The trip was excellent, and the students were a credit to the College. We were able to take part in all arranged activities, such as taking a walk down a coal mine and taking part in a Victorian style lesson. They were also able to explore a Victorian street and walk along the canal, meeting the shire horses that once pulled the canal boats. Despite a long period of travel, the students were well behaved and polite, and showed great enjoyment and learning throughout the course of the day. Thank you to all staff who accompanied the History Department on the trip, who helped to make it a very successful day.

Go for Science and Engineering and Technology (Go4SET)

For the past twelve weeks six Year 9 students have been involved with the Go for Science and Engineering and Technology (Go4SET) Project. Early in November Tia, Charles, Hannah, Daniel, Emma and Jordan attended the launch of the project where they determined what was involved for the Engineering Development Trust (EDT) Scheme. The students were posed with the problem 'water falls on your school, what are you going to do with it?' Their task was to come up with a novel way to collect, store and distribute water in the college to help conserve water for the future.

After a company visit to the Ford’s Technical Centre in Dunton last December and subsequent brainstorming sessions, students decided to distil rain water collected from the top of A Block and stored on the roof the Beauty Salon for use in facials. Many hours were spent with the support of Science Teacher Miss Pizzey and Mr Alan Banks from Ford, a detailed report was written by the students and submitted for assessment and review prior to the final presentation. A realistic model of the proposal was also built.

The culmination of the project was the Celebration and Assessment Day (CAD) which occurred on Thursday 7 February at the Ford Dunton Technical Centre. The event was inspiring; students’ behaviour was something to be proud of and they spent the whole day smiling. They were understandably proud of their achievements. Assessor comments were all very positive and the students received a Silver Award from the British Association for the Advancement of Science (BA Crest) for their dedicated hard work on the project. The Go4SET Team would like to thank all staff who assisted them throughout the scheme, especially Mr Phil Dorking, Ms Andrea Wigglesworth, Mr Gordon Mills

Geography, Year 10 GCSE, Residential Field Trip to Somerset from 29 January to 1 February 2008

Forty-three students came on the trip from Mr Barber's and Miss Hann’s classes - along with Miss Dobbs and Miss Davies. We stayed in the historic haunted manor house –Nettlecombe Court (grade 2 listed) nestled in the heart of the West Country. Students undertook their coursework which counts towards 25% of their final GCSE grade. Young Geographers investigated coastal geomorphology in Porlock Bay and fluvial systems along the River Holford.

It was very hard work, however, fun was had by all!

Famous quotes from year 10’s included: ‘isn’t time going so fast – I wish it could last longer’ and when at the coast ‘I did not think places this beautiful existed!’ as well as ‘this trip has really got me into geography!’

Although, the primary aim of the trip was academic, another important element was for staff and students to work together, get to know each other as individuals -and work as a team.

All Greensward students were an absolute pleasure to take and were a credit to the college without exception.

Aim Higher - Young People in Higher Education

On Wednesday 21st-Friday 23rd November, Emily, David, Daniel, Hannah and Katie in Year 9 spent two days at SEEVIC and a day at Anglia Ruskin University as part of the Young People in Higher Education programme. It was a fantastic opportunity for the students to learn more about the opportunities available to them in the future and gave them a chance to take part in a range of activities including interviewing students about fashion, fitness and healthy lifestyle and even a pig’s heart dissection! The final day was spent at Anglia Ruskin where all five had to give presentations in one of the lecture theatres before learning more about life at university. The students had a great time and were an absolute credit to themselves and to Greensward.

Pinhole in the Park

As part of the new A Level Photography course the students have got involved in a project working with the Focal Point Gallery which is based up stairs in Southend Library. Last week the always enthusiastic Mrs. Bridgeman and Miss Windley took a group of 5 Sixth Form Student to Priory Park to take photographs using a caravan that has been converted into a camera obscura (similar to a pinhole camera). The girls learnt how the camera works and took pictures that will be shown as part of a new exhibition of work at the Focal Point Gallery from the 18th December to the 21st January. The private viewing of the work is on the 19th December from 6pm until 7pm so feel free to come along and see the work.

