John Spendluffe Technology College

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Message from the Headteacher

Over the past few years I have enjoyed playing a key role in the success of John Spendluffe Technology College. I look forward to continue to serve the students, their parents and the staff here. It is the effective partnership of all three groups that is so crucial in the colleges success. I know that working together we will continue to build on our considerable achievements.

The college has made outstanding progress over the past few years. We are a popular college, with excellent examination results and a judgement of outstanding from Ofsted. We are rightly proud of our students academic success but we are equally proud of the all round education and support our students are offered. It is this rounded education that gives the students the skills they need to be successful when they leave the college. We continue to look to develop the college further to ensure our students receive excellent opportunities to develop their individual talents to the full, in whatever area of school life that may be.

Mr S Beverley

Last academic year was another highly successful one for John Spendluffe Technology College. This year promises to be even better! From the 1st August 2011 John Spendluffe Technology College became one of the new converter academies. As one of the new style academies and as an outstanding school, we have been asked to work with other schools. We already take an active role in working in partnership with others and this is a mark of our success. We are proud of our achievements but, what matters most is our own students and providing them with the best opportunities to be successful. The freedom academy status brings will help to ensure our future success.

S Beverley
Headteacher

Curriculum

All of our students left us last summer with qualifications. It is, however, easy to claim high pass rates. Results matter and there is an excellent track record of success at John Spendluffe. But what also matters is the quality and rigour of courses the students are studying, how well they are taught and their chances of leaving the college to go on to further success.

There has been much in the national news about changes to qualifications nationally and in February Performance Tables for schools following the summer exams were released. The Performance Tables reflect that our latest results were the best in the history of the college. We have had a consistent track record of success over the past few years and, from an excellent base, continue to improve. The considerable success enjoyed by our students is a mark of their hard work!

A key part of our success is that we have a personalised curriculum at the college, with students studying a range of courses appropriate to them. Where it meets student’s needs this involves vocational and applied courses and we do have a track record of success in some excellent courses. However, looking at the Performance Tables, we are particularly proud that the basis of our results is achieved in rigorous GCSE subjects, with many of our students achieving 5A*-C grades including English and Mathematics simply through GCSE’s. In the light of planned government changes we know that this is regarded as key to a schools success. In total around 20 GCSE subjects and 7 key vocational areas are studied by groups of students at John Spendluffe. We do look to provide the courses that are right for our students and will help them to go on to further success in the future.

London Marathon Success for Mrs Collingwood

Our warmest congratulations go to Mrs Sharon Collingwood (Finance Office) whom has recently taken part in and completed the 2013 London Marathon - achieving an extremely respectable time of 4 hours and 33 minutes.

Sharon's involvement in the London Marathon was one of chance as much as choice, thanks to her husband, Mark. Mark had decided to enter the 2013 Marathon some time ago, and simply enquired as to whether Sharon would like to enter also ... being the type who enjoys a challenge, she said, "Yes!"

Places were extremely limited as they were applying directly through the Virgin London Marathon website and, in truth, she didn't think she'd get in. As it turned out, Sharon secured a place, while husband, Mark didn't.

Having only ever run a 6 mile distance in the past (which is still pretty respectable) Sharon then followed a strict four month training plan to ready herself for the forthcoming event. Being of a determined nature, Sharon undertook four runs a week, and threw herself whole-heartedly in to the preparation, which finally paid off on the 21st April as she jubilantly crossed the Finish Line in just over 4 and half hours.


Sharon as the marathon begins. With 26 miles to go and 36,000 runners in total...		13 miles in, the midway point. Sharon settles in to her pace.


With only meters to go, the Finish Line is in sight...		Relief, pride and achievement as Sharon crosses the Finish Line.

Faraday Challenge

On the 24th April John Spendluffe Technology College hosted a STEM Project called the Faraday Challenge. This involved 36 students from Y8 who are recognised as very able in Science, Maths and/or Technology. The students spent the day making a prototype and a code to send a message from one area of the hall to another. As well as putting together circuits and vessels, students worked hard on their teamwork and literacy skills. Both Keira Sewell, the host and our governor Margaret Bauer commented on how well the students had tackled the project and represented the college.

