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Goodbye MR BARNES

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BAFTA awardwinning visitor

SHEBBEAR COLLEGE NEWS SPRING 2013

www.shebbearcollege.co.uk

‘Ethics Matters’Conference

KINDERGARTEN OUT & ABOUT

WorldBook Day

Good Works Rewarded

10k Run

BAFTA CAMERAMAN VISITS THE SCHOOLAward winning cameraman Doug Anderson visited the Junior School and Kindergarten.

On Wednesday 6th February, Doug Anderson came to talk to the children about his adventures filming the BBC nature series ‘Frozen Planet’. He brought his BAFTA award with him to show the children.

Doug specializes in underwater film and video and has worked on other award winning BBC series such as ‘The Blue Planet’, ‘Planet Earth’ and ‘Life’ and has received EMMY, BAFTA and Cinematography awards for factual cinematography.

Using an impressive selection of photographs, he spoke about the extraordinary feeding habits of Killer Whales in Antarctica, specifically the amazing spectacle of filming Killer Whales washing Weddell seals off the ice floe.

The children were captivated and excited by the dramatic stories and amazing photographs and were also delighted to hold a real BAFTA award.

PRIZE-WINNING ARTSaskia Weale won a prize at the Annual Schools Exhibition at The Burton Gallery in Bideford.

Shebbear College was shortlisted for a certificate of merit for the creativity of the work submitted by a group of pupils for this year’s exhibition. Lower 6th Former Saskia Weale

won a prize and certificate for her artwork. Saskia is the daughter of new Headmaster Mr Simon Weale who will take over from Mr Barnes after the Easter break.

The Annual Schools Exhibition nurtures and encourages the talents of young artists. Aged from 5 to 18, all participants attend schools in the local area and the exhibition is designed to reward the creativity of the next generation.

HEADMASTER’S WORDS

Dear Parents, Friends and Old Shebbearians,

“And now, the end is here” - the end of the spring term is upon us. “And so I face the final curtain” which I do after some 24 years at the College.

It has been a privilege to be part of this wonderful school, firstly as Head of PE and then as Head of Boarding, Deputy Head and finally, for these last 10 and a bit years, as Head.

As I read through the contents of this newsletter I am reminded of what a great school this is; our pupils are ever positive, the staff enthusiastic professionals and parents fully supportive and eager to be engaged in our community life. I say farewell with much pride and some sadness and would like to express my sincere thanks to all for your support and loyalty through our journey together.

I offer my best wishes for all your futures and I am confident that under the new Head, Mr Simon Weale, the college can only go from strength to strength.

I hope you enjoy the contents of this newsletter and wish you all a happy Easter and an enjoyable break.

Thank you.

Yours sincerely,Bob Barnes, Headmaster

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Keep up with recent events on the college YouTube channel - ‘Shebbeartube’. You can also link straight to the channel from the homepage of the college website:www.shebbearcollege.co.uk

100% PASS RATE HITS THE RIGHT NOTEThe music department celebrated another set of wonderful results in the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music instrumental exams.

From pianists to flautists, saxophonists to trumpeters, the players achieved a 100% pass rate with more than half gaining Merits or Distinctions from Grades 1 to 8.

Notably, Issac Allsop, Angus Crookes, Ellerker Singleton and Robert Temple all achieved Distinctions and Merits were achieved by Heather Mathews, Judina McCluskey, Benjamin Parker, Olivia Rolls and Tara Twomey. Oscar Baker, Lois Luk, Abby Selwyn and Joey Yeung also passed the examination.

TEN TORS TRAININGAn enthusiastic squad of Form 3 and 4 pupils are being trained by Mrs Bearpark and Mitch Kingsland for this year’s challenge.

All of the training walks take place on Dartmoor. On the first few walks they focussed on navigational skills, but gradually the lengths of the walks have increased and the demands of the day have changed to include fighting the weather and careful route selection; they have to avoid turbulent river crossings and marshy bog, although one of them was unsuccessful on the last occasion!

