Dear parent/carer,
In last week’s update, we completely forgot to share with you how our ski trip went during the Easter holidays – thank you to the parent who pointed our omission out! Over Easter we took 45 students to France for a week’s skiing. We are really pleased to report that the snow was fantastic and that our students were an absolute credit to the college, conducting themselves superbly throughout. The trip is always heavily oversubscribed and for good reason; it is an amazing opportunity, really reasonably priced and provides a fantastic skiing opportunity for both novice and experienced skiers.
We held our first ‘Dimensions’ Performing Arts evening on Wednesday and it was a night to remember, with students across all year groups performing – from monologues to musical theatre numbers to dances – both solo, paired and in groups. The level of talent, courage and skill on display was phenomenal and we felt incredibly proud to have so many true artists at Newton Abbot College. The evening also allowed our exam year group students to complete their coursework to an incredibly high standard. It was wonderful to see so many parents/carers and family in attendance to support the evening; your presence and applause was much appreciated by all our performers.
The Year 11 Languages Speaking and Listening ‘real’ GCSE exams started this week and are now well under way. Students have been punctual and diligent in their approach to the exams and have performed really well so far. A huge well done to them – and good luck to those who have their exam next week. We have also had GCSE Art & Photography exams taking place this week, which see students take part in ten hours of exam over two days during which they produce a final exam piece in response to a brief. It is a really intense experience for the students, but the initial signs of the work they have produced is of really high quality so well done to all of them.
Following on from the very successful Gold Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition on Dartmoor last weekend, more students have headed off today on their Silver Duke of Edinburgh practice expedition which is an essential part of their preparation for their final expedition after half term. Fingers crossed the weather will stay dry and bright for them.
This Wednesday we had over 100 students from our primary schools with us to try some striking and fielding sports. Again our sports leaders were outstanding and the primary staff could not speak highly enough of them. Unfortunately this week we have had two fixtures cancelled, however our summer extra-curricular clubs are fully up and running with more and more students attending Athletics, Cricket, Rounders and Tennis club. This is great to see and as the weather continues to improve we can’t wait to see more students at these clubs.
Thank you to all the parents/carers who attended the year 10 parents’ evening last night. Our year 10 students are over a third of the way through their GCSE courses, so it is incredibly important that home and college work together to ensure that they achieve their very best. Year 10 will have mock exams in the summer term which will give a good indication of their predicted success in their exams in a year’s time, so it is important they are making the most of their learning by being punctual, attentive and completing any homework set.
Have a lovely weekend.
Amy