Mr Harvey will be sending out a longer correspondence on Tuesday detailing an end of term message, and key details for the new year.
Enrichment Week Recap
Last week students in Years 7 to 9 enjoyed a full schedule of activities and trips as part of their Enrichment Week. We hope you enjoy reading the activity and trip reports!
Careers Day
Veterinary science workshop with Mrs HopeMrs Hope led sessions on
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Demonstration of a pluck with lung attached illustrating the trachea, esophagus, bronchi and other features of the respiratory system, with Mrs Hope inflating the lungs to demonstrate the respiratory system in action.
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Students then had the opportunity to dissect parts of the lung tissue.
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How a heart works, and then students dissected some sample hearts.
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Dissecting and making liver cell slides, staining and observing on microscopes.
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Testing (pseudo) urine samples for evidence of - excess glucose, indicating potential diabetes and urine samples noting dehydrated animals.
BushyWood
A fantastic day had by all of year 7 on Tuesday. Running up climbing walls, building dens, hitting bullseyes (particularly Zara and Mr Handley) and rifle shooting where Maddie takes top shooter for hitting the water bottle and cup from distance and Sir getting closest to the bullseye once again!
Lots of excellent teamwork shown by the Year 9s on Thursday who came on the Bushy Wood trip. Great den and fire building with Oscar keeping the flames firing at a constant rate. Plenty of support for one another climbing up tricky walls with Charlie flying up both sides.
Science
A prompt start from Mr Duckworth got us out to The Observatory in plenty of time so that Jarvis could then explain all about Space-Time! Herstmonceux is home to a fine selection of telescopes of which we were privileged to see up close although the cloud cover did stop any exploration! The clouds and precipitation did little to dampen spirits or Jack’s inquisitive nature, unlike the water features outside which caused much merriment as water sprayed everywhere and on everyone!
On Wednesday we returned to school so as to begin building our self-propelled Mars Rovers. In the final race of the morning, Bradley’s team came out as victors with their model, “Jeff”. Later on we started launching rockets…firstly the air propulsion versions which Joseph nominated himself as chief launcher! Later on, the chemistry began as our rockets were fired to infinity and beyond using a mix of vinegar and bicarbonate of soda.
Thursday was our second visit to The Observatory Centre at Herstmonceux with excitable Jarvis showing off some more oversized telescopes. Ira and Loki embraced their respective roles as a star and our closest star, the sun!
Our year seven group were fabulous as a team and beat the year nine to build the fastest truss bridge - by over 30 seconds!!!
It turns out that despite the incredible brains involved in making of telescopes, their levels of imagination do not stretch as far as the telescopes can see! There is currently a large telescope being constructed in Arizona with a 39metre mirror…named “The Extremely Large Telescope”.
Butterfly farm
Only a short journey down the road to Ditichling students were able to enjoy the tropical temperatures of the butterfly tunnels. As soon as we walked into the tunnel we were surrounded by flutters of colours as different species of butterflies danced throughout.
Our students were privileged to be able to have their very own mini beasts show. We learnt about so many different bugs and insects.
Did you know some of the biggest stick insects come from China and grow up to 62cm long.
Some many of our students challenged themselves to handle the mini beast like cockroaches, leaf insects and African land snails to name a few.
Favourite quote from the day from a student ‘oh I didn't expect it to be slimy’ - whilst holding the snails.
Students followed up this trip with a workshop the following day on Spray Painting stencils. A collaborative piece using all their stencils can be seen in reception and each student had their own unique art pieces to take home.
Buzz Active
44 students took the short coach journey to Eastbourne Seafront and the Buzz Active site, on arrival all students had their safety briefing and got into the appropriate wetsuits, buoyancy aids and helmets, for some this was the first time putting a wetsuit on and proved to be a challenge.
The group were split into 3 mini groups and took part in different activities on the Princess Park Lake being windsurfing, kayaking and raft building. Some students managed to stay dry for long periods of time others didn’t, the fastest entry to exit of a kayak was under 1 second.
Students were really well behaved and great fun was had by all.
Docklands
Exploring History at the Portsmouth Historical Dockyard: A Day to Remember!
This past week, our school had the fantastic opportunity to visit the Portsmouth Historic Dockyard. I am thrilled to share that it was an enriching and unforgettable experience for our students. The day was filled with excitement, discovery, and a deeper appreciation for our maritime heritage.
Setting Sail on a Journey Through Time
From the moment we arrived, the students were captivated by the grandeur of the dockyard. The sheer size and historical significance of the ships docked there set the tone for a day of exploration. We began our journey with a guided tour of HMS Victory, Admiral Lord Nelson's flagship at the Battle of Trafalgar. The students were amazed by the ship's intricate design and the fascinating stories of bravery and strategy. Walking the decks where historical figures once stood made history come alive.
The dockyard offered a variety of interactive exhibits that kept the students engaged and eager to learn.
Diving into the Depths of the Mary Rose
Another highlight of our visit was exploring the Mary Rose Museum. The students were fascinated by the well-preserved artefacts from Henry VIII's warship, which sank in 1545. The combination of multimedia displays and the physical remains of the ship provided a comprehensive view of Tudor life and naval warfare. It was incredible to see the students so engaged, asking insightful questions and making connections between what they were seeing and what they had learned in their lessons.
Reflections and Takeaways
As we concluded our visit, it was clear that the day had made a lasting impression on the students. Many of them shared their reflections, expressing how the trip had deepened their understanding of British naval history and the importance of preserving such historical sites. Hearing them talk about their favourite parts of the day and how they planned to share their experiences with their families was heartwarming.
