This week has certainly been like no other at Kingshill. The Y7s have had an absolute blast on their residential, I’m not sure who has returned more tired, the staff or the students! We have also had the ‘I Can & I Am’ bus on site for our Y7 and Y8 students. Our Y9 buddies have begun their important transition work with our Open Mornings and Kingshill Ready Day for the Y6 students. Y10s have enjoyed learning more about themselves and their personal character traits through their employability day. On top of all of that, I’ve heard the adrenaline fuelled stories from the Y8 and Y9 tales from the theme parks on Wednesday. Thank goodness for a return to normal next week!
Open Mornings
Mrs Christopher has always said that our students are our best assets and indeed, they have shone brightly this week. From the fabulous Matilda cast welcoming the parents and children into our school, our superb Student Senior Leader team articulating the STEPs in the main presentation, our amazing newly appointed Y9 buddies leading the tours and answering a whole range of questions to finally, our students in lessons working and thinking hard, demonstrating how life at Kingshill is on a daily basis. Who wouldn’t want to join our school?
Student Leadership Group
Following the final stages of a gruelling process, and much deliberation, we were delighted to announce our Student Leadership Group for 2024-25 earlier this week. This will be led by Bella and Matt as Head Students, supported by Jasper and Faye as their Deputies. Such was the calibre of the other candidates that we have also created additional leadership roles with a power-house of a team also elected in the role of Senior Students. This is comprised of Freya, Josh, Millie, Helen, Abi, Flo, Rowen and Amelia. Each of these young people have already made a huge impression on us and we are really looking forward to seeing them develop increased responsibility and influence throughout the year ahead!
Y8 Drayton Manor
For activities day we took 135 Year 8 students to Drayton Manor. We drove up in poor weather conditions but were fortunate to have a dry, yet windy day, whilst in the park. Students enjoyed going round the park in their social groups and the thrill of the rides. There were quite a few large stuffed toys that were won on the basketball hoops; it was a good job we had spare seats on the coaches! Students were well behaved throughout the day and demonstrated respect and kindness to staff and other schools whilst queueing for rides. A great day out and thanks to all the staff that supported the trip and enabled it to take place.
Employability Day
It has been a pleasure to have seen our Y10 students return to school this week with so many reflections on their work experience placements. To build on the impact of this week for them, Mrs Hicks and I led an Employability Day on Wednesday which was designed to encourage them to start reflecting on their personal skills, qualities and attributes and to begin exploring how these can help to inform their planning for life beyond school. During this day, they heard the reflections of some of our Kingshill Alumni, all at different stages of their own lives, and were encouraged to start considering the factors that may influence their decisions around the choices they make for progression after they leave Kingshill next summer. Students also completed some online surveys which helped them to learn more about their individual characteristics and the sorts of job roles that they may be well suited to! If you are the parent or carer of a Year 10 student and don’t know which animal profile they match to, please ask them to share with you - and better still, ask them to show you the Buzz Quiz by clicking here.
Y9 Alton Towers
On Wednesday 3rd July the Year 9 team headed off to Alton Towers. After a cold and wet start, we made good time and arrived just before the gates opened at 10am. This allowed students plenty of time to queue for their favourite rides, which included a number of rollercoasters: Nemesis, Wicker man and Rita! The staff and the girls in 9E/9F certainly enjoyed the calmer rapids but a good day was had by all. Amazing behaviour and attitude as always and a very enjoyable day.
Students in School on Activities Day
Students in school were treated to three activities in the form or Bake It, Make It and Play It. In Bake It, students made and decorated cupcakes, although you will have been lucky if any were brought home! In Make It, they made wooden bird feeders, a lovely present for family and friends and finally, in Play It, they got free time to explore a range of sports they might not normally have the chance to experience.
I Can and I Am – Bus Visit
This week, we welcomed the I Can & I Am double decker bus back to Cirencester Kingshill for the whole week, with the intention of building our Year 7 and Year 8 students’ resilience and self-esteem. I Can & I Am is a charity which aims to “inspire confidence in every individual”.
The students had a fantastic time participating in the activities this important charity has to offer. On the lower deck of the bus the students took part in a baking session, making their own delicious pizzas together, whilst on the upper deck, small groups of wellbeing workshops were carried out, getting the students talking about their individual qualities and emotions. We were lucky enough to meet a number of their fantastic team who ran the sessions.
We are definitely looking forward to welcoming them back next year, with aim for more of our students to experience their brilliant work.
Below is a write-up from one of our Year 8 students reflecting on her time on The Bus.
“Would you believe if I told you that this bus makes you think differently, makes you connect with people and closer with your emotions? While on the bus, I had opened up to emotions that I didn’t know I had. For half an hour we talked about what makes different emotions happen in us. They helped me realise that not everything you think bad about yourself is true, it made me feel good about myself. It enabled the group we were in to become closer and connected and we all laughed, had fun, and forgot about everything negative that has happened and instead enjoyed chatting and laughing whilst making pizza. This was something I didn’t know I needed.”
Ellie-May 8B
Armed Forces
Kingshill wanted to show their Respect to the Armed Forces in celebration of Armed Forces Day. Having over 30 students in school that have a family connection to the Armed Forces it was important to them and to us as a school community that we celebrate the service their family gives. The cadets wore their uniforms with Pride to show the rest of the school the importance of the Armed Forces in all our lives.
Whitemoor Lakes
The students were all super excited on the bus as we headed up to Whitemoor lakes. Students had a great time singing songs and telling stories around the campfire! They also enjoyed taking part in all of the activities Whitemoore Lakes had to offer.
J’adore le français! me encanta el español! Ich liebe Deutsch!
On Monday June 24th a number of year 9 German, French and Spanish pupils went in two lessons over to Watermoor School to teach the pupils there from Reception class to year 6. Our pupils had spent two weeks before hand planning their lessons, structuring their delivery of what would be taught and making lots of resources. Some were hand drawn, but the majority used their IT skills to create their flashcards, bingo grids, word searches, quizzes and more. All the groups seemed to enjoy their time as teachers and some even asked if this was something that we could do more often. The 25-minute lessons were really wonderful and appreciated by the learners. - The MFL team
“I really enjoyed going to Watermoor Primary School, and teaching German to year 1. They engaged well with what I was teaching them. To start with, I gave them a matching activity where they had to match English and German animals together. For the main part of the lesson, I used my flashcards to show them what each animal was in German and English. I then said the words in German and they repeated them after me 3 times. I then gave them each a word search where they had to find the German words they had just leant. It was such a great experience that I hope to do it again in the future. The year ones listened and joined in well. German is such a good language and to be starting at a young age is amazing”.
Sophie, year 9
Cricket Team Victory
Congratulations to our U15 Boys Cricket team who beat both Thomas Keble and Farmors this week. Responsible bowling and fielding mixed with ambitious batting resulted in two comfortable victories! The Year 9s in the side look to complete their 3rd undefeated district season in a row when they play Deer Park next!
Girls Tennis Festival
Our U15 girls attended a District Tennis Festival at Chalford Tennis Club on Monday. It was a really lovely opportunity for them to play on the all-weather and synthetic clay courts. The girls played both singles and doubles matches and enjoyed being able to show off the skills they have been focusing on each week at Tennis Club after school with Mrs Squire.
Matilda
The show starts next week! Don’t miss out!! There’s only a few tickets left, so don’t forget to order them here. Don’t let this chance pass you by to celebrate all of the hard work of our Kingshill students and staff.
Closing Remarks
So, tonight we are donning our glad rags to join the Y11 students as they celebrate the end of their time here at Kingshill with their Leavers’ prom – we will share their memories with you in next week’s newsletter.
