Guthlaxton College in the News Print in the Leicester Mercury

We were delighted throughout January to feature in the Leicester Mercury.  There were three news worthy items under the headlines

....Scores take up our challenge to find apprentices (Thursday January 13)
....Winter Wonderland as girl band visits students (Friday January 28)
....Stay on right side of track warns Amir (Saturday January 29)

The challenge to find apprentices featured Guthlaxton’s apprentice Vikki Thomewell (16) who is studying for an NVQ Level 2 in Business and Administration.  As a previous student she has returned to the College to gain hands on experience of the very busy College administration systems.  Vikki is an inspiration to other young people seeking work opportunities and her advice is “I would definitely recommend the apprenticeship to others.  I’m full time at my old College and I love it!”

Our second claim to press reporting was the visit to the College of ‘Wonderland’.  The new girl band is managed by X-factor judge Louis Walsh and Westlife’s Kian Egan.  Performing Arts students from the College and our feeder High Schools were treated to an amazing performance by the quintet Sharon Condon, Corrina Durran, Jodie Albat, Kasey Smith and Leigh Learmont.

They faced an audience of over 300 students, some of whom accepted the challenge and sang on stage with the up and coming band who release their debut single on Monday, 7 March entitled ‘Not a Love Song’.  We were delighted by the appearance of the band who enjoyed the opportunity of meeting the students and members of our associate staff including the catering team who presented them with a beautiful cake.

This article was followed by our press release about our visit to Glove’s Gym and Bolton Wanders Football Ground.  Britain’s boxing hero Amir Khan met a group of twenty students from the College as part of our reward scheme.  The students from Year 10 were selected following their hard work.  Amir was a brilliant role model for the students delivering safety warnings about the use of railway lines instead of pulling punches.

He had a workout with some of the youngsters at his Bolton gym and then invited the students to his box at Bolton Wanderers Football Club.  Our students really enjoyed the opportunity.  Ben Ewen (14) stated “Amir Khan made us recognise that guys at the top of their game are able to give such a lot to us” and his fellow students Jack Elliott (14) said “it was brilliant to be offered this opportunity.  It has helped us to recognise the dangers of the railway line which skirts our College field”.

We are grateful to Network Rail and Oadby and Wigston Borough Council for offering us this opportunity.  It is a testament to the “outward facing” work of the College that our students have experienced two inspirational experiences with “Wonderland” and Amir Khan.

Guthlaxton College Family of Schools Scholarship: Platform

We are counting down to the launch of the Wigston FOS Scholarship which is on Thursday 17 February with “The Platform” acoustic evening.

“County Hall invaded by an ugly, badly dressed student rabble. God help us if this is our future.” – Keith Mitchell, conservative leader of the local authority in Oxford.

......This has been the unfortunate take on some students following recent protests against tuition fees.

Young people from across Leicestershire are taking their own action by organising and performing in their own events over the next academic year to raise money to fund a scholarship for a school leaver or group of school leavers at the end of July 2011.

The Guthlaxton College Family of Schools Scholarship is supported by the Rotary Club of Blaby and the Leicester based arts company “Citizen598” who will provide a scholarship for an outstanding individual or group during the academic year 2011/12.

This person or group may excel in one particular area of study or be looking for an opportunity to further develop their skills, attributes and talents, whether this be in the form of helping towards the cost of a course or through paying for travel or equipment – it really depends on the individual or group!

The Guthlaxton College Family of Schools Scholarship has its inaugural event on Thursday, 17th February at Guthlaxton College from 7.00pm. The tickets are available at a cost of £3 for the acoustic event which will star the much acclaimed “Islanders” and other performing music acts from students aged 16-19 from across the county. The event is being organised by students and this unique approach is a testament to the creativity and commitment of young people determined to make a difference for themselves and their community.

We hope you can join us for this event. Please contact the Administration Office during College opening times for tickets.

Christmas Card Collection

A huge thank you to all contributors to the Christmas card recycling collection.  We have received several sacks of used cards which is an excellent contribution towards the Woodland Trust Charity.

Women’s Aid

We were delighted to make a donation of unwanted toiletries and women’s and children’s clothes to the Women’s Aid charity.  Our thanks to everyone who contributed to this worthy cause.

