Maidenhill Newsletter - Maidenhill School

On the 15th of January
2012 I went to
Westonbirt School for
the heat of the Southern
Cotswolds Rotary Young
Musician of the Year. I
competed in the brass section
against three competitors
and we all had to play a
programme of between 5
and 8 minutes. We were
judged on stage presence
and appearance, as well as
our musical performance. I was lucky
enough to proceed to the final.
The final was around a month later
in the Sibly Hall, Wycliffe College.
There were between 200 and 300
people in attendance that evening,
Rotary Young Chef
Competition
During term one I decided to
take part in the Rotary Club
Young Chef Competition. I decided
to do this because my teacher Miss
Fry thought I would do well and also
because I had been achieving good
marks in my catering course. The first
part of the competition was a school
heat where I competed against
three other students. Two chefs from
Stonehouse Court Hotel and the
Emporium in Stroud came to judge
the competition.
My menu for this round was ravioli
with spinach and ricotta cheese plus I
made a dessert of poached pears.
I was really pleased with how it
turned out and I was awarded
first place by the two chefs for my
SCHOOL CHOIR
including Mrs Wilson and Mrs Ball. All went
well and I won the brass section, coming
third overall, with an invite to the next
round. I really enjoyed myself and hope to
enter again next year.
Ryan Morgan - FGA
Year 11
presentation,
taste and skills
levels.
From
winning this
stage of the
competition
I went on to
compete in the semi final. For this round
I had to add a starter to my menu
and I decided on stuffed tomatoes. In
preparation for this Jason Campbell, the
head chef from the Emporium, came to
Maidenhill to mentor me.
I really enjoyed taking part in the
competition and the work carried out in
my GCSE catering lessons really helped
me cope with the pressure of cooking
within a restricted time.
Sian Gardiner – DCE
Year 11
ongratulations go to our school choir
Cwho performed superbly at the Victorian
market at Gloucester Quays in November.
They came away with £100 in recognition of
their 3rd place in the competition. The winners
also had Maidenhill connections with Kim Steele
and Jess Weaver, former students, delivering
impressive performances in their choir.
SPRING 2012 EDITION
Maidenhill Newsletter

MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
HEADTEACHER’S
UPDATE
Stroud Arts Festival 2011
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When I look back over each term,
it never fails to amaze me
how much goes on at Maidenhill.
Our students are able to enjoy so many
opportunities and it is always a real
pleasure to find out how much they
have gained from different experiences.
What a credit they have been when they
have visited various places or worked
with people from the community here
in school.
This term has been no different with
individual students’ success stories:
Ryan with his musical talent, Sian
with her cooking skills, Lance with his
football prowess and Billy with his
speed and skill at the table tennis table.
Team successes have also been evident
with the school choir in the Heart
Radio competition, our amazing school
production, ‘You’ve gotta have COOL!’
and the numerous sports fixtures this
term. We really can be very proud of
our students!
We are particularly impressed with Year
11 who are set to break Maidenhill’s
records with their GCSE results in
the summer. Over half of them have
already achieved high grades in their
maths GCSEs and every day, more
and more students gain their level 2
award in Adult Literacy and Numeracy
(equivalent to a GCSE grade B). They are
exceptional role models to our younger
students, and as our Year 7s have said,
the vertical, mixed age tutor groups
have enabled them to really benefit from
the friendships, guidance and support
offered by the older students.
Plans are moving apace now for the
£3.8 million buildings improvement
project as we see our working and
learning environment being revamped
with new roofing, new cladding and
new windows. Exploratory work has
already started on the current building
to help the design team decide how the
main building can be transformed. Work
is scheduled to start at the beginning of
the summer holidays and last just over
a year. With all the successes of our
students and this major investment, I
am sure you will agree that the future
for Maidenhill and the whole community
really is looking very bright indeed.
Mrs P Wilson
Congratulations to our BTEC
Performing Arts group, who
scooped 2 out of the possible 3
group awards at the festival this year.
Up against Marling, Stroud High and
Thomas Keble, and including students
from Year 10 to Year 13, it was a
nerve wracking evening but I am
delighted to say that Maidenhill truly
held their own.
‘Jessica’ (Maidenhill) won the best
development of story award and
‘Behind Closed Curtains’ (Maidenhill)
won the award for best ensemble
piece. All performers were excellent,
with all students gaining an A or B
grade in BTEC Performing Arts in
Devising and Acting. This was assessed
on the night.
Mrs M Stimson-Machers
Performing Arts
School
Council
In the February meeting of the
School Council the purpose of the
council was clarified and new meeting
arrangements discussed. Mrs Wilson
explained the £3.8 million building
programme and shared some of
the design proposals. As part of the
building programme there are plans
to relocate and relaunch the school
library. Current use and possible ideas
for future development were shared.
