, Simon Tarplee, sll owns the disncon of winning the
European Compound Championships twice running. The club
were also an integral part of the 700 th Anniversary of the ‘Simon
de Monort’ Memorial Celebraons in 1965, with the 750 th
coming up in three year’s me, with the club’s own 50 th
Anniversary coming up next year.
In her other sport of swimming, Pershore junior ace Tazmin Pugh,
had a go at her first Open Archery Compeon having won the
Pictured above: Tazmin Pugh
Evesham Club’s Junior Championships the previous month and
became Junior Female Olympic Bow County Field Champion for
2012 with a score of 211 and gaining the highest handicap score
of anyone on the day of 1573.
With such fine performances from all the Evesham members it
came as no surprise when they collected another four Golds.
Medals in the team event sorted by the accumulated total of their
four top handicap scores, though with any combinaon they
would have sll won, totalling an unprecedented 5,621 points and
taking the County Field Trophy once again with Malvern 2 nd on
5,451 followed by Redhill, Wyre Forest, and Droitwich clubs.
Sprint Success for Tom
Following on from his 100m Sprint
success at Nunnery Wood in the
summer where he won in just 12
seconds, Tom Kenwright, pictured
above, receives the Ernie Andrews
Cup for Best Sprint Performance for
Youths under 15 Years.
Well done to Giles
Giles Poer won through to the finals of
the Open Mic UK at the O2 in London and
since then he has become a student with
Baby Girl Music in London and aends
singing lessons during the holidays.
He has recorded his first record called
"Big City" and he is part way through his
second which should be complete by the
end of the month and he hopes to
complete his third record by December.
Giles won through to the Midlands finals
of Open Mic UK 2012 at the Corn
Exchange in Bedford on 25th November,
as well as the final of “Straord Does
Talent” on the 17th November at the
Civic Hall in Straord.
On top of this he has also won through to
the "Boot Camp" stage of Pop Icons which
is run by Worcestershire County Council.
This is a full week of singing and pracse
during the half term.
Good Luck
PHS students Shaun Wigley and
Jared White are heading out to
South America at the end of the
week to parcipate in an
internaonal karate compeon.
Shaun and Jared, who are both in
Armstrong House, will represent
England at the Copa Muryama
Karate compeon which is
being held in Mexico.
23

Wychavon Awards
In another supporve recognion of their sporng talent Wychavon
have awarded the ‘Junior Sports Personality Awards for 2012’ to
swimmer Tazmin Pugh. Tazmin is a member of Pershore and
Worcester Swimming Clubs.
Tamzin has now risen through the ranks of her young sporng
career, they have England behind their name with Tazmin now a
member of the level 1 England Talent Development Programme
following her excellent results at the Naonal Age Group
Championships.
Tazmin has, for an unprecedented third year in a row, been
presented with the Junior Female (under 18) award. She first won
the honour back in 2010, whilst she was sll only ten years old and
was already a three me winner of seven Naonal Independent
School’s swimming tles. Tazmin’s first win was when she was sll
only eight years of age, this was as well as being Midlands Cross
Country and Athlec Champion in several events whilst sll aending
Bowbrook House School. She moved to Abbey Park Middle in 2011
and connued winning every South Worcestershire district
swimming, athlec track, field and cross country tle which came her
way. Tazmin became the Minor Counes 800m track champion
compeng in the under 14s whilst sll 12, and 2 nd in the county cross
country championships.
Looked on at the presentaons by Mr Rees, she now hopes to join
forces with another highly successful County and District swimming
Champion and Naonal Champions medal winner Isobel Griffiths who
trains out of the City of Birmingham club to see if they can connue
their winning ways together. Tazmin is grateful for the work put in by
her coaches and also the grants she has received from the ‘Joanna
Brown Trust’ and ‘Team Super Sports’ (TSS) together with donaons
from the generous residents of Pershore who do not wish to be
named but have helped her raise money for TSS and who wish to
share their pride in the town’s sporng achievements.
Tazmin’s birthday is in January and as ages are taken at the date of
compeon, she has always been one of the youngest in her age
group in the Herefordshire and Worcestershire County
Championships which took place last February. Despite her age this
has never stopped her winning and in her latest haul she achieved 11
medals (six gold and five silver). Making the step up to the Midland
District Swimming Championships (comprising of nine counes in the
Pictured: Tazmin Pugh receives her award from Chairman of
Wychavon District Council at the Wychavon Awards.
East and West Midlands) in June and qualifying for every single
event Tazmin connued her winning ways taking one gold,
silver and bronze amidst sff compeon from swimmers in the
elite county and city clubs.
Only a month later having qualified for four events in the
Naonal Age Group Championships Tazmin swam personal
bests and made the final of the 100m buerfly coming 8 th and
finishing equal 10 th in the UK with Redditch swimmer Poppy
McGorlay in the 100m freestyle, only narrowly missing the
finals with two overseas swimmers taking up two of the places.
With her athlec and cross‐country achievements Tazmin Pugh
recently tried archery and only a week later won both the
Junior (under 18) and Novices Trophy at Evesham Archery
Club’s Championships helped by their own Internaonal Junior
Miss Sally Gilder shoong the more difficult senior round.
