Weekly Newsletters

Political Debate/Mock Bar trial

Last week we had two events that have really engaged a wide range of people in democracy and British values. 

On Friday afternoon, we hosted a political debate with thanks from the following party candidates who came to answer specially selected questions from the 200 students from our school and visitors from Queen Katherine Academy, Thomas Deacon Academy and Discovery Academy:

1. Paul Bristow (Conservative party candidate)
2. Lisa Forbes (Labour party candidate)
3. Mike Green (Brexit party candidate
4. Becki Sellick (Lib Dem party candidate)
5. Joseph Wells (Green party candidate)

It was a really inspiring afternoon and heartening to see so many young people listen to and responding with clear passion about the political view points of the candidates.  I wish to thank the candidates for taking time to engage with their new and future voters.

This was followed up by a Mock Bar Trial on Saturday where a group of our sixth formers engaged in a mock trial competition against others school across the country.  Whilst we did not win the event, the students gained invaluable experience of the processes of courts and the law processes.

On behalf and the students, I wish to thanks Mr Abbott and Ms Mayfield for going the extra mile to organise these events.

Foxcovert road

Could I please urge parents/carers dropping off and picking their children down Foxcovert Road that they afford the courtesy and respect to the residents by not parking cars so that it blocks the entrance to their homes.  Thank you for respecting other people’s living area as you would want for your own home. 

Conduct outside of school

May I remind parents/carers and students that any poor behaviour to and from school can be sanctioned by the school under the Education Act.  We expect students to be in full uniform travelling to and from school and this includes wearing ties and shoes. Students have been warned that we do not accept them changing into alternative clothing to go home at the end of the school day and their conduct will be judged by members of the public.  

Equally, as a school, we have a duty of care to ensure that our school community is a safe and secure place to learn, free from the threat of anything that may harm anyone. We work with partner agencies to ensure our students attend a safe school and reassure all our stakeholders that we are proactive and unapologetic in our approach to ensuring a safe community for the young people we serve.  

Congratulations to former apprentices 

On Thursday three of our apprentices were presented by myself their level 3 or level 4 apprenticeship certificates.  Not only have they reached this high standard after two years with us, but due to their contribution to the school we have employed them as full time employees inside the school.  Congratulations to:
Miss Kingston (Not pictured)
Miss Martin
And 
Miss Jones

Bryan Erwin
Principal

10 hours of Sport

The first, is the 10 hours of Sport, which is taking place on Friday 6th December. This event is for students in years 7, 8 and 9. The day begins at 7am, finishes at 5pm and will take place at KSCS. 
There are currently 125 students signed up, with only 25 spaces remaining. The participants take part in a range of sporting activities throughout the day, further details are included in the letter (copies available at reception) 

To obtain a place you can pay (£20) online and collect a permission letter from reception, equally you can return cash to the school. Places are allocated on a first come first served basis. 

Dorset Walk

The second, is the Dorset Sponsored Walk. This event is open to all students from years 9 through to 13. The dates are Thursday 9th – Monday 13th July 2020. To take part in this event a letter needs to be collected from reception and a deposit of £20 paid to secure a place (online or in cash), the total cost is £100. Again, places are now very limited with only 10 spaces now available, these will be offered on a first come first served basis. This event will form your activity day choice.

Both of these events raise money for the Malcolm Whales Foundation, a local cancer charity. This coming year the major project is to donate 50k to refurbish the Robert Horrell Cancer Wellbeing Service at Peterborough Hospital. The funds from both of these events will go towards this project. 

More information on the charity is available at www.tmwf.co.uk or through Facebook/Twitter/Instagram.
 

Mr D Whales
Vice Principal

Mrs C Read
Head of Year 7

We always consider that having a good home school partnership, is imperative within Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5.

There will be a second Year 10 progress evenings in June 2020 (Tuesday 16/6/20 and Wednesday 17/6/20), 
to update you on your son/daughters progress this academic year.  Ms Sothmann (Head of Year 10) will send an emailed letter to confirm the timings of this event in May 2020.

I also wanted to confirm the new GCSE levels, which were introduced by the exam boards in 2017.  This information is below:
 

Mrs H Boughton
Assistant Principal

A BUSY WEEK AHEAD FOR PERFORMING ARTS

All members of Performing Arts team are gearing up for our busiest week of the year; one we hope you will be able to join in with us by attending one, or more performances.

The Snowman Project, Wednesday 4 December – Peterborough New Theatre (formerly ‘The Broadway Theatre’)

On Wednesday the school choir will be taking part in a series of performances in collaboration with the Peterborough Youth Orchestra and the Peterborough Music Hub. ‘The Snowman Project’ is a multimedia concert where audience members will not just hear some of their Christmas Favourites played live by members of Peterborough Youth Orchestra but also includes a wonderful opportunity to see a screening of the Raymond Briggs classic Christmas film accompanied by narrator and a live orchestra. There is even a chance to meet the Snowman himself! The choir will be singing the iconic “Walking in the Air” as part of the Snowman screening (with Emily Richardson from year 9 taking the role of our very own Aled Jones) as well singing many of your Christmas Carol favourites in an arrangement titled “Christmas Festival”. 

Throughout the day we will perform to over 3000 people with two primary school concerts. This will be followed by a public performance at 6.30pm. This is a wonderful opportunity to get into the festive spirit and tickets are selling fast with an expected full house. If you would like to join us tickets are available through the New Theatre Box Office or online at https://www.newtheatre-peterborough.com/events/the-snowman/

Werrington Community Christmas ‘Big Sing’, Friday 6 December  – Ken Stimpson Assembly Hall, 12noon

Our traditional annual Community Christmas event where the Ken Stimpson choir will join with students from Werrington Primary, William Law, Welbourne and Marshfields Schools in a performance of some of your favourite Christmas songs. Supported by the Peterborough Music Hub, and accompanied by a live band, this year’s songs include “Frosty the Snowman”, “Last Christmas” and “Step into Christmas”. The performance will last approximately 30 minutes. Admission is free with doors opening at 11.40am.

Ken Stimpson Community School Christmas Concert and “The Wizard of Oz”

Our school Christmas Showcase in a new format. Come along and really get into the festive mood with a combined event encompassing our Christmas Concert with our annual School Production. This year the first halve will feature the School Choir and A Cappella groups alongside our Community Choir and Rock Bands in a selection of favourite songs and Christmas medleys. Then, after the interval, join with Dorothy, Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion in a magical journey along the Yellow Brick Road to a faraway land with Wicked Witches, Flying Monkeys, Munchkins and a Wizard as, in its eightieth anniversary year, we present our version of “The Wizard of Oz”. Tickets are priced at £5.00 each and available on the door or in advance online at www.ticketsource.co.uk/kscs. 

These are just three of our events coming in December, watch out in the newsletter for more future events including our Community Cinema screening of “Elf” and other opportunities to join in Christmas with the Ken Stimpson Performing Arts Faculty.

Mr R Norman
Head of Performing Arts Faculty

Students had to write an application as to why they wanted to apply for an Ambassador Role at Ken Stimpson, roles ranged from Head Girl/Head Boy, English Ambassadors to Digital Leaders. All students attended an interview with their Head of Year or Faculty too.  All students delivered a very well planned and rehearsed interview. 
Congratulations to all students, I am very much looking forward to working with Student Council this year and seeing what new ideas our Ambassadors bring to this academic year!

Mrs J Purdy