A Day Well Spent
Overall, our trip to the Portsmouth Historical Dockyard was a resounding success. It provided a perfect blend of education and entertainment, making history tangible and exciting for our students.
Battle
Short coach journey to a beautiful rural town. We started by walking around the trail outside the castle ruins and despite the persistent light rain the Y7 students set the tone by their consistent positive attitude and ability to enjoy themselves. We then ran up the hill the Normans would have done during their assault on the castle. Well the students did.The castle itself was interesting and atmospheric and we got a sense of what life must have been like back then. We climbed to the top of a tower to a viewing gallery from which we could see over the town and for miles around. The day concluded with a re-enactment of the battle, by Y7 students, directed by a lovely woman dressed in period costume, which was good fun. Then a short trip home on the coach. This was an enjoyable as well as educational day out.
Culture Kitchen
The year 9’s and 7’s did amazing in their cultural food making day. Lucas and Arlo really stood out with their outcomes and Izzy and Jayden were kind and caring to all in the class by helping and encouraging others and Louis, Luke and Joseph kept their team tidy and on track throughout. Well done culture crew!
Stay At School Groups
The students really enjoyed the Gem Art and Pom Pom sessions- they said it was better than double maths lessons! Some students also discovered that they are good at table tennis and became very competitive!
London Landmarks
On Thursday, we took a group of 40 enthusiastic 7s and 9s to London. We explored landmarks that have had an impact on rebellion and where major protests have occurred over the long history of the city. Our aim was to learn a little about why these statues exist and why, even now, they are remembered as significant cultural touchpoints in the world we live in today.
Chessington
Our Year 7 trip to Chessington World of Adventure was a fantastic success. The Sun shone brightly, creating a warm and pleasant atmosphere. Students enjoyed the thrilling rides, exciting attractions and shared laughter everywhere. Despite heavy traffic on the way home, spirits remained high and the coach was FILLED with enthusiastic singing, nearly all the way back! Overall students loved the freedom and adventure and seemed to have a wonderful day.
West End - Mrs Doubtfire
The Year 7 Trip to see Mrs Doubtfire at the Shaftesbury Theatre was a huge success. There was singing, dancing, lots of costume changes and a lot of laughter throughout. All students rated the show 4 or 5 stars in their post-show reviews. The students were an excellent audience for the show and were excellent ambassadors around the theatre and when engaging with theatre staff and the public. On Day 2 they made masks for a character of their choice and there have been some spectacular results.
Sports Day 2024
We've had a brilliant day at school today for the 2024 Sports Day! It was originally scheduled for 2 weeks ago but was rained out, however today the weather was lovely! Well done to all the students fer participating, and all the staff for running the sorts and activities! More pictures to come but here is a small sample!
Year 7 2025 Open Evening
Please note the date and times for our open evening in September. This event is for parents of year 6 students to come and view the school with their children prior to submitting their secondary school applications. More information and ticket registration details will be shared closer to the time.
Local Notice:
6 weeks of tree felling taking place in these woods from 12th August
https://www.laughtongreenwood.co.uk/tree-felling-august-2024
VACANCY
ATTENDANCE OFFICER
37 hours per week. Required to start asap
Permanent, TTO
Salary – KGA Pay Scale, Band 6, Points 9 to 13
Ie: £26073pa to £29777pa
We are looking for an Attendance Officer to start asap. 37 hours per week, term-time only.
The successful candidate will work with the Senior Leadership Team and the Pastoral Team to monitor and report on whole-school attendance data, analysing data to identify key areas of concern. To work closely with students, staff, parents and carers to reduce levels of absence and act appropriately when persistent absence becomes a safeguarding issue and to hold meetings with parents and students when required.
King's Academy Ringmer is a rural comprehensive with an ethos of "Kindness, Ambition, Resilience ". We have a simple but bold ambition, to be the best school in Sussex. We consider this to be our ‘journey to excellence’. We are on a positive trajectory towards this goal, with outcomes a third of a grade above national average. We have a strong reputation for our inclusion, pastoral care and a rapidly improving trend of results in terms of student attainment and progress. The Academy is part of King's Group Academies whose mission is to equip all students with the confidence, knowledge, skills and values that will enable them to thrive in the modern world. We anticipate exciting developments ahead working together with students, parents/carers and the wider community to build upon our strengths and make this an outstanding school.
What can we offer you?
• A chance to be at the forefront of educational development.
• An Academy with a positive ethos, motivated students and focus upon learning
• Excellent induction, support and staff development opportunities
• A beautiful, rural environment situated approximately 12 miles from the coastal city of Brighton and Hove
For full details and an application form can be download directly from our website: https://www.kgaringmer.uk/news/?pid=6&nid=2&storyid=4 or contact Amanda French on either 01273 815463 or amanda.french@kingsacademies.uk quoting job reference P/483. We offer a first class working environment with supportive colleagues and opportunities for career development.
King’s Academy Ringmer is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment. All posts within our Multi Academy trust are exempt for the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and therefore all applicants will be required to declare spent and unspent convictions, cautions and bind-overs, including those regarded as spent and complete an Enhanced Criminal Records Disclosure via the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)
Closing date for applications is Monday 5 August 2024 at 8.30am with the interview date on Monday 12 August 2024.
Year 7 2025 Open Evening
Please note the date and times for our open evening in September. This event is for parents of year 6 students to come and view the school with their children prior to submitting their secondary school applications. More information and ticket registration details will be shared closer to the time.
