Midhurst Rother College Newsletter Issue 12

Training Nemo
More please!
Your life...you choose
Left: Y8s Peter Thomas, Flora Shaw, Alex Harris, William
Keohane, Sarah Kane, Molly Buxton and Joe Casebow
Above: Nemo !
This has to be seen to be
believed!
contd/3
The cast, crew and orchestra were overwhelmed by the audience reaction to their
production of Oliver! Having worked so hard over recent months they were all thrilled
with the plaudits received for their performances. contd/4
Bob Barden, Frances Amos, Diane Willson, Sue Burroughs, Jan Hobson, Brenda Henson, John Ashmore, PC Chris Finch, Aimee Battmann-Esswood,
David Longmore, Pam Wells, Maureen O` Brien, Alan Price - Students Georgia Pearce, Alice Buchanan, David Puttock, Sam Marsh, Luke Dunstan
Midhurst Rother College held it’s very first Your life, You choose day when Year 8 students
experienced new workshops looking at the consequences of making good and bad decisions as
they move into adult life. The workshops included Restorative Justice, being a Magistrate, Youth
Offending Services, prison life, the Police Force and Victim Support.
contd/2
free to achieve, belong and contribute
Newsletter
February 2011
Issue No 12
Partnership News
In January, twenty eight Year 10 students had
the opportunity to learn what it is like to be a
university student and more about the courses
they may wish to study, by interviewing
current undergraduates on their educational
pathway. In early February all of Year 7 also
visited the University to participate in the Star
Student Scheme, which is aimed at raising
understanding and aspirations for higher
education. Both events link with the AimHigher
programme here at MRC.
More recently Subject Leader of Photography,
Mr Nour-Eddine El-Ghoumari visited
Winchester to discuss a student exchange
programme and joint exhibition—more of this
soon.
Mock Results Day
When the envelopes
were opened on 27
January it was hard to
believe that it wasn't the
real deal with Year 11
students openly
expressing their feelings
about their results. The
second year this has
taken place, the exercise
has proved to be a very
valuable experience and
Liam Andrews and Tom Carr
has encouraged
individuals to improve upon their grades.
Everyone is a genius at
least once a year. The real
geniuses simply have
their bright ideas closer
together.
Georg Christoph Lichtenburg - 18th
century, German scientist, satirist and
Anglophile

Your life, You choose...contd/
All together now...
More than 230 pupils from the Rother Valley came together at Midhurst Rother College
to join the Big Sing. This exciting session was full of energy with everyone
taking part in fun songs, popular songs, singing games, harmony practise
and going for the high notes! Even those who claimed not to enjoy
singing couldn’t help but give the funny sounds and even funnier faces a
try to create a beat boxing version of We Will Rock You. The Big Sing was
lead by Emily Barden WSCC Curriculum Leader for Voices and Choirs,
assisted by our Year 8 students.
Part of the equation...
Focusing on the future
The students agreed it was a fascinating day and that they learned a great deal,
especially about how hard prison life is! Mr Collins, Co-ordinator of Key Stage 3
said, “ I don’t think we have had a better day in terms of student engagement
and enjoyment than Your life, You choose. The feedback was excellent and all
participants picked up useful advice from our guest speakers. Having 20 guests
in College on one day meant we were very busy, but it was worthwhile and I
would like to thank everyone, students, staff and visitors alike for making it
such a fantastic occasion.”
Year 8s experience role play in a court room assisted by real life magistrates!
World Maths Day takes place on Tuesday 1 March – KS3 students will be participating during Maths lessons by playing online mental methods games
against students from around the world. Last year, students from MRC were among the 2,403,526 participants, from 236 countries, correctly
answering 479,732,613 questions. Due to this amazing total a new Guinness World Record was set. What an achievement, but on 1 March MRC will
be contributing to the new attempt to beat this fantastic result.
Ms Terry Kelly guiding Year 9s Sam Cain and Ryan To through some research
The learning strands which Ms Terry Kelly oversees at
MRC, as Assistant Principal– Business in Enterprise, all
focus on students building knowledge and expertise which
will give them the confidence and competencies to explore career paths of their choice
and achieve their professional goals. She is very pleased at how students are
responding to the new developments being introduced by her team.
“The work experience programme is going well with many very valuable summer
placements already secured for our Year 10 students. The new Careers Education
Advice and Guidance (CEIAG) notice boards are now on display throughout the college,
offering a wide range of information, including details of resources which will guide
students through their research into different professions.”