The winning team with 93/105 points were Olly Hunt, Kian Hardiman, Wilfred Foster, Harry Dale, Zak Turner and Chris Lake who received a trophy and Amazon vouchers. Well done!

Max Respect Winners

In a recent competition run by Lincolnshire County Council to promote safety on school busses where the criteria was, “Design a poster to promote Max Respect & see it published in promotional leaflets. Winning entries will be used to promote Max Respect & school transport throughout the 2013/14 school year”.

Two year 7 students Tilly Wardenier and Lauren Hewson, from John Spendluffe Technology College in Alford won prizes in this competition after it was integrated in to their ICT lessons to develop skills on the computer allowing the students to combine different software while enhancing their ICT skills; Both students were invited to receive their prize at the Council Chamber, County Offices in Lincoln on 20th March 2013.

The students’ work will now be incorporated into Lincolnshire County Council school safety materials across the County for the 2013/14 academic year.

Comic Relief - JSTC Bake-Off

JSTC held a staff Bake-off to raise money for Comic Relief.

The guidelines for cake entries were that all cakes must be based on a 3-egg Victoria Sponge Mix, with 3 seperate categories:

A Traditional Victoria Sandwich– filled with butter cream and jam.
A Victoria Sandwich– filled and decorated the most comically appropriate for Comic Relief.
A Victoria Sandwich– made into the most creative shape and decorated.

The competition was judged by Rev. Ros Latham, Mrs Fairburn – Rolling Scones WI, Mrs Shorrock, Mrs Forman and Ms Kirk.

Judges were extremely impressed with all the enteries and the cakes were then sliced up and sold to raise more money for comic Relief

Winning cakes were:




		Miss Myers – Traditional Mrs Paice – Jelly Bear Creation Mrs L Hernon – Woman Baked Bean Bath

Well done to all – great effort, great cause.

Cake Gallery:

Opening Minds Homework projects

I am delighted with the response from students towards the new themed homework projects in Y7 Opening Minds. These projects are designed to encourage students to use a wide range of independent learning and thinking skills. Which range from creativity to reflection, investigation, and communication skills.

This is the second project of the year and was entitled ‘My Place’. Some students from Mrs Horan class have depicted the title in the following ways. Sinead chose to design and produce a game based on monopoly which took her over 40 hrs to make whilst Scott’s futuristic home, made from a warning cone, may make people think about the problems associated with using too many natural resources in the future. Kira chose to make ‘her place’ a bedroom festooned with musical symbols reflecting her love of music. Well done to you all.

Miss Myers and all the Opening Minds teachers.

Future Chef Local Finals 2013 - JSTC student serves up a treat

Judges – Jayne Stafford, Paul Bray (Jamie’s Italian) and Daniel Bustea (Marriot Hotel, Peterborough)

JSTC this year entered for the third year running a national cooking competition organised by Springboard whose chairman is celebrity Chef Brian Turner.

Year 9 student Jessica Jackson won the school heat in September 2012, and went on to cook at the Local Finals held in Stamford on January 26th 2013. She competed against four other schools. Judging this year was extremely difficult due to the very high standard of dishes presented. Judging was indeed very close between the top 3 students which included Jessica with the winner being last year’s National Final competitor – Hayley. However, Jessica was highly complemented by all the judges on her Chocolate Fondant dish, and Chef Daniel Bustea referred to the dish as being ‘sublime’ and one of the ‘finest fondant’s he has ever tasted’

It was a great opportunity for her to experience working in a professional kitchen and to receive feedback from the selected group of professional chefs, and also one of the very few who have taken part and been offered a job by Daniel Bustea Executive Chef – Marriot Hotel Peterborough.

Well done Jessica you were a credit to the school.

French Christmas Market - 2012

A group of students from all year groups had a very Happy Christmas during their visit to the Christmas Markets at the end of the Autumn term. As well as visiting the Christmas markets, many students enjoyed a turn on the big wheel and ate a range of French treats! Together with their 5 course Christmas dinner, a crepe making session and a wonderful shopping experience in Cité Europe, students (and staff!) were well and truly full of culture and treats!