Year 8 Adventure Weekend

From Friday 12th – 14th October, forty-three Year 8 students and four staff members went to Hilltop Adventure Centre. The weekend was organised to encourage the students to take part in outdoor activities which involved many team building skills.

The activities included Tree Top Trail, Archery, Assault Course, Swimming, Spotlight, Crates and Jacobs Ladder. The students were all fantastic throughout participating in all of the activities and some including staff members also conquered their fears. It was a thoroughly enjoyable, yet tiring, weekend.

Salon International

Year 12 and 13 hairdressing students attended Salon International on 15 October, a yearly event. We all had a fantastic time and the students were left motivated and inspired by the experience. They also gained an insight into the exciting hairdressing industry and gathered ideas for their own hair show which will be happening next year as part of their course requirements.

Spanish Exchange

GCSE Spanish students spent a week in Valladolid on a school exchange. They stayed with Spanish families, completely immersed in Spanish culture! Each day, students met up and went on excursions to Salamanca, Segovia and other local attractions.

The students spent the weekend with their families, some went to Madrid, some went to local festivals and others went shopping in Valladolid town. In the evenings, there were meals out in local restaurants and nights out at the local discoteca. The students were a credit to Greensward College and found the trip both enjoyable and useful for their Spanish studies.

Year 9 Trip to Ypres

The students were exceptional, and took part in a variety of activities and ceremonies with respect and consideration. They experienced the sites and surroundings of World War One trench conflict and were able to understand and empathise with those involved in the fighting.

Year 12 Biology Field Trip

On Wednesday 20 June, 10 Year 12 students accompanied by Mrs Buckley and Mr Rigler travelled to Wales for their biology field trip. The journey was trouble free with many intense games of Monopoly going on. The students mixed well with Ingastone’s Anglo European School.

The students spent their time visiting different shores, coastlines and local farmers to learn more about the area. The weather was not too good, but the rain held off on most days. The lectures were long but the students behaved well and were in great spirits for the evenings when they organised activities such as football and completed projects set.

Year 12 Students Visit Auschwitz

Students Hannah Patching and Reece Stead, both from Year 12, initially took part in a conference, which comprised an orientation seminar, held in London on 11 March, where they heard a survivor recount his time in the camp. This would help them to prepare themselves for what they would see on the visit. The students will be given the opportunity to reflect on their experiences at a follow-up seminar next week.

Few disagree that the slaying of over one million Jewish men, women and children during the Second World War will forever be remembered as one of the darkest chapters in the history of our planet. Indeed, it was the need to learn from these events that prompted students and staff from Greensward College to participate in the Holocaust Educational Trusts “Lessons from Auschwitz Project”, culminating in a day visit to Poland and what many regard as the temple to this suffering, the Auschwitz-Bikenau Death Camps.

Time has done little to erode the sheer enormity of the events that took place here, and much of what we saw will for ever be ingrained in our memories: the Death Wall, against which over 2000 inmates were shot in cold blood; rooms overflowing with the shorn hair ripped from the emaciated bodies of the prisoners; the incinerators which burnt 24 hours all day every day for 4 long murderous years.

Yet in a place of such immense suffering, the strength of human spirit still shone through; the walls in the children’s barracks were daubed with art work; a flag bearing the Star of David blew defiantly in the cold wind. At the commemoration ceremony, held outside the gas chambers which had claimed the lives of so many, we were urged never to forget, and allow the mistakes of the past to repeat themselves. As we placed candles along the infamous railway tracks which led to the Gates of Death, through which over a million had entered, but precious few had left, the snow began to gently fall. It seemed trivial to complain; 60 years ago, it would have been the ashes of a million slaughtered souls which were silently settling on the floor. We would always remember, because we were free to do what others had never had the chance to do. We were free to leave.

Ski Trip March 2007

In the March term break, 67 students and staff travelled to Sunday River, USA for the annual ski trip. The students experienced some very cold weather this year but along with it came the most snowfall for many years. All the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were congratulated for their skiing. There were no injuries this year and it was the best group the college has ever taken away for their ability to adapt to the skiing so quickly. Other activities included in the trip were swimming, basketball, rock climbing, laser tag, and nite tubing (careering down an icy slope in a rubber inner tube – not for the faint hearted!) Some special guests also made appearances on the last day of skiing which caused quite a bit of interest with the locals!

