Activities Week
Traditionally this week I would be posting images from a range of events that the students had taken part in. We may not have been able to travel far but that hasn’t stopped our staff and students completing work together this week. In this week’s blog there are lots of images and pictures of a virtual activities week and some more inspiring stories of charity and enterprise within our community.
Community Spirit during lock down
Theatre Royal Plymouth Appeal
You may have read the following story in the Plymouth Herald, or been following and supporting the campaign to support The Theatre Royal Plymouth which had to close due to the pandemic.
Mrs Hawker, a member of our Performing Arts Department who joined our school back in September 2019, has made a video to help people find out more about the plight of the Theatre.
Mrs Hawker explained, ‘Theatre Royal was very special to me growing up and I hated to think that our young people would not have the same opportunity I had.’
Here are the links to the article and the video
I spoke with Mrs Hawker earlier this week and congratulated her on the success of her campaign. Through a series of contacts the word spread and resulted in nearly 200 international musical stars including Brian Conley, Gary Wilmot and Lesley Joseph pledging their support.
It’s just fantastic that this collective action has helped save our city’s beloved theatre, which has been forced to close its doors for the first time in 37 years due to the coronavirus pandemic. As a school we visited to see an Inspector Calls in February. It’s a vital Hub at the heart of our community and whilst Mrs Hawker said she would be honoured to be mentioned in the blog, we are equally proud to be able to celebrate her work. We are so pleased she joined us this year and so many students have enjoyed learning from her experiences in this year’s school show ‘Sister Act’. It might be a while before we have the opportunity to go to the theatre or indeed put on a school show but when we do, we intend to celebrate in style.
However, this story doesn’t end there…
Inspired by Mrs Hawker’s work and passion Dulcie in Year 9 has been carrying out her own work to raise money for the theatre, this week she has passed her £1000 target. We are incredibly proud of this enterprising but very modest young lady. Her mum explains
“Dulcie now has another idea which is now growing and we, with the help from another couple of ladies who help run the group, have managed to design and print t shirts which the profits will go towards the Sir Ian Mckellen charity”.
The T-Shirt campaign is pictured below, we think it’s great and that Dulcie is definitely Year 9 student of the week.
Staff thank you
I came across the banner pictured below yesterday morning that had suddenly appeared outside by the Hub was a thank-you facilitated by some of our staff. They wanted to pay tribute “to all the people on SLT, premises, IT and all those in school who have put in so much time and effort to keep us all as safe as we can be. We realise that the task is gargantuan!
It was also a thank you for the kindness and consideration shown to staff in these difficult times.”
It’s a lovely way to celebrate and thank the work of so many staff.
When we get to our art section below, the nose picture is linked to a special project and thank you.
Duke of Edinburgh students recognised
Our DofE students received praise indeed from Heather Thompson, DofE South West Director, who asked to thank our incredible DoE students, Mrs Tyrrell, our DofE Manager, plus staff volunteers who have made, and continue to make, such a positive impact on their local community.
Plymstock School received a certificate of social value which details the total hours DofE participants within Plymstock School donated to our local community. All in all, 806 hours of voluntary service was donated – equivalent social value of these hours is a whopping, £3,506.10!
Well done everyone! Pictured below is the Presentation of Awards just before lockdown and pictures from the students’ expeditions. Having fun the Plymstock way.
A special thank goes to Mrs Tyrrell for coordinating and all the other staff and parents who supported these impressive young people with their endeavour, resilience and empathy. The Plymstock School way, being the best you can be and developing a range of skills for life not just academic qualifications. Educating the ‘whole person’ is central to our school’s philosophy and ethos.
@DofESouthWest
The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award
Transitions
Year 6 -7
The first Year 6 postcard received by Mrs Kirk and Mr Chivers, thank you to Luke.
We look forward to receiving more during the Summer break.
Mrs Kirk
Year 7 to 8
Miss Robb and members of Year 7 have been actively carrying out some work to thank our teachers. Pictured below is one of their thank you collages.
Miss Robb explains: “They’ve really enjoyed doing it and wanted to say thank you to all our wonderful staff”.
“As well as making the collage for our staff, Year 7 has been spreading a little happiness this week by sending a message to a member of staff they thought had really helped them. I have passed some messages on their behalf and the staff were so surprised and pleased to receive them. I am really proud there are so many kind and thoughtful young people in my year group.”