Their sports clubs and schools are jusfiably proud of these two
youngsters not only in winning these presgious awards but
connuing to stay near the top of their sports within not only
Wychavon but the County, Region and indeed Country as a
whole.
Pershore delivers against
bigger opposition
Giving their successful youngsters a rest
it was an older team compeng in
Wolverhampton at the Stourbridge Club’s
‘Profab Shield’ Gala against some of the
region’s bigger clubs yet once again
delivered the goods.
Following on from their recent promoon
success in the presgious Diddy league
and again punching above their weight,
Pershore came a very credible fourth
place behind much bigger clubs including
Kingsbury, Stourbridge and Redditch
edging out other local clubs.
Pershore recorded a staggering 17
podium places including eight first places,
two seconds and seven third places plus
13 personal best during the event.
Michael Evans produced a good all round
display, taking third place in the Boys 13
years 50m Freestyle in a new personal
best of 31.08 and fourth place in the 13
years 50m Breast Stroke again in a new
personal best of 42.02.
Lizzy Vizard achieved third place in the
Girls 14 year 100m Breast Stroke in
1.29.28, whilst Drew Jones came 2nd in
the 50m Breast Stroke in 43.59, with Ella
Spencer taking bronze in the 50m back in
39.92.
The final results were Kingsbury 310
points (first), Stourbridge 301, Redditch
262, Pershore 242, Bromsgrove 210,
Evesham 201, Oldbury 139 and Warley
106.
Tom Naughton, Pershore’s head coach,
said: “Another strong performance from
our swimmers especially against much
bigger clubs. This event gives some of our
youngster the opportunity to swim
compevely for the first me and not
necessarily in their strongest events.
It’s great to see so many swimmers
stepping up, smashing personal bests
and delivering some outstanding
performances. They once again showed
the team spirit and desire to win that is
running through Pershore Swimming
Club.”
24

Pershore Team perform at County swim
Youngsters from Pershore Swimming Club took part in the
Worcester County Development Meeng at Wolverhampton on
Saturday, delivering four first places, 26 personal bests and five
new County Qualifying Times (CQT). It was also the first me
compeng for some of the newer club swimmers.
Lizzie Vizard connued her recent excellent form, achieving two
CQTs and another personal best. Lizzie won the Girls 13 years
50m breast stroke in 40.46 (gaining her a CQT) and she backed
this up with an excellent second in the 100m IM in 1.18.58
(a new personal best and a second CQT).
Jack Beeridge produced a string of strong swims and took third
place in the Boys 13 year old 50m breast stroke in a new
personal best of 43.66, taking three seconds off his previous
best and he also recorded a personal best of 33.25 in the 50m
freestyle.
Other swimmers who produced personal bests included Louise
Hird in the 50m freestyle (38.24),
Commenng on the
performances, Tom
Naughton, Pershore’s
head coach, said:
“We had a very good day
where younger swimmers
connue to develop the
skills that they pracce so
hard in training. It’s really
pleasing to see so many
swimmers recording
personal bests and an
increasing number of our
squad securing County Qualifying Times.”
Dragon Boat Success
Pershore Phoenix Dragon Boat Club have capped off a fabulous
year in style by being crowned Wychavon Sports Club of the Year.
The club, formed in 2007, were presented with the award at
Wychavon District Council’s Sports Recognion Awards at the
Civic Centre in Pershore.
The event is held every year and recognises the sporng talent
and achievement across the district during the past year.
Pershore Phoenix Dragon Boat Club have made significant strides
during the past year winning the Naonal Standard Dragon Boat
Racing League and several club members took part in the first
ever Venice Canoe and Dragonboat Fesval earlier this year.
The club also had the honour of being selected to take part in
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant on the River Thames back
in June.
Chairman of Wychavon
District Council,
Councillor Richard
Morris, aended the
ceremony and said it
was vital for Wychavon
to build on the legacy of
London 2012. “It’s been a really excing and inspiraonal year for
sport on a naonal level with the huge success of London 2012
Olympic and Paralympic Games and also on a local level too.”
Excellent performances by Pershore
swimmers
In their first round of the Naonal Arena League Pershore
Swimming Club had to draw on the compelling talent of their
younger swimmers but for the first me in many years had
entered a league in which many of their senior swimmers could
take part. This is the premier league in the country and had to
enter at division 3 level hoping to win promoon at the first me
of asking. Swimming against hosts Rugby together with Solihull,
Blythe Barracudas (Birmingham), Aylesbury and Luton, Pershore
club did so in some style in which the town and surrounding
villages would be proud.
PHS Sixth Form student, James Gribble, started his own busy
evening in the Open secon finishing with a me of 2:39.88 in the
same event. Pershore’s first top place podium finish came in the
11 and under (11/u) boys 4 x 50m freestyle made up of William
Gearey; Chris Vizard and Abbey Park Middle School pupils Josh
Sharra and Simon Sweatman in an impressive me of 2:15.76.
