Principal’s Newsletter: October 2009

Dear Parent/Carer,

We have had a very good start to the academic year with students looking smart and being complimented upon their good manners and behaviour.  The staff and students were particularly pleased with the summer examination results.  I was very proud of the college in August as the results were announced and we found that we had once again improved upon previous results and beaten all the targets set for, and by, us. This continual improvement is only as a result of the total professionalism of my staff and the terrific effort from our students.  Our aim is not to be good but to be outstanding.  To achieve this we are continuing to develop strategies to enable the students to achieve their best.

·         Highest ever pass rate at GCSE, 68% of students got 5 A* - C Grades

·         56% of students got 5 GCSE's including Maths and English - 3% better than the National Target

·         10% increase in GCSE pass rate over 2 years

·         A Levels (AS / A2) grades are steadily improving -7.5% more students got A*

It is also very important to give students the correct environment and opportunities whilst at school and to ensure they feel valued.  One of the ways in which this has been achieved is through our new catering facilities.  Innovate are a national company who, working with the college, have redeveloped all of our catering outlets into modern, street style venues with a wide ranging and delicious menu.  The feedback from students (and staff) has been very positive.  As well as improving the catering during August we also invested in new classrooms and the improvement of others. Thousands has been spent to ensure the college is a pleasant and efficient place to work.  At present we are engaged in the upgrade of our college curriculum network which will prepare us for the future developments in I.C.T.

Our evening courses for adults have begun with parents meeting the Maths and ICT coordinators to learn about the curriculum in those subjects so that they can assist their children. Our ECDL course remains popular and GCSE Maths and Numeracy classes are full.  After half term there are a range of classes beginning including a Book Club, Art and Scriptwriting classes.  For more information contact Richard Childs at the college.

The college continues to be as dynamic as ever.  Recently we held the premier of a film, Think Deep”. The film, sponsored by East Devon District Council, has been created to teach students about sustainable use of our fish stock and will be distributed to schools across the south west.  It was scripted by James Chubb, East Devon Education Ranger, and Mr Eynon, our Head of Geography, and featured three college students as presenters who also worked with Michelin starred chef, Michael Caines, as part of the final sequence.  This project brought together members of the local fishing community, the local council, the college and a local TV company to produce a stunningly professional film.

This term has again seen our “outstanding” PE dept. send teams off to victory. There will be full coverage in the next edition of the college newspaper, The Reporter, which will be published in December.

I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about just some of the things in which students have been involved and for which I thank the staff, friends and partners of the college without whom these things would not be possible.  Army Day at the college was a success with 50 students working with Staff Sergeant Roy Penhallurick on fitness and other challenges. 

Year 12 boys took part in the tough Royal marine Commando challenge on October 1st 2009. Despite fierce competition from other participating schools our lads come out as winners and were presented with an impressive trophy that will soon be on display.   Year 10 experienced “Bright Futures” Industry Days which the presenters said were the best days they had had in any school.  Year 11 have their Work Experience during the week leading up to half term.  I would like to thank all the local business who have provided places for our students.

Open Day was a pleasing success despite the weather!  We have had valuable feedback from many of our visitors and will be acting upon that for next year as we always do. Many of the displays and demonstrations were very impressive and clearly the staff and students put a great deal of work into the evening.  The college remains as popular as ever with prospective students.

We have been pleased to welcome many local people into the college to work with students to add depth to their educational experience including Mr Hugo Swire, MP for East Devon.  We have begun our new Year 9 Enrichment classes this year and this work has been supported by a wide range of visitors.

On October 17^th our Community Garden project began on a piece of unused land hidden behind the college buildings. We hope to see this joint project gradually transform an otherwise unused area. The college will be raising money for the “Think Pink” Breast Cancer charities in the week prior to half term with an evening concert for students and a mufti day on Friday 23^rd.

Continuing our wider support for students the Science Dept will be running revision classes over half term, the details of which have already gone to the appropriate students and parents. This is a reflection of our commitment to encouraging students to do their best and what we will continue to deliver for our examination students throughout the academic year.

At this stage I would like to mention the importance of this academic year for our Year 11 students.  100% attendance is so important to ensure the best possible chance to achieve well in public exams.  There are a number of important times for parents and year 11 students. Year 11 Reports are issued at the end of December and Parents Evening is on the 20^th January: please attend and find out how to support your child.  Year 11 Mock Exams begin on February 1^st and these are very important for exam preparation.  Next Half Term the new Post 16 Prospectus will be published and the Post 16 Recruitment (Find out about courses at P16) Evening is on Wednesday 25^th November.

Looking forward to the next half term we will be dedicating a beautiful stained glass window in memory of Pauline Hitchings, who, as a governor of the college, devoted an immense amount of time and energy to help in the development of the school for the benefit of the children.  The window, created by the staff and students of the art dept, is now in place in the Pauline Hitchings Building.  The dedication takes place on November 6^th. If you would like to attend please contact Mrs J Proctor at the college.

In our continuing partnership with Exmouth Raleigh Rotary Club we will present a fabulous music concert in the main hall on Wednesday 18^th at 7.00. p.m.  This concert is a showcase of the amazing musical talent at the college and includes pieces by our partner schools.  All types of music are included from pure pop to jazz and classical.  Do come along and help us raise money for charity: you will have a wonderful evening.

Finally, I have included some dates for your diary regarding next half term on the attached sheet.  I must give you advance notice that the college closes for students on December 18^th at 1.20 p.m. to allow for an end of term staff meeting.

Thank you for your support and I look forward to another exciting half term.

AK Alexander