E-Safety and Facebook

The use of Facebook is becoming a major issue across the country as it is being abused.  We have become increasingly aware that it is being used for cyber bullying which is impacting upon many of our students and their families
Our advice to students and their parents is that it should be used for its true purpose as a means of positive communication.  If abusive messages appear these should be printed as evidence for investigation purposes by the police. Please be sure that you are e-safety aware and support our young people to help them avoid e-dangers. In addition we have been made aware of a scam by Leicestershire Police which preys upon female students requesting photographs for a modelling agency.  Please visit our website which will provide you with the appropriate link and enable you to advise and support your child.

Safeguarding

We are constantly aware of the need to address issues of child protection and safeguarding our young people.  We have successfully completed whole staff training led by the LA; this is updated each term as new colleagues and governors join the College.

Natasha Davies and myself recently completed an inspection of our procedures and I am happy to report that we continue to adopt good practice throughout this sensitive and responsible aspect of our work.

If you have any safeguarding issues please do not hesitate to contact Sally Cox or Natasha Davies who are the designated teachers at the college.

High School Transfers

Like yourselves, we are awaiting notification from the LA regarding the 2011 intake and we have been working closely with our feeder high schools to prepare our prospective Year 9 pupils and their parents for Key Stage 4.

The Spring Term has been one of the busiest terms in planning and preparing for the 2011 transfer of students to Guthlaxton College from our three feeder High Schools and other institutions.

It has been a hectic start to the new year with the process of advising and guiding the Year 9 pupils, their parents and teachers. There has been an intensive programme of presentations in the High Schools involving the Faculties who have talked to the pupils about the range of courses available at the College. This has been very successful and it has resulted in the Year 9 pupils being very well-briefed to make sensible choices across their option subjects.

On Thursday, 13 January there was a well attended Year 9 tutor briefing meeting where the High School tutors met with Natasha Davies and myself to discuss changes to the option choices and to offer support and guidance to tutors as they prepared themselves to brief and help the pupils.

Later that evening there was the annual 14+ Parent Information Evening. This included a presentation to prospective parents and students about the College followed by small group presentations where Leadership and Pastoral team members led a question and answer session. In total the event was attended by almost 800, feedback from which was very positive.

For the third consecutive year all Year 9 pupils were interviewed individually by a team of associate and teaching staff from Guthlaxton College. It was an excellent three day process held at the High Schools and it has helped to guide pupils in their choices and provide a wealth of pre transfer information for the Pastoral team at Guthlaxton. The programme was well organised by Natasha Davies and Angie Skinner and carefully supported by colleagues in the High Schools ensuring that the organisation ran smoothly.

Each of the High Schools have hosted Year 9 Parent Evenings which were attended by members of the Leadership team, Lisa Robinson (ESCO) and Connexions. This has helped to cement the process giving parents additional advice and support to enable their child to make an informed choice.

This process will continue throughout the next term and a half in preparation for the successful transition of our new learners. If as prospective parents and students you have any concerns or issues please do not be afraid to contact the College.

Year 9 Able and More Able Enhancement Programme

We continue to welcome to the College on Wednesday evenings Year 9 pupils from our three High Schools who have been identified as gifted and talented. We offer them a range of activities to extend their knowledge, understanding and skills and we hope we are encouraging their development as independent learners.

On Wednesday, 2 February they were engaged with our current students and staff in a historical exploration of the Wars of the Roses.  They were given a variety of stimulus to encourage them to share their knowledge and explore links between a series of items and pictures. Other sessions include; Media, ICT, Critical Thinking and the visit to Cambridge.

Reading Week

It is National Reading Week commencing 28 February and World Book Day on Thursday, 3 March.  As a College we always celebrate this event and students are given book tokens to purchase reading books. With the recent opening of our Learning Resource Centre it will be a great time for our students to visit the area and choose a book to read. There is a huge range of new and old titles with displays of reading material to entice even the reluctant reader.

Throughout the week there will be information about new authors and titles available for our young people to access.  It is important as a College that we encourage and support reading as it provides so many future avenues for our students.  Please encourage your son / daughter to access a reading book and use the World Book Day voucher to purchase some reading material.

Autumn Term Arts Review

The Autumn Term Arts Review is now available to access either through our website on www.guth.org.uk or a hard copy from the College administration office.

