Key Notes: 30 January 2023

27th January 2023

GCSE Science Live!

On Friday, 30 students from Years 10 and 11, visited the Cambridge Corn Exchange for the GCSE Science Live event. The first speaker was Dr Giles Yeo a geneticist at Cambridge University. He spoke about whether obesity is a choice or is influenced by your genes. Next Dr Hannah Critchlow, also from the University of Cambridge, gave a talk on ‘Joined up thinking in the brain’ – How can we make better use of our brain power?  Some volunteers joined her on stage and were wired up to follow their brain waves! The audience also participated and was asked to run on the spot and then take their pulse to demonstrate the vagal nerve.

An examiner then gave a talk about how to achieve the highest grades in GCSE exams. He was followed by Professor Alice Roberts who presents ‘Digging for Britain’ on BBC2. She talked about archegenomics – How we can take DNA from things that are dug up and analyse them to get information about our ancestors.

After lunch, we listened to Professor Jim Al-Kahlili (of Radio 4 fame) talk about wormholes and time travel. Professor Andrea Sella then spoke about how Zebras got their stripes - chemical reactions of course!

Year 11 student, Thalia said "I really enjoyed listening to the scientists speak. Hannah Critchlow talking about the brain was the one I found most interesting."

All the teachers were very impressed with the way the students represented MVC. Mrs Mayhead said “It was a brilliant experience that proved to be both inspiring and informative – and a real pleasure to be out with such a well-behaved group."

Forthcoming Events

February:

• 1^st February: School closed to students due to teacher strike action
• 3^rd February: Year 9 reports to parents
• 13^th-17^th February: Half Term
• 20^th February: Staff Training Day (school closed). Training day has moved from 30^th
• 24^th February: Vaccinations DTP and MenACWY Year 9. Sign up link

March:

• 10^th March: Year 7 Careers event
• 16^th March: KS4 Theatre trip
• 17^th March: Year 11 individual and group photos
• 20^th-24^th March: Science Week activities
• 20^th March: 11A GCSE food and nutrition practical exam
• 22^nd March: GCSE Drama exam
• 23^rd March: 11D GCSE food and nutrition practical exam
• 23^rd March: Year 8 Parents’ evening
• 27^th-29^th March: GCSE Geography residential trip
• 30^th March: Y10 Art exam
• 31^st March: Year 7 reports to parents/carers

Rail strike action

On Wednesday 1 and Friday 3 February 2023, train drivers of ASLEF will take strike action. There will be no Southern, Thameslink, Gatwick Express or Great Northern train service running in any location. As on previous strike dates, there will also be an impact to travel on the day after each strike date, 2^nd and 4^th February. Anyone needing to travel on these dates is advised to make alternative arrangements.

Trigg’s Charity Grant for MVC

We were delighted to learn that MVC has received a grant from the Trigg’s Charity to provide benches and planters for a new wildflower area at the college.  The school Eco Group had already identified an area for a wildflower meadow between the new Food Technology rooms and the George Edward building. Jake, a Year 11 Prefect, discussed the idea of picnic benches with site manager, Mrs Bloomfield, who completed the application. We are very much looking forward to making this project happen later in the year as the weather improves.

PE Fixtures timetable

• Wed 25^th January:       U/16 Basketball at Cambourne (Y10/11)
• Tues 7^th February:       Basketball at home after school (Y10/11)
• Tues 7th February:      Y8 District Cup Football v Trumpington
• Wed 1^st March:            Cluster fixture at home - Y7&9 netball, Y7&8 basketball

Year 7 Football Match – District Cup Village Collage vs Impington

Match report written by Harvey (Yr7 captain) and Harvey (Yr10 Sports Leader – Yr7 team manager)

On Monday 23^rd January, the Year 7’s first football match of 2023 was a great success as we won 6-1 with a great team performance.

In the first half, we started not as well as we could, but we grew into the game quickly as Finlay opened the scoring for us with some quick reactions off a powerful shot. Then we started to create more and more chances and in the end, Finlay scored a second! By the end of a decent second half, we were 3-0 up thanks to a goal by Leo - a great turn and finish.