Following the success of Years 9 and 10 enterprise days, a similar event will take place
for Year 8s in early March. Both students and staff are particularly fired up about the
business model to be worked on; the day will be spent costing, marketing and selling
cup cakes!
“We are extremely fortunate to have the support of one of Midhurst’s foremost
catering companies, Jacaranda, whose team will be on hand to advise on all aspects of the catering business. The students will sell their cakes during
lunchtime and the tutor group that makes the most profit will win the task. All proceeds from the sale will go to one of the students’ chosen charities,
Midhurst based, Dreams Come True.
“Other news,” says Ms Kelly, “includes the 6th Formers, who were successful in our Dragons’ Den competition, are working very hard to develop their
bath bomb business, Transcendancy. They are not only preparing for the national Young Enterprise Award, but also to diversify into another market.
Meanwhile, we have just got the timetable through for our winning, Year 9 Young Apprentice, Lisa Taylor, who will spend a day at Rolls Royce, which is
the envy of us all.“
The Transcendancy Board of Directors is made up of:
Managing Director: Liam Fox - Company Secretary/Finance Director: Rueben Lee
Operations Director: Hannah Grant - HR Director: Sian Budd - Sales Director: Abigail Chard
Marketing Director: Nicholas Gove - IT Director: Mitchell Hall
If you would like more information about Transcendancy and how to purchase their products please visit the website
http://mrcenterprise.yolasite.com
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MRC NEWSLETTER February 2011-ISSUE 12

A valuable lesson in reporting
Young researchers
Leading from the front
Pictured right are the Sports
Representatives for each KS3 Tutor Group. This team
has been chosen to be the student voice when it comes
to the mix of College sporting events, how they are run
and making sure that staff in the PE Department are
kept on their toes and deliver exciting programmes for
everyone each term.
Midhurst Rother College was treated to a guest appearance from a former pupil, the successful
journalist and author, Precious Williams. Ms Williams gave an assembly to the 6th Form retelling her
own past in Midhurst and the choices she had made in her life journey. She spoke to an A-level
English Literature class concerning the crafting of language and linguistic decisions she makes on a
daily basis as a writer. Ms Williams also had the opportunity to watch some Year 10 students deliver
speeches in their English lesson led by Ms Lorissa Sinasac; part of the new GCSE English Language
course that Midhurst Rother College offers. While talking with students she commented, “This focus
on spoken language is so good. Teaching has changed a lot since I was a pupil here.”
Year 10 students Harry Griffiths and Harry Stewart with Assistant
Principal, Mr Phil Lloyd and Ms Precious Williams
Mr Jonathan Hunter, Leader of AimHigher and G&T programmes, took great pleasure in accompanying
four students to the Warwick University Young Researchers event and was very proud of their
achievements. Reports Mr Hunter...
The students worked in groups on different activities all aimed at providing a better understanding of
Human Rights. Throughout the day each group of students was supported by those from the university’s
Young Mentor scheme. The early morning icebreaker was won by our own Emily which set the trend for
the day. Topics covered included the oil situation in Nigeria and the work of Amnesty International in that
area, Sterilisation of Drug Users and Open Border Control. Debating teams were formed and when in
action our students, led by Styn, impressed the facilitators “... with their intelligent argument and mature
debating skills.” In fact comment was made that arguments and points raised by our students were of
degree standard.
3
Our team of Community Sports Leaders is made up of 6th Formers
who are training to become sports coaches, working both in College
and in our community. Chosen by the students as an enrichment
activity, the course runs for a year. Training consists of running and
organising tournaments and competitions, particularly for our
Rother Valley Primary Schools. Pictured left is one such occasion, a
recent Tag Rugby Tournament, held at Cowdray Ruins.