Students represented the school impeccably and we hope to run further trips within the coming year.

Equestrian Success for JSTC

Young riders from JSTC’s fledgling equestrian team are celebrating success after a strong performance at a regional show jumping competition.

Laura Sanderson (14), Emily Sanderson (13) and Jemma Smith (13), of John Spendluffe Technology College (JSTC), headed to Bishop Burton Agricultural College in East Yorkshire to compete in the National Schools Equestrian Association event.

Taking their places in a field of 42 riders from across Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and Lancashire, Emily and Laura jumped fast, clear rounds in the 90cm class to finish third and sixth respectively.

Those results, together with a good ride from Jemma, resulted in the JSTC pupils earning third place overall in the team competition.

When the fences were raised to one metre, Emily and Laura jumped clear rounds, with Jemma recording the team’s fastest time despite just failing to go clear.

And although none of the riders secured individual rosettes, the trio’s performance was good enough to ensure JSTC won the team competition.

Robert Thornalley, Head of Physical Education, said: “This is an outstanding achievement for the girls and we are very proud of their success.

“I hope that this will encourage even more students to join our Equestrian Team and we look forward to even greater success in the future.”

Clothes Show Live - 2012

The Clothes Show Live event is fast becoming a ‘must’ for all textiles students, as the inspiration gained at seeing the top fashion houses, as well as up-and-coming designers is proving invaluable.

According to Miss Taylor (textiles teacher) the students left the event full of new ideas and enthusiasm, and all were extremely impressed by the techniques they’d seen demonstrated. Of particular interest were the number of outfits employing recycled materials (fabric, plastic, even paper) which were then transformed into spectacular garments (see images below).

And if all that were not enough, another - unexpected - highlight for students was seeing JLS live on stage. The girls, and the teachers, had a fantastic day, and to quote one student, “I can’t believe all this, it's out of this world!"

Children in Need - 2012

On Friday 16 November our Student Council hosted a range of activities to help raise funds for Children in Need. This included a Bake sale, Charity rugby match, Y10s vs Y11s (and the Year 10’s were victorious), wearing something yellow as well as your uniform for 50p and finally donations of 1p & 2p’s to make a picture of a giant Pudsey head using small change.

(Blur added for effect)

A grand total of £242.50 was raised.

Resounding Success for JSTC Rugby Squad

On Tues 13 November the U15 JSTC Rugby team travelled to Market Rasen and visited De Aston to play a 15 a side game under the floodlights.

The team were buoyant after their recent victory over Skegness Grammar, and started the game strongly. JSTC were dominant in both forwards and backs and quickly settled into great attacking play.

JSTC moved into an early lead, and were able to sustain their effort and fitness levels to withstand later pressure from the De Aston boys.

Final score line 29-7.

Jack Etches - Hits the BIG time

JSTC student, Jack Etches is delighted with the result of his first ever WKC World Open Championship in Montreal, Canada. Jack won a full complement of gold, silver and bronze medals during five days of frantically fought competitions at the championship. Jack defeated competitors from across the globe in individual and team competitions which ran between the 3rd and 7th of October 2012.

Jack was first introduced to kick-boxing by a friend four years ago and developed an instant passion for the sport. He trains with coaches and sparring partners at clubs in Skegness, Louth and Horncastle and travels to Corby once a fortnight for a session with the English team.

Jack thanked his family for all their help towards achieving his recent success. Jack’s father Steve Etches, travelled to Canada with his son and was delighted to see all his son’s hard work pay off. He said: “All the family are so proud of him, we couldn’t ask for anything better. People don’t see all the difficult stuff that goes on, he has worked extremely hard and he never gives up, he just keeps on going.”

Military Wives Performance

Students waiting in their dressing room back stage

Students from Year 7 through to Year 11 gave a fantastic performance in the Military Wives concert at The Skegness Embassy on Saturday the 13th of October. Led by Music teacher Miss Raynor and supported by Mr O'Farrell, the group performed a vibrant piece, including various solo sections, with enthusiasm and professionalism. All of the group should be proud of their achievements; they were a real credit to both John Spendluffe and themselves! Well done to all who took part!

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