The second half started with us in a good position and looking for more goals. We played some good football up in their third and consequently, we scored as Tyler slotted home from a one vs one. A little later we got a free kick that Harry stepped up to and delivered a good ball, where Leo touched it down and Finlay finished well into the bottom corner giving himself a hat trick and us a commanding lead. Unfortunately, a slip at the back led to Impington scoring their goal but we were cruising! Minutes later Ozzie danced past a tackle and played it to Harry in acres of space and he rocketed it into the bottom corner.

That goal was the last of the action and capped a decent team performance that resulted in the final score being 6-1. Well played boys!

PE after-school clubs

The Year 7 girls' football club after school is progressing well, the students are learning valuable football skills as well as life skills. They work incredibly hard and are looking forward to their
first match. 

Young Sports Leaders

This week in PE our Year 9 students have experienced a taste of the OCR Cambridge National Sport Studies course on offer next year. One aspect of the course involves pupils developing their skills as a performer in two different sporting activities and as a leader in one activity. Some of our year 9 students had the opportunity to plan, deliver and review safe and effective sporting activities for Year 7 students. It was fantastic to see such positive leadership qualities displayed by our Year 9 students including motivating younger students to achieve in PE!

GCSE netball moderation with KJAR

On Monday we were joined by Year 10 and 11 students from King James Academy in Royston to complete part of the GCSE PE Netball moderation. The session was used for students to play netball to a high ability and for the teachers to compare grades.This was a great opportunity for the students and will provide them with experience for the final moderation in the Spring with the examining board OCR.

Request from Sewing and Craft Club

For one of their projects for the next two terms, the sewing and craft club are hoping to create a crocheted granny-square/knitted-square blanket that can then be donated to a local charity. To achieve this, they are asking for your help with supplies. If anyone has any spare crochet hooks – size 4, knitting needles size 3 or 4 and wool (preferably DK), they would really appreciate it. Donations can be left at reception. Thank you very much for your support.

Post-16 Careers

The medical school application process can be long and at times complicated. To help guide students MMI.com have produced a free guide for students on everything including:

• The application process and timeline
• How to get Work Experience
• Personal Statement Writing
• Choosing a Medical School
• Admissions Tests (BMAT & UCAT)
• The Interview

The Medical School Application Guide can be downloaded here or contact MMI via email at medschoolmmicourse@gmail.com

Oxbridge Conference On Saturday 11th March, Culford School will be hosting the East Anglian Oxbridge Conference. Students in Years 11 or 12 from any school in the region can apply for a free place. Book now at: https://www.culford.co.uk/oxbridge-sign-up The event is designed to give students considering applying to Oxford or Cambridge Universities a real advantage with their application. It will involve hearing from admissions tutors, academics and current and former students with top tips on how to create the best application and what preparation to do. The keynote speaker this year is Mr Mike Nicholson, Director of Admissions and Recruitment at the University of Cambridge. There will be advice on interviews and admissions tests and how to craft an excellent personal statement. It will also give valuable insight into what it is like to study at two of the world’s best institutions and why it is worth going the extra lengths to secure a place. Students will be able to choose a subject that they are interested in and take part in an Oxbridge-style seminar with an academic.
CTSN SCITT Internship Programme 2023 CTSN SCITT is offering a three-week teaching internship programme during June 2023, and we are now open for applications until 17th April 2023. Internships are a fantastic way to experiment with potential career ideas, gain experience, and get paid!   This scheme is open to undergraduate students who are studying a related degree and interested in teaching one of these subjects: chemistry, computing, modern foreign languages (French, German and Spanish), mathematics and physics. See the poster below for more information.
Herts Music Service – Choir Does your child like to sing?  Royston Music Centre has started a new choir with the Herts Music Service on a Tuesday after school for children aged 8-13. Children can come and try their first session for free to see if they like it.
County Lines See the poster below for more information about the FREE webinar for parents who want to know more about County Lines in their area and recognise the signs.  Date: Wednesday 1st February - 7.00pm - 8.30pm

Year 9 Art

Year 9 students have created some outstanding work based on their ‘Day of the Dead’ project. They have been practising watercolour techniques alongside pen and wash skulls.

Science noticeboard

The current theme is Chemistry – the development of crystallography to discover structure of atoms, and periodic table of elements (with pictures of the elements’ uses).

Vacancies

We are currently advertising the following vacancies on our website:

• Teacher of Humanities and PSHE
• Cover Supervisor
• Senior IT Technician
• Teacher of D&T and/or Food Tech
• Level 1 Teaching Assistant
• Cabin Level 1 Teaching Assistant

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