6th Form CSLA candidates: (rear) Chris Bower, Tom Sprinks, Tom Gumbrell,
Adam Knight, Rob Hiller (front) Nathan Smith, Ryan Lewis, George Turrill,
Lauren Gilson, Olivia Chard
Sports Representative—KS3 - (rear) Chloe Dowdell, Elizabeth Campion, Rebecca Nicholson, Jessica Alston, Fraser Coombes, Sam Cain, Jordan Warren, Matthew Hayes, Rhys Greet, Megan Eade,
(middle) Miles Lunt, Elissa Mansley, Olivia Reed, Megan Clee, Joshua McLelland, Lucy Davies, Ethan Pope, Viki Banbury, Abbie Smith, (front) Taylor Bush, Jacob Peachey, Paige Whittington,
Jasmin Cain, Meghan Scott, Harry Wadey, Sam Marsh, Connor Reid, Lewis Pake, Eleanor Godsman, Lucy Paice, Michael Coles
Training Nemo
MRC NEWSLETTER February 2011-ISSUE 12
James Hills (Y9), Emily Collins-Wingate (Y10), Styn Oomen
(Y9), Catriona Gibbon (Y10)
This is NEMO - so named by Year 8 students, to help them take part in the ULT Science
Challenge 2011 to train a goldfish. By 11 March Nemo has to be able to perform one or more
of the following tricks: Play football Limbo dance Play basketball Slalom. Training
sessions are being held daily, at morning break, lunchtime and after school in Lab 6 at
Easebourne Site. Students have to keep a video log of the training and present the film at the
ULT Challenge Final at Swindon Academy on 15 March. The only set-back so far is that Science
Technician and animal expert, Mrs Heidi Jenkins, has had to insist he goes on a diet as she says
he is too fat! And if you believe this is an impossible task search fish training on YouTube!

More please!contd/...
Picture captions: Top (l-r)—Mr Brimacombe and our orchestra, Alexandra Raines, Tanya Wilson, Jonathan Mitchell, Lucy Skinner,
Caroline Miller, Martyn Raison, Tom Groves, (also Alice Hatch and Alaistair Gibson not in the picture)
Matthew Wadey as Oliver, ‘Nancy and Bill’ present gifts to Director Mrs Amy Hurst and Musical Director, Mr Brimacombe, Charlie
Clee as Bill Sykes, Artful Dodger, Nancy, Fagin, Oliver and Bet in rehearsals Bottom (l-r) Emily Collins-Wingate who played Widow
Corney and Flower Seller, Fagin in action and when he drew a gasp from the audience as he revealed his sinister hairstyle, which
was especially crafted by MRC’s hush salon students and staff
The strength of the cast rested with the characters of Fagin, (Ryan Moss) Bill Sykes (Charlie Clee) and Nancy (Anais
Pontet-Matthews) along with Oliver (Matt Wadey) and Artful Dodger (Ted Murray) who, as Year 7 and 8 students,
were among two of the youngest cast members. Audiences were treated on all three evenings with a strong stage presence, songs that
melted your heart and music from the orchestra tying the production together superbly.
Mr Brimacombe, Curriculum Leader for Creative and Media and Mrs A Hurst, Subject Leader of Drama worked tirelessly with the cast,
crew and orchestra to prepare for opening night. One member of the audience said she was particularly mesmerised by the solos,
“The strength, passion and stage presence of the cast members transported us all to the Dickensian setting. Having numerous scenes
played on the main hall floor made me feel like I was part of the performance.”
Another singled out particular members of the cast, “The talents of the main cast members were
unquestionable, but I think special plaudits should go to Emily Collins-Wingate whose rendition of Who Will
Buy...as the flower seller, was excellent, and the chorus line, all of whom blew me away. They worked very
well together; their musicality was uplifting throughout, presenting a true sense of occasion, akin to a West
End production.”
Alongside cast and orchestra, student and staff credits included stage/lighting/sound management and the
actual logo design by Year 11 student, Archie Challen. The make-up, created by MRC’s hush salon, at one
stage caused a sharp intake of breath from the audience as Fagin removed his hat to reveal his sinister appearance and very realistic,
character hairstyle.
Homework Hub ... here to help
Murder most foul
The new level of homework that is introduced to Year 7 students when they join us can come as a bit
of surprise to some. Identifying this, Pastoral Leader, Mrs Knight, opened up daily lunchtime sessions
on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for those who feel they need some support in completing work,
and the opportunity to talk aspects of set tasks over with their peers and staff. Although the sessions
are basically informal, during which students can have lunch, it is considered a time for study and is
treated as such by the many who have chosen to take advantage of Mrs Knight’s excellent idea.
Twenty Year 5 young scientists from our Rother Valley Primary Schools visited Midhurst
Rother College for a Science and Collaborative Learning Day focussed on forensics. MRC
Science Teacher, Mrs Skelt, led the day when participants learned about team working to
complete tasks that individuals would not be able to do on their own. Students were
introduced to a murder scene, asked to collect evidence, draw sketches, make notes and
were then asked to make general deductions from the initial evidence. Our young guests
were supported by seven of our Year 9 able scientists. The experiments included blood,
hair and fibre analysis, flame testing, sulphate, carbonate and chloride tests,
chromatography and fingerprinting.