The foursome in the 13/u girls Medley relay of Ella Spencer;
Hannah Kenwright; Tazmin Pugh and Casarena Ferreira quickly
followed this with 2 nd place finish only marginally slower than
Owen Leeks; Drew Jones; Jake Spencer and Sweatman in their 1 st
place finish in their relay. Another 2 nd place came Pershore’s way
in the Open age group (16+) in the 4 x Medley Relay from Cara Lee;
Helen Annis; Tazmin Pugh and Naughton.
Even with these good results Pershore were lying in 4 th place early
on and had to hope their swimmers in the individual races could
come up with the goods. With Naomi Marsden’s 2 nd , Josh Sharra
3 rd in the 13/u backstroke and brothers Drew Jones 3 rd in the 13/u
100m breaststroke and Angus Jones 2 nd in the 15/u 100m back the
club set about their task well. A 1 st place from Naughton in the
Girls Open 100m fly and another 1 st from Josh Sharra in the boys
11/u 50m fly helped the club to start the climb to 2 nd place behind
Blythe which a 2 nd place finish from Blackminster pupil Owen Leeks
in boys 13/u back and a 1 st place from twelve year old Pugh in the
15/u fly helped keep Pershore in the hunt. Pugh was to compete
in five relays and three individual events all of which she won on
the night.
Isobella Woodcock (10) showed excellent form in the 11/u 50m
breaststroke coming home 2 nd in a me of 44.26 whilst Pugh
brought home gold again in the 13/u fly. Harry Sykes took me
out from training with the Great Britain Pentathlon squad taking
3 rd in the 100m free and 1 st place in the 100m breast, whilst two
more 1 st placed finishes from Sweatman (who also competed in
five relay races) and Pugh in their individual freestyle races
together with a 2 nd place from Drew Jones in his boys 100m free
looked like securing a 2 nd place finish overall from Birmingham’s
Blythe team, but it came over the loudspeakers the club had at this
point narrowly slipped to 3 rd place overall.
With more personal bests and great swims coming from Xander
Jacques, Alex Dobell, Kae Sharra, Lizzie Vizard, Megan Tolley
played their full part in this excellent performance turning in 30
top three place finishes from the 50 events in the programme.
Special menon must be made of Pershore High School twins Jake
and Ella Spencer swimming eight events between them and Drew
and Angus Jones swimming six events each during the evening all
delivering great results.
Two more 3 rd places did indeed secure Pershore 2 nd place on 198
pts with Blythe on 243, whilst Rugby took 3 rd with 185pts,
Aylesbury 4 th 157pts, Luton B 144pts and Solihull B 118pts.
The club proved once again that when the chips are down
Pershore always show fight and determinaon to win through.
25

Important information about term time absence
Changes have been made to
the guidelines provided by
Worcestershire County Council
relang to the authorisaon of term
me absence for holidays.
The naonal regulaons governing
student aendance make it clear
that parents do not have any right
or entlement to take a child out of
school for the purposes of a term‐me
holiday. Holidays during term me
should be seen as an excepon to the
norm and term me absence should
not be authorised unless there are
exceponal circumstances.
The Headteacher will be responsible for
deciding what constutes exceponal
circumstances and each request for term‐
me absence will be considered on an
individual basis.
An exceponal circumstance is likely to be:
● a one‐off, unique situaon such as,
a parent, grandparent or other close
relave is seriously ill and the holiday
proposed is likely to be the last such
holiday;
● there may have been a significant
trauma in the family recently and the
Headteacher might consider that an
immediate holiday might enable the
child concerned to beer deal with
the situaon;
● the holiday might be a unique,
one‐off never‐to‐be‐repeated
occasion which can only take place at
the me requested.
The cheaper cost of holidays in term
me will not be accepted as an
exceponal circumstance.
Any queries relang to term me
absence requests should be directed
to the House Administrator
(telephone numbers on page 2).
School Uniform Vouchers
An allowance may be available for
essenal school uniform. In the most
recent financial year, the essenal
uniform allowance was available only
for a limited range of items.
Grants are considered only for children
from the date they would start school
under the County Council’s standard
admissions policy and later when they
move on to each stage of schooling.
The second part of the acceptance
criteria is that the child/children named
have to be starng or transferring to a
new school. A maximum of two vouchers
per child will be supplied. The value of the
vouchers varies slightly depending on
what the voucher is for and the age of the
child/children concerned. The vouchers
can be exchanged for school uniform in
approved stores. A list of the relevant
names is supplied with the vouchers.
The scheme is subject to revision each
year.
Applicaons for assistance should be
addressed to:
The Educaon Welfare Service,
Worcestershire County Council, County
Buildings, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster,
DY11 6RQ.
For enquiries please contact 01562
757651 \ 757652 \ 757653 and ask for
clothing grants.
October/November 2012 Newsletter Reply Slip
Parent(s) please sign, as requested, and ensure that this reply slip is returned to the House Office,
not later than Thursday, 8th November. There is a prize for the first drawn out.
Signed …………………………………………………………………………...……………..…...………………..… Parent/Guardian
Student ………………………………………………………..………….………...……….. Tutor Group ………………………………
The winner of the August/September reply slip draw is
Hannah Pope KNM
26