Council members discussed their
views on the catering provision in
school prior to a meeting with ABM.

MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
Christmas Reward Lunches
During the last week of the winter term 360
students were able to celebrate with music and
festive fun. Over four days selected students enjoyed a
Christmas reward dinner provided by the school. The students
were invited to celebrate their achievement and excellent
behaviour with others in their Learning Community. There
was a wonderful
atmosphere with
Christmas music
playing during the meal
and staff helping to
serve. Students were
also able to take part
in a prize draw with
ten percent of each
sitting winning a prize.
‘Edible Hedges’
Gardening
Project
Mrs Bennett told us about a gardening project in
Stonehouse which would help the local community.
On the day we brought appropriate clothing into school
before walking to Laburnum Park where we helped to
plant the remainder of the ‘Edible Hedges’. These were
saplings donated by the Woodland Trust. The fruit from
the hedges will provide food for birds in the cold months
and for chutneys and jams for years to come.
We loved doing this and I think our help was very much
appreciated.
Neil Bond - RRO
Year 10
The school gardening club have passed Level 1 of
the RHS benchmark scheme for school gardens.
Any donations of equipment or plants from parents
would be gratefully received. Please contact Ray
Burns, Kath Fry or Alison Hammonds
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
GET READY
TO EIERVS
We welcomed ambassadors from
the Royal Agricultural College into
school to work with Year 10 on
preparing for examinations.
A two lesson session on revising effectively
was delivered in a fun and interactive
manner – using cards, iPads, games and even
modelling clay!! All students were challenged
to put together the best revision plan in
the world.
Answer: eiervs is revise
IT AT UNI
In January, thirty Year 11
BTEC IT students visited the
University of Gloucestershire
for a taster day.
The trip to the University of
Gloucestershire was beneficial to
anyone who has hopes of following
an IT career in the future. The chance
to play around with 3D software was
very useful. We were told about IT job
opportunities in business, and possibly
even teaching, which was a great insight
into wages, hours and the qualifications
needed. We also had a tour around the
campus which was a further insight into
university life and made the University
of Gloucestershire a possible option for
further education.
Hugh Spring - DCE
Year 11
SPORT AT UNI
Twenty five Year 10 students
visited the University of
Gloucestershire for a BTEC
PE taster day in January.
When we arrived at the University
of Gloucestershire, we started by
completing sheets that told us about
different types of fitness factors
which are needed to endure types
of sports. We then completed a tour
of the University where we were
able to see a group of students from
another school
taking part in an
exercise session.
We were soon
able to do the
same exercises
in the sports hall.
We learnt about
ASQ which means
Agility, Speed and
Quickness.
We then jumped
over a few hurdles and then went
on to running through ladders to
test our own ASQ. After lunch we
were able to see a different sports
hall and then we took part in
another fitness test which included
the grip test and a reaction test
which measured our fitness levels.
I felt it was a valuable experience,
giving an insight into fitness testing,
sports courses and university life.
Molly Yeomans - FKS
Year 10
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
AIMHIGHER
Year 9 students took
part in a University of
Gloucestershire Roadshow
at Cheltenham campus
before half term.
It was a day in which we could look
ahead into the future and to see if
university would be an option.
We spent most of the day there and
learnt many things. We were taken
on a guided tour of the campus
where we were able to see what
the university had to offer us.
On the way round we learnt many
things about what life at university
is really like.
Near the end of the day we took
part in two different activities.
One was a team game to win
chocolates. The point was to think
of what jobs go into making a box of
chocolates. We had to say whether
you would have to go to university
to do the job. After this we took part
in an activity where we had to plan a
typical week at university. It was good
fun but also showed exactly what
you could be doing at university.
I learnt a lot from this day and I
know that the others did as well.
Everyone who went on this trip
enjoyed it and got an understanding
of what the future may hold.
Thank you to the University of
Gloucestershire who invited us
and thanks to the teachers who
accompanied us on the trip!
Nathan Marks – FKS
Year 9
Poetry Live at Colston Hall
Thirty of Year 11 went on a
poetry trip to Bristol Colston
Hall to hear six of the best poets
writing in England at the moment.
I personally went to raise my English
grade but during the event I actually
found I really enjoyed it.
The best two poets in my opinion
had to be both Simon Armitage and
John Agard. These two poets used
a lot of comedy between poems
and some even during them. I liked
Simon not only because his poems
were good but also because I could
not only relate to them but also him
as well. And John Argard used the
technique of getting the audience
involved with his poems, with one
specifically called “Put the kettle on”
which he made us repeat line after
line like a chant.
I would seriously recommend this
trip to all next year as it not only can
help improve your English grade, it is
also a fun day.
