Extended Services Pupil Conference

The 2010 Extended Services Conference took place on Tuesday, 16th November at Leicester Race course. It involved all 15 schools within the Wigston Family and over 200 pupils.

The theme of the day was ‘Raising Aspirations – Reach for the Stars.’ The pupils arrived with their teachers and associate staff armed with rockets they had created as part of the challenge in reaching for the stars. The range of talents exhibited by the rockets was outstanding and they were placed alongside our galaxy, a magnificent piece of artwork created by Autumn Anderson.

The Creative Consultants from Guthlaxton College had worked alongside Lisa Robinson (ESCO) since May developing the agenda for the event. They were exemplary facilitators on the day leading all the activities. All 20 students were excellent ambassadors for the College and fantastic role models of reaching for the stars. The conference was opened by Jack Vardy who, with the help of the stars from Sesame Street, ensured that all conference delegates from the youngest in Key Stage One to the oldest in Key Stage Five recognised that they were special.

The morning session involved a series of ice breakers with exercises around success and achievement followed by Mission Impossible. This was a specific issue relating to their school given to them by their Headteacher. The issues were wide ranging and included engaging all pupils in reading, becoming an eco-friendly school, developing breakfast clubs and so on. After discussing the issue the group developed an action plan which they will feed back to the Senior Management Team in their school.

After lunch, which was enjoyed in the autumn sunshine, the pupils were split into groups representing the planets and constellations. They took part in a selection of team building activities such as egg drop, moon ball, quicksand and tower building. Before our departure the pupils had an evaluation session followed by a balloon release. It was an amazing picture seeing 200 escape to the brilliant blue yonder, with each balloon the delegates aim for the future was attached….mine was continue my travels, sharing happiness with others along the way. I wonder whose wish will travel the furthest and what will be the destination. We’ll wait and see so watch this space.

Feedback from the day has been wonderful including... “The thing that was best about today was working as part of a team to come up with things to improve our school” “I learnt that to succeed you need to try your best” “I now know that learning will help me succeed.” Let’s hope that the delegates from the conference will help others in their schools reach for their stars! It is important that we all have stars to reach.

Sally Cox
Deputy Principal

Published on Thursday 9th December 2010 at 09:00