4
MRC NEWSLETTER February 2011-ISSUE 12
Year 9 scientist, Frankie Wakefield-Harrey, supporting our Rother
Valley primary visitors as they reach their conclusions

Keeping you
in the picture
Visuals showing the daily progress of our
new building can be viewed online at
www.mrc-academy.org/our-new-building
Principal
We have reached the mid-point of the 2010-11 academic
year. Whilst it is, once again, a moment for reflection, it is
an appropriate time to explain how things continue to
change for the better at Midhurst Rother College.
A big change that has take place this year is a much more
structured approach to supporting students who are taking
their examinations this summer. Part of this was the
decision to take GCSE English early this year. It was a bold
act on Mr Lloyd’s part to decide on this, more so given that
he only came into post as Assistant Principal for English last
September! However, this decision has paid off handsomely
and 82 Year 11 students now have an A*-C in this vital
subject. A similar strategy has already been operating for
GCSE Maths (with two out of the three modules already
taken by students). A large majority of these Year 11 students have marks which are
the equivalent of an A*-C pass. GCSE Maths students only have one section of the
examination to complete after the Whitsun holiday. After the
February half term break we have our second set of GCSE mock
examinations in English, Maths and Science, which will give Year
11s greater confidence in examination conditions. In addition to
these strategies, all subject areas are running support sessions over and above
timetabled lessons (at the end of the College day, on Saturday mornings, or during
the February, Easter or Whitsun half term holidays). Information about the support
that is available can be found on the College website.
As many parents will have seen, the College building programme is now well
underway. We received final and complete planning approval on 11 January, our new
access road is complete, the proposed building site has hoardings all the way round it
and demolition work is now being carried out on River Site. We are hopefully moving
into a period of better weather and this should aid the ambitious timeline that
Balfour Beatty have set for entry to our new building in the summer of 2012. As yet,
there have been no significant delays to place this date in question. I will continue to
keep you informed of developments as we move through this important and exciting
project.
Finally, I want to share with parents the quiet but important changes that have been
taking place in our Sixth Form. The Director of Key Stage 5 is one of our assistant
principals, Miss Jen Weeks. Along with the invaluable help of the Sixth Form Pastoral
Leader, Mrs Jayne Beesley, and an experienced team of form tutors, they have been
re-shaping the ethos of this important part of the College. A number of things have
contributed to this. Firstly, because we believe we know our Sixth Formers well, we
are better focused on supporting them than larger post-16 providers. This more
personal approach is a key ingredient of what we want ‘the MRC Experience’ to be.
Secondly, we have instituted timetabled study periods for Sixth Formers which means
that there is an expectation they study in College. Thirdly, there has been a drive to
improve Sixth Form attendance. This has paid dividends and resulted in a significant
improvement in attendance. We are still working to make the Sixth Form experience
an excellent one at Midhurst Rother College and we value the close working
relationship that we have with students and their families to help us towards this
goal. I believe the quality of this working relationship might also be a contributory
factor to the increased number of applications we have received for entry to the Sixth
Form in September 2011.
Finally, I hope all students and their families manage to find time to be together over
the half term and enjoy each other’s company. I also hope that students take the
chance to catch up with homework and to get stuck into a revision programme that
will see them being successful in this
summer’s public examinations!
5
MRC NEWSLETTER February 2011-ISSUE 12

Bon Voyage
Rear -Zac Simmonds, Jack Benham, Matt Coady, Sam Beesley, Ashley Baker, Lou Simac, Katie Moore, Kieran
Harrington, Jen Welsman, Sasha Frankham, Rebecca Romanowicz, Mr Simon Taplin (CDT Technician)
Front- Mr Thompson (Director of Learning/Behaviour, PE teacher/Ski party leader), Joe Cooke, Olly Denis,
Joe Harris, Liv Winther, Molly Jones, Lilly Dunning, Millie Bryder, Matt Hayes, Mrs Heide Evans
to...our fellow students and staff as they leave to ski in Boston, USA over half term
Congratulations
to...Students from Year 10 who took part in and won a recent Cambridge
University Challenge Day. This involved a poetry workshop and maths
challenge, presentations by University Staff, interactive sessions and
information regarding University applications. They also got to tour Cambridge
itself. Well done to Morgan Butt, Harry Griffiths, Catriona Gibbon, Joe Furness,
Tom Hollands, Lottie Adams, Simon Dennis, Christian Styles, Luke Collins and
Emily Collins-Wingate.
to...Year 11 Alex King who recently came third in an international fishing
contest in which there were over 70 competitors.