Jack King - DHH
Year 11
Canine
Partners
n December, Year 11 ASDAN students held
Ia non-uniform day in aid of Canine Partners.
They are a charity who provide specially
trained dogs to assist disabled people.
The students also held a cake sale to raise
funds. In total the students raised £451.25
and Higgins was welcomed into school to be
presented with the proceeds!
think that Poetry
I Live was an
extremely beneficial
trip. It was useful as
we got to hear the
poets themselves
perform their pieces
the way they were
originally meant to be read. We also
had a great insight into the poets’
reasoning for writing the poems
and how they were supposed to
be interpreted. It was extremely
enjoyable and the two final poets,
John Agard and Simon Armitage,
were particularly good and were
entertaining thanks to their sense
of humour. Poetry Live is also a
great way to remember the poems
because you begin to relate the
poem because of how it was read
on the day.
I think next year, if the Year 10s are
offered a chance to go to this event,
they should take it. It is extremely
beneficial and will help them through
their English Literature GCSE.
Hugh Spring - DCE
Year 11
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
Maidenhill
Moving Forward
Refurbished!
We are delighted that Kier
Construction, who built the
new sports hall, has been appointed
as the contractor for our next
project. The £3.8 million building
project will consist of replacing the
windows, re-cladding and re-roofing
the main building, as well as the
remodelling of some classrooms
Image provided courtesy of architectural practice, ADP LLP
and replacement of the boilers and
heating system. All of which will
significantly improve the learning
environment for our students.
The first project team meeting was
held on 24th February to discuss
pre-design investigations and the
overall construction programme,
with work likely to start in July 2012.
Minibus Magic
The photo shows the grand
opening and ribbon cutting of our
refurbished toilets.
LIBRARY
CHANGES
Maidenhill has just taken out a 5 year contract hire with PHVC to
take delivery of a brand new minibus to replace our old model.
The white Ford Transit 2.4TDCi is a 17 seat minibus with air conditioning.
It is decorated with the school livery and will be heavily used for sports
fixtures and school visits.
Students and staff have recently
completed a survey about library
use and their vision for the future of
this resource. A change in location
is planned so that the library moves
to a central, more accessible position
in school. Students and staff will be
involved in making planning decisions
for the new library, another aspect of
Maidenhill moving forward!
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
Chris Neale
Chris Neale, Year 8, was selected
to be a mascot for Gloucester
Rugby when they played against the
Saracens. He writes ‘I had to go and
get changed into a full Gloucester
Rugby replica shirt, shorts and socks.
Next we went up to the 1873
club and had free access. We then
had a drink and enjoyed views of
Gloucester at night. Then I looked
up into the huge new TV screens
and there was a picture of me!
Then on the loudspeaker they read
out my name in front of thousands
of people.
I ran onto the pitch with
Gloucester’s captain, Luke Narraway.
The crowd went mad it was like an
earthquake! The ground was shaking.
I really enjoyed it and I would love
to do it again. Sky covered the
match and I was on TV.’
Artist in Residence
group of talented Year 9s
A worked with Stroud based
ceramic artist Julie Fowler on the
‘Unearthed’ project.
The project has involved groups
of artists from across the county
in producing parts for a large
scale sculpture of fossil forms in
clay. Maidenhill students modelled
porcelain sea urchins and made
casts of sea creatures. The finished
work will be displayed at a variety
of venues, including Stroud Museum
in the Park and in Dorset on
the Jurassic coast as part of the
Olympic art trail.
Mrs R.Finch
Leader of Art & Design
Billy Shilton
I
’ve been playing table tennis since the age of 9 when I
started practising with my Dad, here at Maidenhill’s sports
centre. Following on from there I went to coaching sessions once a week at
Marling School for a couple of years. I progressed to playing in the Stroud
Junior league which meant I played at Marling every week against different
schools. I went to a tournament at Deer Park school when I was 11 and I
managed to play well enough to get into the final, where I came 2nd. From
there I took part in regional coaching in Oxford.
I entered another tournament at Deer Park school where I was spotted by
an English coach. He watched me play and then he spoke to my Dad.
The coach wanted me to help represent the South West Schools in London
in May this year. This will take place over 3 days, with two days of competing
against teams from other regions. If our team get to the final we could play
at the Olympic Velodrome on the third day. When I’m in London I have to
stay with my team in our own hotel with all family and friends having to stay
in another hotel and they only get to see us when we play!
I’m anxious about taking part but at the same time I’m really excited.
Billy Shilton – DKB
Year 8
Lance Rennolds
In November
last year I
completed a
six week trial
at Cheltenham
Town Football
Club. I was
spotted by a
football scout
whilst playing
for my regular team, Kings Stanley
under 15 football team. The club rang
me and asked if I would like to go
along to their training ground and
BLOOD BROTHERS
Blood Brothers was showing at
Bristol Hippodrome Theatre.