Thank you Year 7, your efforts and work are really appreciated.
All work and no play! Our students’ messages from lockdown
Working and Learning at home
Year 9 Head of Year nomination
Mrs Wilkins commented, “Please see the attached letter from St Luke’s about Ellie’s recent fundraising activities for them. Ellie has also been involved in many in school volunteering activities this year, including being 9TJW Tutor representative on the School Council and helping me to run the Heroes Friday Drop in group.”
Well Done Ellie a much deserved student of the week and you’ve also been an absolute star in Edu-care, keeping everyone smiling over the weeks.
Post 16 Nominations
Lots of nominations from Ms Williams this week. First of all, Aliya in Year 12 has been chosen as a Student of the Week. She has been absolutely brilliant over lockdown. She has kept on top of all of her sociology and criminology work and is exceeding her target grades. She has been a real star.
The following sociology students are so engaged and involved in the sociology on-line classes that they also deserve a positive shout-out as Students of the Week:
Tabitha, Gaia, Anya, Katie, Zoe, Zoe, Aliya and Maddy.
Ms Williams added, “I really feel that this group of girls have been amazing – always in the on-line lessons and they send me their work and engage with me.”
Distance Learning
English
This week the English department has been getting creative with language. They have set Year 7 and 8 students the challenge of creating new words and have asked them to take a word selfie. We’re hoping that by next Sunday we’ll be inundated with interesting new vocabulary! To help students to visualise this word work, they have created a department word selfie power point.
Year 8 200 word writing challenge
8xBerra have done some lovely writing this week – based on a picture of a shipwrecked boat.
I’m sure you will agree both pieces below create an atmospheric written impression of the image, in 200 words, no mean feat.
Well done to Spike and Emilia, students of the week
Art
This week’s gallery contributions come from Mr Hurd-Thomas who wanted to share with you some of the fantastic art work that students have been doing at home.
Literally loads this week;
Firstly these pictures are from Jess Y11, done in her own time during lock down. The logo is for her stepdad and brother’s new carpentry business. So amazing the journey Jess has been on at Plymstock – she has made such immense leaps in her confidence.
Next we have Ollie in Y7’s response to the theme “Order and Chaos; spin paintings made by attaching a canvas to a power tool and throwing paint at it.
And finally Mr Hurd-Thomas said the following,
“I set all the Art classes across the school an Activity Week Challenge – to say thank you with their nose. This is inspired by the artist Alexander Calder and his Nose Puppets.
I have had LOADS (65 at last count) but these ones are just a few.
And the thank-yous are for their teachers, for their families, and for key workers everywhere.
Many thanks go to Mr Hurd-Thomas and the students for their enthusiastic contribution and fantastic work to pay tribute to all of these people.
Pictured below is the amazing and talented work of some of our Year 7 and 8’s: Addison, Alex, Alfie, Amber, Casey, Dylan, Ella, Amelia, Esme, Evie, Gibson, Grace, Isla, Jakob, Jessica, Keenan, Lara, Lyla, Maisy, Mitchell, Morgan, Nat, Polly and Sophia
History- Hard Boiled Humanities – Activities week
To celebrate the end of a hard and somewhat unconventional term, the History Department has run its Hard-boiled Histories Challenge several months late. The entries will be coming in from Years 7 and 8 until the end of term but Mr Withey wanted to share the efforts of Casey in Year 7.
These are from our activities week, all in the name of fun, pictured below are historical scenes recreated: Megan – The Moon Landings and Ethan – Churchill
They have caused a lot of smiles when it was submitted.
Keep them coming in!
Mr Withey’s other student of the week is Grace in Year 7 for her outstanding Armada Essay
Mrs Wilkins received the following entry for the Hard-boiled Humanities competition she set for her Year 8 History classes this week. This entry is from Addison in Y8. She was very impressed with this work and the subject matter is perfect to reflect the anniversary of the NHS this week.
Mrs Wilkins’ Student of the Week, superb work
MFL NEWS
Star researcher of the week goes to Tilly in Y9 Travel and Tourism for her excellent research and beautiful presentation of it. She has done all the continents – her Europe is pictured below.