The most recent walk was particularly gruelling. Growing cold and rainy after a fairly pleasant start, the squad was proud to arrive at the rendezvous point earlier than expected, to be rewarded with a hot chocolate each. They said there are times when they all wonder why they are doing it, but on the bus rides home they all agree that it was a great and they are glad they did it. They acknowledged that sometimes they need to put themselves through tough times in order to feel pleased at the end of the day.

WORLD BOOK DAYKindergarten children enjoyed stories, fancy dress and new books in the college library.

World Book Day was celebrated on Thursday 7th March with the Kindergarten children dressing up as their favourite characters. Mrs Welby, College Librarian, read stories to them before they explored the library enjoying a selection of books. The children were delighted to receive book vouchers at the end of the day.

Pictured back row l-r: Isobel Gee (Sleeping Beauty), Ellexia Carey (Cinderella), Isabella Fellows (Belle), Benjamin Clewley (The mouse from the Gruffalo) Chloe Huxtable (Snow White), and Aden Ashfield (Transformer). Front row l-r: Jethro Middleton (Incredible Hulk), Isabel Hamilton (Rapunzel), Thomas Clewley (The Gruffalo) and Axel Middleton (Batman).

GOOD WORKS REWARDEDCommunity Action Through Sport (CATS) proves that young people are willing to give up their own time to help others.

Abby Selwyn (pictured left) was nominated by her Guide Leader for giving up her free time to help as a young Guide Leader and Isaac Allsopp was nominated for the help he gives at his local church. During a recent awards ceremony in Holsworthy, the organisation awarded both Senior School pupils with a certificate and a sports voucher each for their choice from a range of activities.

SPARKLING JUNIOR GYMNASTSOn Saturday 9th March our Junior Gymnasts competed against nearly 600 children and won a host of awards at the North Devon Schools Competition.

All the pupils who took part won a medal, some winning 1st, 2nd and 3rd places.Pictured below are U7 Girls: Demelza Short, Gabriella Gee and Jesse Mae.

U9 Boys (left): Joseph Faulkner and William Robins. Our coach and trainer Sue Standford (right) won an Endeavour Shield.

Results:U7 Novice Mixed Team - Gold AwardU7 Novice Girls Team - Gold AwardIndividual Overall U7 Girls Novice - Silver AwardU9 Novice Boys A Team - Bronze AwardU11 Novice Girls A Team - Silver AwardIndividual Overall U11 Novice Girls - Bronze Award

JUNIORS CREATE ‘LIVING ART’In January a group of Junior School pupils created ‘Living Art’ sculptures using natural materials. The finished pieces were hung in trees around the campus producing a perfect balance between nature and art.

GIG ROWING AT TAMAR LAKESThis term some of our 5th and 6th Form students took the opportunity to try a different sporting activity - gig rowing.

Students donned their swim wear and took to the oars and it was all systems go under the watchful eye of Admiral Jamie Sanders. Every Wednesday during Spring Term students have been learning the key skills, and developing a strong understanding of the need for teamwork.

The college has formed a link with Bude Pilot Gig Club and pupils who have chosen rowing will also have membership to Bude Gig Club for the year and are invited to take part in regattas all round the South West, including the infamous World Championships on the Isles of Scilly. Training is based at the Upper Tamar Lake, which is just outside of Bude. This allows us to row in a safe and scenic environment, even when conditions do not allow rowing at sea.

The Cornish pilot gig is a six-oared rowing boat, built of Cornish narrow leaf elm, 9.8 m long with a beam of nearly 5 feet. Although recognised as one of the first shore-based lifeboats, the original purpose of the Cornish pilot gig was as a general work boat, often used for taking pilots out to incoming vessels. Today, pilot gigs are used primarily for sport, with around 100 clubs across the globe.

10K CHARITY FUN RUN

This year’s 10k Run, held on Friday 15th March at Cookworthy Woods, once again saw the whole school taking part, raising over £800 for The Alzheimer’s Society. Many took part in ‘grandma’s and grandpa’s’ themed fancy dress.

