Ski Andorra 2020

The annual ski trip with 43 students from Years 8-11 and six staff went to Andorra during the half term break. Andorra is an extensive ski destination naturally split into two ski areas connected by a sophisticated lift system. The areas of Pas De La Casa, Grau Roig and Encamp resorts are fantastic and are some of the highest in the Pyrenees. They all boast stunning views and beautiful runs, which flow all the way down to Lake Pessons.

Our ski party took to the slopes and our beginner and intermediate groups were spoilt for choice – Soldeu and El Tarter. These offered a fantastic choice of blue and red runs from the highest point in the resort at 2,560m, right down to the village centres, whilst Grau Roig and Pas de la Casa both featured a good selection of blues and reds, not to mention some steeper and more challenging runs down from the ridge.

The advanced skiers also had a blast here – with plenty of mileage and a fully inter-linked ski-lift system that allowed for easy travel from resort to resort. They were able to sample a little of everything, from the tree-lined runs in lower Soldeu and towards El Tarter, to the open face of Pas de la Casa. The group in the evenings had a full après-ski programme which included swimming, resting their weary bones in the local thermal spa, quiz night, an authentic pizza evening and a night of tax-free shopping.

At the end of the week awards were given out to the ‘Most improved skier’ and Skiers skier’. Those who won were:

Most improved skier:
Molly W
Flori P
Jake P
Toby J
Skiers Skier:
Ben M
Kassie M
Felix S & Kate P
Fern S & Harrison

Many memorable memories were made during this fabulous trip. A big thank you goes to staff that went with the students (Mr Campbell, Ms Evans, Mrs Harris, Mrs Tyrrell and both Mr Taylor’s).

The ski trip for next year is full, however planning has already started for 2022 – more details to follow in September.

Year 13 Criminology students visited the Magistrates’ Courts

The Year 13 Criminology students recently visited the Magistrates’ Court in Plymouth, to witness how a real court operates on the daily basis. The trials they saw varied considerably, depending on the day they went, and this is exactly how a court operates. They saw a range of cases as well as people being sent into custody. It is a stark reminder for students as to how important it is not to transgress from the laws in society and is a valuable lesson in life. In addition, it helps them to understand the working of the Criminal Justice System, which is a vital element of their course.

One student, Merito D, was lucky enough to be able to sit on the Magistrates’ Bench as a ‘Chair’ with two real Magistrates as ‘Wingers’. Unfortunately, Merito was not allowed to deal with any real cases!

More creative castle builders from the History Department 7 Claig

Students have been studying the theme of governments and control both past and present, part of which includes the development of towns and castles.

The Normans use of castles has always been a great excuse for creativity and another group of hardworking students’ work is included below. Grace, Charlotte, Abi, Ocean, Summer, Erin and Esme

Trampoline Club

The trampoline club has been running on a Thursday for the last two terms and as a school, we are extremely fortunate to have great facilities and many willing coaches to help run the club. The session had a very relaxed feel where students could choose to work on their own moves or decide to follow the British Trampoline Awards (Level 1 – 10). Most students enjoyed the challenge of working through the awards, which required a high level of consistency and control to pass each move and routine. Some of our more able students will be given the option to study the sport at GCSE level, with the more confident leaders being invited to coach in the future.

Well done to all the following students who received a certificate for each award they passed:

Year 7
Alex G – 5,6,7,8: Ben C – 5,6,7: Jake D – 6,7,8,9: Brody S – 5,6: Elis OM – 6,7: Maxx H – 3,4,5,6: Lara M – 5,6,7: Rebecca H – 5,6: Lily P – 8,9: Isabella W – 5,6: Jessica N – 6,7: Elle E – 6,7,8: Polly D – 6,7,8,9: Isla L – 3,4,5,6,7,8: Anna T – 3,4,5,6: Maddie J – 6,7,8: Jazzmine A – 5: Olivia J – 4,5: Grace F – 5

Year 8
Zuzanna S – 6: Yasminne P – 6: Scarlett S 5: Elise N – 8: Esme S – 5,6,7: Dulci HJ – 8: Angeline K – 6: Cyrena W – 6,7: Anoushka I – 6: Zoe T – 7: Brianna M – 6: Charlie B – 7: Olivia F – 7: Evie B – 7: Lucy H – 6,7: Natasha P – 7: Phoenix E – 6: Rowenna m – 5

Year 10
Katie L – 8

Pictured below are: The Year 7 Club coaches and members, Lily with her level 9 award and Dulci , Immy , Lauren , Livvy and Kate . Missing Jess (Lauren and Kate are Silver Ambassadors)

I should like to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to my amazing coaches whom, without their help the club could not run. Each week they tirelessly help me set up the four trampolines, run fun warm up games, lead stretches and coach one to one on each bed. You really are a credit to the school.

Mrs Campbell

3v3 basketball tournament

35 Year 7 boys and girls turned up after school to play in a voluntary 3v3 basketball tournament. The matches were played in a great spirit and after lots of hard fought matches; the team of Tyler, Jack and Theo from 7AJC were the overall winners.