It is a celebration of the range of arts related activities that are offered by the College to support the development of young people and the community. It reflects the College as a beacon for the Arts and demonstrates our long standing commitment in this aspect of our work. Look out for the Spring Term Review in April.

The Wigston Arts Festival

 There is ongoing news of the Wigston Arts Federation Festival which is being co-ordinated for 20 June – 15 July 2011.  It is building upon the success of the inaugural festival last year and will include activities across the Wigston Family of Schools.  Please watch this space for news of opportunities including our “Book on a Bicycle” project.

Creative Consultants

The Creative Consultants are a group of 20 students who have worked together since 2008 to support the Change School Programme and the implementation of creativity across the College. Their hard work, commitment and enthusiasm is recognised by The Mighty Creatives (Leicester’s Creative Partnership) as being outstanding. Over this academic year they have been involved in partnership work with the Curve Theatre, The Blaby Rotary Club, Network Rail, Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, the High Schools and creative practitioners across the East Midlands.  They have brought to the College the Take Over Festival, Platform, the Urban Art Work, artists in residence, teacher training and other excellent opportunities.

They have recently attended a student led session at King Edward School, Coalville, where they met Andy Cope, an inspirational and motivational speaker who we hope to invite to Guthlaxton to carry out some work with our students in the later part of the academic year. Well done to all Creative Consultants they are an exemplary model of student voice in the East Midlands.

Specialist Schools and Academies Trust – Performing Arts Conference – 26-27 January 2011 Kenilworth

It was a credit to the work of the Wigston Federation of Arts Colleges that we were invited to present at the National Performing Arts Conference. Chris Henley (DOS South Wigston) and myself spent a worthwhile two days sharing experiences with colleagues from across the UK.  It was an inspiring event with workshops, roadshows, rondevals, keynotes and debate.  As part of the programme Chris and myself were delighted to share with others the success of the Wigston Family of Schools Arts collaboration.  It is refreshing to work with others and experience good practice.

House Charity

There will be a charity and fund raising day on Friday, 18 February.  This will include a range of activities including non-uniform to support the four house charities; these are
De Montfort – Gorse Hill Farm
Glenne – Help 4 Heroes
Herrick – Marie Curie
Wistan – Age Concern Oadby and Wigston

Please give generously for these worthwhile causes and encourage your son/daughter to participate in the various activities.

Speakeasy Disability Youth Theatre Group

We are delighted to welcome to Guthlaxton College Speakeasy Youth Theatre Group who are involved in running a Disability Youth Theatre Holiday Project during half term and beyond.  We wish them every success with the venture and hope that this will be the start of a new arts partnership for the College.

 Dr Norman Reynolds

It was sad to learn of the news of the death of Dr Norman Reynolds aged 88. Dr Reynolds was Mayor of the borough of Oadby and Wigston in 1969 and served on its council for 28 years until 1991.  In that role he was an LA Governor of Guthlaxton College for a great number of years.  During this time he served the College with great dedication and commitment offering support for staff and students alike.

He has been described by Duncan Lucas as a ‘man of the people’ and that was reflected in his work at the College.  He was well respected and contributed significantly to the life of the College in the 80’s and 90’s.  He will be missed by all who knew him across the borough.

1957 And All That

Mike Smith of Fleckney, a previous student of Guthlaxton College grammar school is currently writing an autobiography. He has made a request for any information about the College and its students in 1957.

If you were a previous student and you have memorabilia such as the delightful purple blazer with gold braiding, information about the painted tiger in the hall or the statue tiger please contact me by telephone on 0116 2881611 or email s.cox@guth.org.uk and I will gladly liaise with Mike as he completes his memoirs.

Sainsbury’s Active Kids 2011

Sainsbury’s Active Kids 2011 has arrived. Once again we will be collecting vouchers in Reception for sport, dance and food technology equipment. The vouchers will be available from Sainsbury’s stores, petrol stations and now through online grocery shopping between 9th February 2011 and 31st May 2011. Please collect these on behalf of the College.....they will benefit the subject departments and ultimately your son/daughter.

Also, it is time for the Tesco for Schools and Clubs vouchers. These are available from Tesco stores, filling stations and Tesco Express. Please donate these vouchers by placing them in the boxes in reception.

 Sally Cox
Deputy Principal

Published on Tuesday 15th February 2011 at 09:00