Water, water everywhere...please
Joseph Cook, Clara Haidon, Millicent Kelley,
Olivia Winther, Ashley Baker with Mr Hextall
Uni-Recycle
Year 10 Geography Students were
pleased to welcome Mr Ian Hextall,
a representative from one of our
chosen charities, WaterAid. He
explained the charity’s philosophy
and talked about its project plans
around the world.
The average spend on uniform and sports
kits over the 11 years a child is at school
is £5,203. However, only 39% of us
consider the environmental impact of
throwing clothes away, with only 16% of
discarded clothes being recycled or reused.
We realise that our students grow out of their uniforms,
and we can now make great use of them in our,
Uni-Recycle. It means they can be made available to
students who forget essential kit or whose clothing is
spoiled for some reason during the college day.
If you have any outgrown Midhurst Rother College uniform which is
no longer of use please send it in to us via our College receptions.
Thank you.
Moodle is the virtual learning
environment for Midhurst Rother
College, accessible through the Internet.
It enhances all learning and presents a
platform for revision, review, research and homework.. If you would like to
learn more about Moodle or have any questions at all about how the system
works then please contact Mrs Welsman through her email address:-
gillian.welsman@mrc-academy.org
Mrs Welsman also attends year group open evenings where she is happy to
address any concerns students or parents may have, will take you on a ‘tour
of the site’ and provide literature to help you at home.
Remember Moodle can be accessed either through the Parents and Students
tab on our website or direct through this link
https://vle.mrc-academy.org/
Our Calendar
MRC NEWSLETTER February 2011-ISSUE 12
FEBRUARY
21-25 Half Term Break
MARCH
1 Yr 8 Parents’ & Carers’ Consultation Evening - Easebourne Site - 5.30pm
1 World Maths Day - KS3
1 Y11 Maths Modular retakes
2 Y11 Science Modular retakes
2 Y6 Rother Valley Schools Day
3 KS3 Rugby Tournament
3-4 MRC Local Governing Body Meeting at Dunford House, Midhurst
7 Y10 Geography GCSE Fieldwork trip this week
8 Y8 Enterprise Day—Easebourne Site
9 Y5 G&T English Day “Crime Writing”
10 Yrs 7&8 Cross Country Run
10 Yrs 10&12 Parents’ & Carers’Consultation Evening—Midhurst Site—5.30pm
11 Big Gig - Memorial Hall 7-9pm
11-18 National Science and Engineering Week – various events in college
14 Y11 Core Mock Exams and ALAN testing
15 Y8 ULT Science Challenge Final at Swindon Academy—Goldfish Training !
16 Spelling Bee Heat Chichester Cineworld
17 Gilbert Hannam Prizing Giving Day
18 InSeT
24 Languages Evening
25 RVS Orchestra Day for primaries—Memorial Hall
28 Yr12 fieldwork week
30 Y7 Singing Competition
APRIL
1-3 Yrs 11-13 Practise trek for Cambodia/Vietnam trip— East Dean
4-8 Charity Week
6 A Level Literature Group - Strawberry Hill
6 Spring Concert, Memorial Hall- 7-9.30 pm
8 College closes for Spring Break
26 College re-opens following Spring Break
27-28 Y7 Arundel Trip
28 UK Junior Maths Challenge
29 Public Holiday—Wedding of Prince William & Miss Kate Middleton
MAY
2 Bank Holiday
3 InSeT Day
6 Y5 Fun Maths Roadshow
7 SHINE (Saturday School) Winchester College
7 Sustainability Day - Midhurst Site - 10-2pm
11 Yrs 9&10 Senior Mountbatten sports fixture
16 Yrs11, 12 and 13 Exams begin
21 SHINE (Saturday School) Winchester College
27 Y11 Last Day
27 Y13 Study Leave/Lunch
30-3 June Half Term Break
JUNE
6 College re-opens following Half Term Break
Please note that Examinations Timetables
can be found in the Parent/Student area
on our website
www.mrc-academy.org/
Absence
In the event of a student absence
please use our dedicated
Absence Telephone Line
01730 812451
Hot stone treatments and Indian
Head Massages now available...and
don’t forget that hush
Salon gift vouchers are
available throughout the year.