SWEENEY TODD VISITS THE COLLEGEThis year’s production ‘Sweeney Todd - The Shock ‘n’ Roll Show’ pleased audiences on the evenings of 14th, 15th and 16th March.

Performed in the Memorial Hall and backed by a superb stage set, the large cast of Junior and Senior pupils presented a lively, humorous musical version of the sinister tale.

FAIRTRADE FASHION SHOWOn Friday 8th March we put on a stylish Fairtrade Fashion Show for a packed audience in the new assembly hall.

The event, part of Fairtrade Fortninght, saw pupils and staff modelling Fairtrade fashion brands on the catwalk, such as People Tree, Annie Greenabelle, Epona, Chandi Chowk and Nomads.

Students and staff produced a fantastic night of entertainment that helped raise awareness of Fairtrade and also raised some money for the very worthy charity, Christian Aid.

GLASGOW RANGERS TRIPAt half term Charles Green invited some of our most talented footballers to attend the Rangers’ Youth Academy for a week to experience life as professional footballers.

The Headmaster, Nick Law, Mike Furber and Andy Bryan accompanied the boys on what proved to be a most enjoyable and worthwhile

experience. They were given the warmest of welcomes and, as well as the training the boys were involved in, they were also given tickets to a title-deciding reserve match played at Ibrox. On the following day they were shown around the magnificent stadium by someone who seemed to know everything about this famous Scottish club.

We are sure that pupils Joe Furber, Harry Landymore, Reece Stanbury and Leonel Nordmann (who were a credit to the college) will remember their experience for a very long time and three of them will surely revel in the knowledge that they witnessed a German missing a penalty after they had scored theirs!

TWICKENHAM VARSITY RUGBYA group of 6th Form pupils recently took an exciting day trip to watch Oxford v Cambridge Varsity Rugby at Twickenham.

They clearly had an exciting day out, the highlight of which was watching the two teams battle it out, resulting in a final score of 26-19 to Oxford - another victory for the three times Varsity Champions.

Pictured L-R: Alice Cowan-Dickie, Hope Browne, Rob Dunn, Sarah Penny, Charlotte Harper, Daniel Lee, Matt Davey, Richard Dymond, Jack Alford, Harry Chibbett, Harry Chance, Jack Warren, Vanessa Rothon, Jonas Weiss and Matt Prowse.

CORNISH’S PASTIESHenry Cornish, 14, won the Open Savoury Junior Category at the World Pasty Championships held recently at the Eden Project. His 11 year old brother, Simon, came second in the Cornish Pasty Junior Category. Their father Graham won the Cornish Pasty and Open Savoury Professional Categories last year.

OTHER NEWS IN BRIEF ...

DON’T MISS OUT ...Ski Trip 2013 - Bormio, ItalyEnjoy a week in the Italian Alps and experience the thrill of skiing or snowboarding down the mountains.Look out for the Ski Trip information or see Mr. Trask for more details.

MAD DOG McREA CONCERTOn the evening of Friday 1st March we enjoyed an ecletic mix of live music at a concert organised for 5th and 6th Formers.

First on stage were 5th Form pupils Catherine Kotarski and Emma Dixon. After a brief sound check they performed 4 songs including a cover of The Pierce’s ‘Glorious’ in their beautiful acoustic vocal harmony style. Next up was singer-songwriter Jenna, currently recording her 3rd studio album. Jenna performed a mix of her own songs and covers of her favourites, including a superb version of Janis Joplin’s ‘Mercedes Benz’. The headline act was Mad Dog McRea who very quickly had the audience up and dancing to their rousing blend of traditional and contemporary Irish music. Their set included stomping covers of ‘Whisky in the Jar’, ‘The Devil Went Down to Georgia’ and a very well received version of ‘The Bear Necessities’. You can see films of each act on the college YouTube channel - just follow the link on the homepage of the college website.

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CHESS CHAMPIONSHIPSBack in February during a Championship game, our reigning chess champion Theo Slade, 12, drew with International Master, Jack Rudd, who is ranked in the top 70 players in the country. In addition, Theo has been selected by the English Chess Federation to represent England at the World Schools Chess Championships in Greece in May.

