Headlines by Andy Hodgkinson

7th December 2018 836

Duty Pupils

Thank you for all your help

Jay, Ruby, Tate, Morgan, Layla

& Harvey (8CFr), Charlotte,

Jacob, Daisy, Tilly, Eden &

Adam (8RPl), Katie & Charlie

(8MSi)

Pupil Services

GCSE Pod Resource

As I mentioned in an earlier edition of the Sweyne Park Times, we have invested in the

online GCSE Pod resource for our Year 11

pupils, and, now that the mock exams are finished, it is clear that many pupils have

found this additional resource really useful.

Consequently, in the New Year we will also

roll this out to Year 10 pupils so that they can make use of this facility.

End of Term Arrangements Please can I remind all parents and carers

that term finishes on Tuesday 18th

December at 12.30pm. Consequently, next

Friday’s edition of the Sweyne Park Times will be the last before we break up. As in

previous years, as part of Charity Week,

Tuesday 18th December will also be a non-school uniform day, with profits going to

GOSH and Plan UK. Thank you.

A member of the Leadership Team will be available to see parents without appointment:

9:00am-9:45am Monday - Friday

5:00pm-5:45pm Thursdays

Ed Hawkings reporting… Jack Petchey award winners were selected from the pupil nominations as usual. This term’s winners are: Owen (13YZh): Owen is an ambitious student committed to studying Biochemistry at university. He is a young carer and one of the Student Ambassadors for the Young Carers Group at Sweyne Park, which he was instrumental in establishing to recognise the support for people they care for. Owen also volunteers at a charity shop, where he helps people with a range of disabilities to improve their skill sets. Owen and Laura have combined their awards and will spend £250 on chemistry equipment and £250 on a trip for Young

Carers in July to an outdoor adventure facility. Laura (13YZh): Laura is an outstanding Year 13 student who aspires to study Biochemistry at university. Laura is a role model and extremely supportive of others. She is a Young Carer and is one of the founders of the Young Carers Group at Sweyne Park School, which has been established for young people to be recognised for the work they do in improving the quality of the lives of those they care for. Emma (13YZh): Emma is a conscientious student with great dedication and determination. Emma is also a subject ambassador for Chemistry, Biology and Physics and is a Senior Prefect too. In these roles she has effectively helped young people to value discussions about their futures and positively contributed to our community. Emma also works with children with Special Needs and is one of the most caring and supportive young people you could wish to meet. Emma will spend her award on Physics equipment.

Armistice Prize Presentation On Tuesday we celebrated the fantastic entries to the

Library & History Departments’ Armistice competition with a prize presentation. It was really difficult to choose the

winners, but the results are as follows:

1st: Lawrence (8PGa) for his fantastic

research into his great-great-great

uncles who both sadly perished during the Battle of the

Somme.

2nd: Isla (7JTl) for her original WW1 poem from

a baker’s perspective.

3rd: Cody (9NGa), Grace (7DGo) & Poppy

(7FOn) for their amazing artwork, and for Poppy’s poem

too.

Highly Commended: Tilly (7DGo), Emily (7FOn), Abigail

(8MSm) & Joshua (8PGa) for their short story, artworks

and research respectively.

Prizes were Amazon vouchers, books, WW1 pins and sweets

and everybody who participated in the competition received a gold form and a sweet.

The winning entries and others are on display in the Library - please do call if you would like an appointment to take a

look at this wonderful reminder of all those who lost their

lives in the Great War.

SPS CHRISTMAS

CONCERT TUESDAY 11TH DECEMBER

6.30PM - MAIN HALL

TICKETS ARE AVAILABLE FROM

PUPIL SERVICES

£4 ADULTS, £3 CONCESSIONS

Jack Petchey Award Winners

Bone Cancer Research Trust Stamp Appeal

We are once again collecting used postage stamps. Please cut or carefully tear the stamped corner from any envelope or package that you receive. Just remember to leave a 1cm border around the stamp. Each 1kg of stamps the charity receive pays for an hour of life-saving research. Please bring the stamps to Main Reception and we will forward them to the charity in the New Year. Thank you for your support.

Christmas Lunch

Tuesday 11th & Wednesday 12th

December. Cost is £3.25. Tickets

available in advance from the school canteen. No additional

charge for pupils on Free School

Meals.

Nathan at B & M Stores

Media Studies Shelagh Badger reporting…

Media Studies - What is it actually about?

While Media Studies continues to be a popular choice at Sweyne Park, not everyone is clear about what it entails. Some people think that all you have to do to get a GCSE in it, is to watch a couple of films and colour something in!

So, let’s clarify a few misconceptions, now that we are heading towards the first examinations for the new 9-1 course.

Media Studies incorporates a whole range of content covering contemporary and historical issues, political theory, gender, economics, and uses texts such as printed adverts from the 1950s, current TV charity adverts, old and new music videos, traditional radio programmes, film posters, newspapers, magazines and websites, to explore them. Pupils are expected to develop an awareness of relevant events and issues that were present when texts were created, as well as today’s issues and be able to discuss the construction and composition of texts, as well as the meanings they carry with them.

One of the biggest hurdles for pupils to overcome is accepting that they are not always the target market for the different texts. Let’s face it, ‘The Archers’ is certainly not the first listening choice for many teenagers!

Along with the range of interesting and unusual set products pupils have to study, they must also become familiar with a range of theoretical perspectives about the structure and content of texts such as how they represent individuals and groups; who intended audiences actually are; and learn the key terminology, which is essential as it is in all GCSEs.

“I really enjoy studying Media because it is fun and I’ve gained skills I can use in everyday life.” Amy, Year 10

“I have enjoyed all of Media so far, but my favourite topic is advertising.” Jessica, Year 10

“I like learning about the denotations and connotations of adverts. It is interesting to see how the audience respond to the things in different ways.” Lucy, Year 10

“I enjoy learning about the history of media products and how they would have been interpreted in the past.” Leah, Year 10

“I really like Media because it is so modern and active, meaning we can be creative and influential.” Grace, Year 10