Well done to all those who took part and a reminder that basketball club for Year 7 is on every Wednesday from 3.10-4.30pm in the tented sports hall.

Mr Campbell

Cookies!

These Year 7 students (Luke, Joel, Archie, Ashton and Wezlee) planned which ingredients they were going to use and chose a suitable method to make cookies. This week they had their practical lesson.

We had great fun and Mr Chivers was the cookie taster, lucky him! Thanks goes to Ms Stevenson in DT for making this possible.

Miss Matthews and Mrs Pearsall

Careers@PlymstockSchool

This week our Careers Insight focuses on Entrepreneurship.

Examples of entrepreneurs are everywhere. McDonald’s was founded by an entrepreneur. Facebook was built by an entrepreneur. Coca Cola was launched by an entrepreneur. Name a famous company, and there was an entrepreneur behind it!

How can you tell if the life of an entrepreneur is for you? There are some certain qualities and values that most successful entrepreneurs share. While they don’t guarantee success, certain entrepreneurial characteristics lay a strong foundation for life of risk-taking and reward!

Entrepreneurs are self-reliant and always remain resilient. They enjoy being responsible for their own success and strive to create something that will last.

5 Top Tips from the founder of Virgin – Richard Branson.

1. Think about what drives you
When you’re considering which idea to turn into a business, think about the subjects and problems that interest you most. Is there an industry you love? A talent you have? A cause that you are 110 per cent behind? Don’t start a business just because you think it’ll turn a profit; if you’re not in love with the idea, you won’t move mountains to make it happen.

2. Start at your doorstep
Now that you have decided on the area you’d like to focus on, look around. What is the market missing that it desperately needs? Which services do you and your friends use that are lacklustre and could be hugely improved? Think about how your business could help your street, your neighbourhood and your city. From there, you might someday expand to bigger markets.

3. Listen to good advice
When you’re just starting out, you should ask those with experience in your field for advice, especially your parents. But be careful not to confuse discouraging comments for good advice. Lots of people will tell you that your idea won’t work, or that it has been done before. When I started out, I lost count of the people who told me that I wouldn’t succeed.

4. Stay focused – and motivated
You need to dream big and have big goals too, but in your first year, concentrate on establishing your business and surviving. Keep your eyes on the prize and on day-to-day operations, setting small targets for each day, then each week, each month, each quarter and each year. Write them down and then tick them off!

5. Love what you do
Whatever you’re doing in business, it should be fun. That has always been a priority at Virgin, and it’s a vital component of our success. I love what we do, our employees love what we do, and so our customers love what we do, too.

Other helpful websites:

https://www.princes-trust.org.uk/help-for-young-people/tools-resources/business-tools

https://www.careerpilot.org.uk/information/a-job-or-career/find-out-about-entrepreneurship-and-self-employment

Many thanks
The Careers Team

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:

Isobel in Year 7 has been nominated for her incredible resilience. We are really proud of her. Her friend Faith in addition has been nominated for supporting her.

Finley in Year 8 for the student of the week: He has been working very hard in English and challenging himself in both his reading and writing. It is a pleasure to see the confidence growing in this young man.

Will is a student in Year 9 who is always polite and helpful – he has often supported new students at the school to help them settle in. He has great positive relationships with staff and is very popular among his peers.

Oliver and Matthew have attended their Skills Development Transition Days this week at Plymouth City College. They were both a credit to Plymstock School and their parents. Mrs Pitcher and Ms Baker could write so many positives about the 3 days.

In Year 10 Dedan. He has been nominated by Mr Rogers, his Computer Science teacher for achieving 100% in his recent mini-mock exam.

The following students took part in a recent student voice. The external reviewer said they were outstanding, and they were her ‘take away’ from the experience. It was an honour to sit with them and hear how passionate they are about our school and the support they received from their teachers. We are very proud of all of them. A picture will appear next week, this week they have been busy with their Year 13 mock examination.

Year 12 : Leo, Jack, Katie, Abigail
Year 13: Emily, James, Martha, Genevieve

And finally…

FRENCH POP VIDEO COMPETITION
(Organised by the ‘Institut Français du Royaume-Uni’) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/french-pop-video-competition-2020-registration-83668144673

Get ready to take your mike and shoot a clip!

Do you think you could sing or rap in French? Do you have the skills to make a video clip for your original song?

If so, this competition is for you!

Who: All students in UK schools + Channel Islands, from 7 to 18 years of age

What: School French music-video contest

When: Submit your video by 3rd April 2020

The competition is open to both individual and group entries.

The song has to be original, but it does not have to be complicated. Students can just drum a simple beat on a table with their hands; write a simple poetry piece in French that they rap or slam in a spoken-word style over the rhythm. Maybe one student who plays the guitar or the piano will be happy to add a few notes over that, et voilà!

There is absolutely no obligation for the students to appear on the video. The content of the video is entirely free; the only requirement is that it has to be original, like the song. Be creative!

Forthcoming Events

World Book Day
Thursday 5 March