KINDERGARTEN OUT & ABOUTOn Tuesday 5th March the Kindergarten children enjoyed a glorious day out at Rosemoor in Torrington.

The day involved a ‘scavenger’ workshop in which the children used a variety of items to make into head bands, before they experienced shire horses working in the Brash! Such a sunny day prompted the children to enjoy their lunch sat in the sun before inspecting the scarecrows and playing in the play area.

VICTORIOUS GIRLS U11 FOOTBALL TEAMOn Sunday 10th March the team competed in the Independent Schools Girls Football Tournament at King’s College, Taunton.

In extemely cold conditions the team played 4 matches and won all 4 matches, conceding no goals.

This term we bid a fond farewell to Robert Barnes, our headmaster for over ten years whose sense of fun, hard work and dedication has made Shebbear College the happy and thriving environment it is today.

Mr Barnes, affectionately known by all as ‘Bob’, has done an outstanding job at Shebbear College, and achieved a great deal in developing all aspects of school life. Under Bob’s leadership we have strengthened the school immensely. The Kindergarten enjoys a delightful environment; the Science block is attractively furnished; the all-weather pitch is an asset we share with the community; the Junior School extension is testament to his marvellous efforts and enjoyed by us all. There are so many good things.

On the academic front, we have seen improving exam results both at GCSE and A-Level in the ten years since he became headmaster, continuing our record of pupils achieving places at the top universities. Not surprisingly, for a former head of P.E. and Games at Shebbear College, games have flourished too under his direction.

A shrewd man, Bob Barnes has also been mindful of the need for prudence in managing our financial position, which I am pleased to say is strong - a splendid legacy.

Of course we will miss seeing Bob and his family on the campus but understand his reasons for wanting to move on, not least, a promise to enjoy golf more! We all have great respect and gratitude for what Bob has achieved in his time at Shebbear College and thank him heartily for all that he has realised for us and for pupils past, present and future.

Thank you for bringing such joy and energy to our school.

Good luck! Annie Farrell, Deputy Head

BUSINESS & MEDIA STUDIES EURODISNEY TRIPThe Business and Media Studies trip to Eurodisney was a great success, with presentations from some excellent professionals during the Business and Media Conferences.

The pupils who attended the trip in the first few days of March were both engaged and inspired by the conferences. Upper 6th Form Media student Jack Alford said “the conference has inspired me to think about going into a career in media.” Lower 6th Form Media student Matt Davey agreed and stated “the whole experience was magical and awe inspiring.”

Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play. The pupils clearly enjoyed all the attractions that Eurodisney has to offer.

GOODBYE MR BARNES

‘A GOOD LIFE’ FORRELIGIOUS STUDIES STUDENTS6th Form Religious Studies students attended an Ethics A-Level conference in Yeovil with Mr Rogers.

The difference was clear on the minibus. In the morning an early start and some very quiet, sleepy A-Level students. By contrast on the return journey the minibus was buzzing with conversation and debate on some fine points of ethics and philosophy, Socrates would have been delighted!

The conference, led by former Vice-Principal of Heythrop College, University of London and Shebbear College governor Dr. Peter Vardy, featured video interviews with current leading moral philosophers at Oxford and Cambridge, and even the former Chancellor the Rt. Hon. Alistair Darling MP. Lectures and debates covered a variety of ethical issues including the meaning of a good life, Kant’s ethics and his impact on human rights, abortion and the importance of concepts such as consent and personhood. A lecture with a lot of impact for the students looked at the significance of business ethics in the current world market, highlighting the ethical concerns arising from pursuing the profit motive both in terms of human interests and the environment, and explaining the difficulty in regulating companies and banks.

The A-Level Religious Philosophy and Ethics students found it a challenging but rewarding experience. Some were pleasantly surprised, expecting it to be ‘boring’ but actually being surprised at how much they understood, learnt and enjoyed. It helped the students to consolidate some of their recent learning; it also deepened their understanding further and to see wider links between the apparently contrasting approaches.