Peru 2017 – Update from 28th July 2017

We have finished our time in the Sacred Valley. We were rewarded with a meal at the Presidents house. Stone cooked lamb and potatoes. Lovely!

Machu Picchu was extraordinary. Got up at 4am to be there for sun rise. Amazing place to go to. Unforgettable!

Chilling back in Cusco before we depart for the Amazon via an overnight bus. We are all  excited for the river boat tour.


Peru 2017 – Update from 30th July 2017

In Madre de Dios preparing for the trip to the jungle.  Leave tomorrow morning.  Another exciting stage of the journey coming up.
HOUSE CHAMPIONS

The House Championship reached its conclusion this week with the whole school attending a special assembly in the Sports Hall on Thursday, 20th July.

A presentation showed highlights of the multiple games and competitions which were held across the year, and each House cheered as the winners of the individual competitions were recapped.

Finally, when all points from all competitions and achievements had been reckoned up it was time to reveal the winners.

4th place went to Witton, 3rd to Berkeley (last year's winners) and 2nd to Holt which means the winners of the House Championship 2016-17 are KINGSLEY.

Well done to all members of Kingsley House.

All students and tutors in Kingsley House - accompanied by all students with 100% attendance and the top ten students with the highest Praise points - made their way in convoy to Air Hop at Cribbs Causeway before returning to Marlwood for an ice cream, in time for the buses home.

The House Championship trophy accompanied the students for the afternoon and the photo shows House Progress Leader of Kingsley, Miss Bullock, proudly displaying it, with its yellow ribbons, on their return.

The House Championship Assembly is always a special day in the calendar and the atmosphere as the results were made known was spirited and good natured - indeed electric!

Roll of Honour
2016-17: Kingsley
2015-16: Berkeley

2014-15: Kingsley


STAYING SAFE DURING THE SUMMER HOLIDAYS

South Gloucestershire Safeguarding Board have made available to us information with regard to keeping children safe during the summer holidays.  It details an awareness campaign for schools with secondary age children, and for their parents/carers, ahead of the summer holiday.  The last page gives advice for parents/carers on possible signs of CSE (Child Sexual Exploitation).

This information is being shared by House Progress Leaders in end of term assemblies this week via a more student-friendly Powerpoint.


We hope you find this guidance helpful and that it contributes to all members of our school community staying safe during the summer holiday.


UPDATE ON TUTOR INFORMATION


Please follow the links below for a letter outlining the changes to the Tutor Teams for next year and an updated list of tutors: -


END OF TERM LETTER


Please follow the link below for my end of term update:

ATTENDANCE AT SCHOOL


We cannot emphasise enough how important attendance is for all students.  High Attendance allows them to achieve their full potential.  Please see information via the links below with regard to attendance which has been emailed home today and is also available on the school website.



YEAR 7 MORFA BAY TRIP

Last week Year 7 students went to Morfa Bay in Wales for their 3 day residential trip, the weather was kind and it would seem that a great time was had by all!


Feedback from staff, students and parents has been very positive – one parent emailed the school saying – ‘Thank you so much for giving Year 7 such a fantastic time at Morfa Bay. Our son, enjoyed every minute of it. The activities were brilliant fun, the assault course was 'epic' and he really enjoyed getting to know the Year group better and making some new friends.  Thank you for helping to create some memories which will stay with the children forever’.
Update from Peru 2017 Team below: -

We have Spent a lovely day in Lima. Then travelled to the amazing city of Cusco 3,300 metres above sea level.

Fantastic views from the hostel in Cusco.

Met the project organsiers yesterday. We now know what we are doing and have been thanked for the invaluable help.

The team leaders so far of Jonny Morris, Harry Smale and Alex Stagg have all done an excellent job.


Berry Lewis and Harriet Foulner doing a great job as our Spanish translators.
Ready to Learn Update

As we approach the end of term I thought it appropriate to share some feedback about this development at the school.

We have hosted visits from staff who have similar systems at their schools, carried out student voice work with different groups of students at Marlwood and convened meetings of a staff steering group who have launched and monitored this system.

The main outcomes of the Ready to Learn review are:
·         Numbers referred to the room have steadily declined to single figures on most days
·         Low level disruption is no longer a feature of any lessons observed
·         Staff are consistently implementing Ready to Learn protocols
·         The rules regarding warnings will be slightly adjusted and clarified at the start of Term 1
·         Students welcome the positive impact of Ready to Learn on their progress in the classroom
·         Students referred to the room recognise that the class they have left is better able to work and make progress because they have been taken out.

Additional provision from September:

The Ready to Learn room should have six computers installed and networked plus the facility to offer private coaching to those who are having issues relating to settling to learning in the room.


We remain committed to the work of Ready to Learn and thank staff, students and parents for their support since its introduction.
EXPEDITION TO PERU
On Thursday 13th July current Year 12, Post-16 students from Marlwood School departed for a month expedition to Peru.
The trip is an opportunity to experience the culture and sights of Peru, undertake volunteering in the Scared Valley, trek in the Amazon rainforest and visit the lost city of Machu Picchu.
The students will develop their own personal skills and each day students will take it in turns to look after the needs for the whole group.
For many their exciting journey started over a year ago raising the funds to finance the trip through, fundraising show, catering at events, car washings and taking part time jobs whilst balancing studying. 

The expedition is an opportunity for the students to discover and experience a different culture.  At Marlwood development isn’t just about learning but developing and preparing students for the wider world.   

ROTARY YOUTH SPEAKERS COMPETITION

It was my pleasure to be asked to join the judging panel for the Rotary Club Primary Pupils Speaking Competition.  The grand final took place on Monday 3rd July at Olveston Parish Hall.  The finalist had been through a rigorous process of selection – having been through a competition at their primary school in order to secure a position in the final.  It was clear that the standard of speaking was going to be high.  The pupils had selected topics on a wide range of subject.  The audience and judges were informed about the details of each topic which were:-

·         Gymnastics
·         Gloucester Rugby Club
·         Irish Dancing
·         Social Media
·         Porsche
·         Bullying
·         Barcelona
·         Smoking
·         Street Dance

With the standard so high, judging was very close.  Marks were awarded for the structure of the speech, context, confidence, clarity of delivery and engaging evidence.

The overall winner for 2017 was George Peacock from Olveston.  All three judges were in agreement that his was the strongest presentation.  We are deeply delighted at Marlwood as George will be joining us in Year 7 in September.

Many thanks to the Rotary Club for organising this speech event and inviting me along to help with the judging also I would like to thank the ‘inner wheel’ for providing delicious refreshments.


WE WILL ROCK YOU

Marlwood School was alive with rock as it proudly presented ‘We Will Rock You’ by Ben Elton with music from the legendry rock band, Queen, last week.

Over 100 musicians, singers, actors, dancers, designers and technicians from all year groups worked tirelessly to bring this fantastic show to life. Matinee performances were enjoyed by local primary schools and New Siblands Secondary School.  Evening audiences from the community and families loved singing along to all their favourite Queen hits.

It was a joy to watch the Marlwood community coming together to put on this toe-tapping extravaganza!’

I would personally like to thank students and staff involved – putting on a show to this high standard takes a lot of hard work.


Well done!



THORNBURY CARNIVAL

Marlwood Samba Band joined the procession for Thornbury Carnival on Saturday, and although I was unable to attend myself, I have heard several comments on how brilliant they were.


Well Done!