Christmas Card Recycling
Our grateful thanks to all readers who contributed to the Local Authority Christmas Card Recycling. Once again the scheme was successful and raised valuable funds for the Leicestershire Woodland Trust.
Year 10 Annual Reviews
It was delightful to host the Year 10 Annual Reviews in March. It was the first review since transition of the students in September and amazing to learn of the progress made by the youngsters, Teachers, parents and outside agencies were thrilled by the outcomes. Well done to everyone involved.
The Long Road
The recent performance of The Long Road at the Curve was attended by students across the year groups. It was a gripping performance about a family coming to terms with the fatal stabbing of their son. We are pleased to have contributed to the success of the production in which a group of nine students’ voices were recorded and used with effect throughout the performance.
Wigston Federation of Schools Arts Festival
The Arts Festival hosted by the Wigston Federation of Schools is scheduled for Monday, 28th June – Friday, 9th July. It promises to be an extremely exciting programme of events across the Family of Schools.
The event commences on Monday, 28th June with a Proms on the Park with a Bond theme at South Wigston High School. It includes Abington’s production of Billy Elliott; Bushloe’s Print Exhibition and pupil mono prints sale; the combined schools Literacy Showcase and Dance Extended Services event; the traditional Guthlaxton College Bye Bye Blues concerts and many more. Please put the dates of the festival in your diary and wait in anticipation of an Arts Spectacular brought to you by the combined talents of the Wigston Arts Federation.
Watch this space!
Young Americans
The long awaited extravaganza involving the Young Americans took place on 12th – 14th March. It was a truly amazing weekend for everyone involved – the participants, the Catering and Premises teams at the College, the Duty team, the home stays, parents, families and friends and the Young Americans themselves.
It was an action packed three days of workshops in singing, dancing, performing, confidence building and making new friends.
We were joined by participants from across the East Midlands and as far away as Brentwood in Essex. Over 100 students joined the 45 strong American troop from California in a chance in lifetime opportunity. Our youngest participant was 8 from Tythorn Field Primary and our oldest was 20 something from Brooksby Melton. Everyone involved in the weekend had a fabulous time and the College was buzzing with a vibrant atmosphere.
The students were invited to comment upon the event. Here are some of the tributes:
“I loved this opportunity”… “thank you so much for making it happen for us all”… “I enjoyed the whole weekend from start to finish because it was a fantastic experience”… “what I wanted was for it to last forever”… “the weekend has had such and impact on me and I am considering changing my Sixth Form choices”… “it was literally amazing”… “it was brilliant”… “the weekend has changed my perspective on a lot of things…it was inspirational”… “I have learnt to take every opportunity and live every moment”… “it has made me realise how much I love dance and music”… “such a memory it will stay with me for the rest of my life.”
When asked what else could Guthlaxton offer ….there was a resounding ….“another Young Americans weekend.”
The tributes paid by the students say it all. As a College we were extremely privileged to welcome to Wigston the Young Americans. It has given the participants such an inspiring opportunity culminating in a wonderfully colourful and vibrant show.
We also recieved this letter from a happy parent.
Our thanks to everyone involved in making the weekend possible…staff, students, parents, home stays, our feeder High and Primary schools and not forgetting the Young Americans themselves.
Watch this space for next year’s sequel.
The Learning Curve
We continue to develop a strong working relationship with the Curve Theatre as we put together the 2010 Change School Programme for the College.
“One great idea that changed the world” led to a phenomenal response from teaching and associate staff. Ideas included the combustion engine, penicillin, the Olympics, Martin Luther, post its, the zip, contraception, the library, world wide web, hair straighteners, the microwave, the Final Solution and many more.
These ideas are being used to develop the programme for the Year 10 residency which is scheduled to take place at the Curve during the week commencing 19th April. This residency involves our students working with performers, animation artists and practitioners from across the East Midlands. The purpose of the learning activity is to investigate the premise of the independent learner a challenge presented by OfSTED (December 2009).
We are grateful to the Mighty Creative, Di Goldsmith and the Curve for allowing us to collaborate with practitioners in such an interesting and creative way.
LEBC Leicestershire Schools Fashion Show
We were delighted to be once again invited to participate in the LEBC Leicestershire Schools Fashion show at the Athena on Thursday 18th March.
It was a wonderful celebration of the creative talents of our Year 11 and 13 textile students and their teacher Mrs Jane Gill. Over 20 students took to the stage to demonstrate their hard work. Well done to everyone involved and our thanks to Jane Gill, Rachel Sawyer and Candice Matthews.
Bamboozle Residency
Following the huge success of the Bamboozle Theatre Company residency in November 2007 we are planning a further venture. The College has secured a grant to support a week long residency with Bamboozle to work in collaboration with Birkett House Special School and Guthlaxton BTEC students. It promises to be an exciting week where students will jointly enjoy a journey into the unknown. Our thanks to Lisa Robinson, colleagues at Birkett House and Bamboozle Theatre Company for sharing this venture.
Wigston Family of Schools Young Peoples Steering Group
On Thursday, 1st March it was wonderful to welcome to Guthlaxton College pupils from the Wigston Primary and High Schools who met to explore the idea of developing a Young Peoples Steering Group for Wigston. This is a great idea organised by Lisa Robinson and builds upon the outstanding Student Council Conference held at Leicester Race Course last October.
We look forward to learning about the activities of the Steering Group in future newsletters.
Year 9 Able & More Able Enhancement Programme
Since September a group of 20 Year 9 pupils have met on Wednesday evenings at the College to explore their love of discovering learning. They have been involved in Drama, Music, Media Technology, Electronics, Science, Geography, ICT and many more exploits. The highlight of the year will be a visit to Cambridge and one of its colleges in June. A great opportunity to saunter through the corridors of learning and to follow the footsteps of famous Cambridge graduates.
Our thanks to Mrs Thompson, Tracey Sharpe and the subject specialists at the College who have made this programme possible.
Artsmark
As we await the outcome of our recent Artsmark application (November 2009) we have received news of major changes of this flagship schools programme. The programme emerged in 2000 and I am proud that Guthlaxton has been an Artsmark Gold College throughout that period. Artsmark recognises and celebrates our tradition, commitment and passion for Arts education and we are one of 15% of schools in England recognised for this.
The Artsmark Kitemark has served the College as an excellent measure of our Arts provision within and beyond curriculum time as well as recognising the extensive partnerships we have with professional artists and practitioners. We are looking forward to the launch of Artsmark New Generation 2011 and will keep you informed of developments.
Our thanks to everyone past and present who have secured our success in gaining Artsmark recognition and our fingers remain crossed for a successful fourth award in June 2010.
High School Liaison 2010
Our thanks to colleagues at Abington, Bushloe and South Wigston High Schools, parents and Year 9 pupils for their hard work and commitment in ensuring that the 2010 liaison process has operated smoothly. The Information Evenings, Parent Evenings, Year 9 Interviews and completion of admission and option forms are complete in readiness for the wonderful technology to do its task in organising teaching groups for the Induction Days. The data is being inputted and we await eagerly as plans are in hand for the 2010 Summer Induction; the dates of which are Tuesday 6th, Wednesday 7th and Thursday 8th July. They are preceded on Monday 5th July by a Year 9 Parent Evening. If any prospective parents or pupils have concerns regarding this process please contact the College for information.
Sally Cox
Deputy Principal
Published on Tuesday 27th April 2010 at 09:00