Planning is underway for next year’s trip and if you are interested and would like more information, please see Mrs Wheeler.

Year 9 Mandarin students visit to HSBC and China Town On 18 July Year 9 students from Greensward who are studying Mandarin went to London to visit the China Town branch of HSBC. They spoke to the Branch Manager and the International Manager and used some of their Chinese. In China Town they visited Chinese shops and ate in a Chinese Restaurant. The visit to HSBC was organised by Parent Governor, Trevor Fulcher. Miss Kersey, Head of Global Studies at Greensward, hopes that this trip will encourage the students to continue to learn Mandarin in the future as well as raising awareness of Chinese culture. Paris Trip Following another successful trip to Paris in the holidays I thought I should let you know that Greensward students again proved themselves exemplary in their behaviour on and enjoyment of a trip. The 42 students we brought were at all times mannerly, obedient, helpful and ambassadors for their country and the college. The hostel in which we stayed commended students and staff for their behaviour around the centre, and for their manners towards the staff working there. Despite very ‘unfortunate’ weather conditions, extremely heavy rain whilst at the Eiffel tower and force 10 winds on the ferry on the way back, the students remained upbeat and cooperative at all times. For me it was an absolute pleasure to take the students away and to see them conduct themselves in such a mature and responsible manner. It must be said that they are a credit to their parents, the college and, of course, Miss Dobbs as their Head of Year. I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Miss Dobbs, Mrs Clarkson, Mr Rigler and Mr Ayling for giving up their time and for making my job a lot easier. Miss E Doona, Head of French USA Ski Trip In the March term break, students and staff travelled to Gorham, New Hampshire, USA for the annual ski trip. All of the students thoroughly enjoyed themselves and were congratulated for their skiing. Although we had a few minor injuries this year, it was probably one of the best groups we had ever taken away for their ability to adapt to the skiing so quickly. Letters for next year’s trip are available from Mrs Wheeler Business and Economics Trip to New York During the first week of the March break the Business and Economics departments took 41 students from Years 12 and 13 to New York, accompanied by six staff. We stayed at the Hotel Pennsylvania, directly opposite Madison Square Gardens. The trip itinerary included the Statue of Liberty, Empire State Building, UN headquarters, Federal Reserve Bank, Grand Central Station, Madison Square Gardens, an ice hockey match and a chance to see the Lion King on Broadway. Of course there was plenty of time for shopping at Macy’s and Bloomingdales too. The students were fantastic during the trip and were a credit to the college. Overall it was a very tiring, but totally amazing trip for all. Spanish Exchange Students from a school in Valladolid, Spain, visited Greensward at the end of last term for one week. English students had spent a week with their partners last October and this was the return visit. Spanish students spent time in College as well as visiting London, Cambridge and Canterbury. Students enjoyed socialising in the evenings together and at the weekend and some good friendships were made. The exchange will take place again next year for Key Stage 4 Spanish students. ‘Have Your Say’ Competition A group of Greensward students gave outstanding performances in French, German and Spanish at the ‘Have Your Say Competition’ at FitzWimarc School on 23 March. Having sacrificed their lunch breaks and time after school, the students were prepared to show off their talents. They were separated into pairs and then put into different classrooms to compete. This involved the pair standing at the front of a room and performing their prepared speeches. A feat in itself for many! The students were tutored by Miss Doona, Head of French, and she was astounded and delighted by their determination to do well, not just for themselves but also for the college. Each student performed excellently and 14 students have been selected to go through to the final on 16 May. Thanks go to Miss Doona for her enthusiastic support of the students. GCSE Construction Last Thursday afternoon Mr Waters and Mr Turner took 18 year 9 Y band boys to Prospects College for an induction course in Brickwork. The trip was a huge success. The boys learnt how to hold a trowel, cut and roll mortar, lay a bedding course and make a wall using 2 blocks and 12 bricks. In the 2 hours available all of the boys finished their work and stated that they had fun and had learnt a lot.