When the production started there
was a lot of excitement in the
theatre and as soon as the first
song finished and the performance
kicked in there was a lot of laughter,
especially when they were playing
cowboys. In the second part of the
performance, there were a couple of
gun shots that went off unexpectedly.
I personally thought they were
pretending to play cowboys again but
no, they actually went out and killed
complete a six week trial.
I was accepted as part of their under
15 team after the six weeks and the
Head of Youth team manager offered
me a two year contract. I accepted
which means training three times a
week plus games. Within a month
of being there I was asked to play
permanently for the under 16 team.
The plan for the future is to either
get a scholarship with Cheltenham
Town or maybe consider another
professional academy.
I’m really excited about what my
future could bring!
Lance Rennolds - DLC
Year 10
some one and the gun made a loud
BANG! There was a flash. One of the
brothers got sent down for murder
and when he came back out he was
a bit lost and confused. The two
blood brothers both end up being
shot dead by two police officers.
It was a good trip as it made the
whole theatre laugh in parts and in
some it made you jump right out of
your skin.
Joshua Jones – RES
Year 10
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MAIDENHILL NEWS: SPRING 2012
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
TERM 5
Mon 16th April Start of Term 5
Tues 17th April Live Courses for Y10 start at Stroud College
5.30-7.30pm Building Project Consultation
Fri 20th April Live Courses for Y11 start at Stroud College
Wed 2nd to
Fri 4th May Y10 Geography Field Trip
Wed 9th May 4.30pm – 7pm Y8 Parents’ Evening
Fri 11th May 2pm Y11 LIVE Certificate Presentation at Stroud College
Tues 29th May Live Courses for Y10 finish at Stroud College for half term
Fri 1st June Finish Date for Y11 LIVE at Stroud College
Fri 1st June End of Term 5
TERM 6
Mon 11th June Start of Term 6
Tues 12th June Live Courses for Y10 start at Stroud College
Fri 15th June 9.30am – 12.30pm Y9 LIVE Tasters at Stroud College
Tues 26th June 6pm LIVE New Parents’ Evening at Stroud College
Tues 26th June Y10 Catering Event for Rotary
Wed 27th June Y10 Triple Science visit to London
Thurs 28th June Y10 Post 16 Taster Day
Thurs 28th June Y11 Prom
Fri 29th June Y10 Education Business Partnership Interviews
Mon 2nd July Proposed Timetable change
Tues 3rd July Finish Date for Y10 LIVE at Stroud College
Thurs 5th July 7pm Summer Concert
Fri 6th July Y6 Discovery Day
Mon 9th July 7pm Y6 Parents’ Evening
Thurs 19th July End of Term
The fabulous Sports & Dance Centre at Maidenhill School has just celebrated its
first birthday. The facilities are run in the evenings and on a Sunday by Stroud
District Council for use by the community.
The new four court sports hall, gym and dance studio offer a lovely environment
to keep fit, socialise and hone your skills. Memberships are available with no tie
in periods, or for even less commitment, you can pay as you go.
Come and have a look around and chat with staff; we’re sure you won’t be
disappointed!
Or call 01453 824366
during opening times
STOP PRESS: Revision guides for many subjects still
available for purchase from the School Shop.
New in: Calculator and writing sets tailor made for exams.
School ties available £4
Maidenhill Friends
his year has been marked by a large
Tamount of activity and we
ran a number of successful events;
• Bingo Night
• Refreshments for “Arabian
Nights” production
• Street Stall at the “Goodwill Fest”
• Grand Xmas Raffle and
Refreshments for the
Christmas Concert
• Refreshments for ‘You’ve
gotta have COOL’
Having raised well over £400 at these
events, we have offered funding to
the catering department towards the
purchase of new equipment, namely
cake decorating turntables and new hand
whisks.
We very much appreciate all the help and
support we receive from parents and staff,
so do not hesitate to contact the school
or a committee member if you feel you
have any ideas, comments or time to give.
Get involved if you can – it’s good fun and
really rewarding!
I look forward to seeing you all.
Paula Trevenna
Chair, Maidenhill Friends
SCHOOL SHOP
The shop is open daily from 8.30-
9.05 a.m. and during breaktime
in the main corridor opposite the
finance office.
We can supply all your stationery
needs for school from only 10p
for a pen to a full pencil case for
£1.30. We supply calculators for £5,
geometry sets for £1.40 and also
revision guides.
If you need to hand in trip money,
music money or need tickets to
shows, this is the place.
Mrs A Papps
Maidenhill School, Kings Road, Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, GL10 2HA Tel: 01453 822469 / 824776
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