Y9 GCSE German have been learning the school topic and working really hard at developing their opinions to become more complex. Some excellent work here from Ana, Luke, Polly and Ben
Défi Croque-Monsieur
There is still time to enter our latest competition the croque Monsieur Challenge – details are on SMHW for KS3. The deadline is Tuesday 14th July (Bastille Day – the French National Holiday).
Ms Baker says, “Here’s my favourite so far from Adam in Y7, whose mum says “I can personally vouch they were yummy!”
Miss Ellis told me this week that she “Just wanted to give a shout out and name my star of the week to Keenan in 8xFrYealm for being such a superstar during lockdown and always completing his work to a high standard and on time. He has been trying so hard.”
H&Sc/Life Ed
Mrs Dover has sent in the images below. At the moment, Mrs Dover, Mrs Slade and Mrs Littler are all busy planning some additional Mental Health support which we will be providing to students in September when they return to school.
This will complement the already outstanding Life Education, EPiC and pastoral curriculums in place, with COVID-19 specific work. We really are aware of the need to support our students as they return to the new normal. We want them to feel as safe as possible, cared for and listened to.
Mrs Dover explains, “The images can be found on the ‘Action for Happiness Website’ – simple, easily achieved strategies to support Mental Health and Wellbeing and promoting resilience for our community.”
And her quote of the day from one of our students – “Please can you send me the extension work”.
She said, “The quote was from one of my Year 10 Students. This week their task was to review all the Show My Homework Activities I have set since Lockdown and to create their own ‘Progress Tracker’ and assess how much they have achieved since March. I have also been messaging the students weekly on SMHW and told them that I have extension work should they wish to continue with their work over the summer – thus I was really pleased to receive the request for the extension work.”
“I’ve really enjoyed working with all my students and so pleased with their attitude and resilience to the challenges they have faced.”
EPiC – Spirited Arts Project
This is the beautiful piece of work sent in by Ella for the sacred arts project. She is in Year 7. Mrs Slade thought that it should go in the blog to celebrate her creativity and for others to enjoy this creation too.
This is the work sent in by Mahi also in Year 7, again a piece of work to be celebrated for its thoughtfulness and beautiful presentation.
Mrs Slade told me, ”I’m really impressed with the work of both these students. Their work shows an incredible amount of thought, creativity and dedication to be the best they can be.”
PE
Lily in Year 7 sent Mrs Hughes the picture below….she made it with her nan!
Mrs Hughes has nominated Lily as Student of the Week as she has been completing her PE challenges and sending in pictures every week without fail – she been an absolute star.
D&T
Miss Stevenson has sent in the results of the cooking competition, which we mentioned in the blog dated 12 June.
Round 2 was a demonstration of presentation skills. This amazing creation and worthy winner is pictured below.
We are in to the final round now and the contestants have been set the challenge of making a dish that includes tomatoes, potatoes and onions.
Students of the week
All our winners have demonstrated Endeavour, Resilience and Empathy; Plymstock School students striving to “Be the best you can be”
Our winners include:
The following students mentioned in the blog have received nominations as Year 7 students of the week:
Mahi, Megan, Grace, Casey, Ethan, Ella, Lily and Ollie
The following students mentioned in the blog have received nominations as Year 8 students of the week:
Addison, Spike and Emilia
The following students mentioned in the blog have received nominations as Year 9 students of the week:
Dulcie and Ellie
The following students mentioned in the blog have received nominations as Year 11 students of the week:
Jess
The following students mentioned in the blog have received nominations as Year 12 students of the week:
Tabitha, Gaia, Anya, Katie, Zoe, Zoe, Aliya, and Maddy
Careers@PlymstockSchool
Careers Insight – Civil Engineering
Civil engineering is a professional engineering discipline.
Nowadays, we associate civil engineering with the world’s most jaw-dropping structures, such as Sydney Opera House, the Shard and the Golden Gate Bridge!
There are two types of civil engineering roles within the various specialisms: consultants who focus on design work and generally spend more time in the office or working with clients, and contractors who are more involved with keeping an eye on the physical construction and are usually based on-site.
Essential skills and qualities required for civil engineering include: creativity, versatility, a problem-solving mind, and the ability to understand the bigger picture and to work with a number of other professionals.
Many thanks
The Careers Team
