In the last week of term, a select group of Year 11 students were given the opportunity to burn off some Christmas excitement by taking part in a basketball and creative writing day, run by the English department in partnership with Plymouth Raiders and Marjon University.

The students were given a morning session of basketball skills and games, led by professional coaches from the Raiders team. Three of the first-team players – point guard Neil Watson, guard Jared Adekoya and forward Kinu Rochford – were on hand at the end of the session to inspire our young learners with anecdotes about their own routes to success.

After a university lunch, students completed a challenging creative writing workshop based on their experiences on the basketball court, in the academic surroundings of the Marjon campus. The campus location inspired the students to produce some outstanding written work, and everyone took something positive away from the day.

Saltash.net would like to thank Marjon University for hosting this event and Plymouth Raiders for giving their valuable time.

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Saltash.net will be hosting a Year 7 Parent Forum on Wednesday 21^st February, between 5pm-6pm.

If your child is in Year 7 and you would like to be a part of a group to discuss teaching and learning at saltash.net, then please come along. If you require further information about the group, then please contact Mr Oakes or Mr Howgate through school reception.

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Team left to right. Back row: Abby Shapland, Ellie Maunder, Lowenna Savery, Imogen Beer, Imy Stapleton, Molly Gill, Dani Spurling. Front row: Rosie Deacon, Maisie Godfrey, Daisy Winstanley, Merryn Richmond, Lucy Kane (c), Lois Lusher.

Saltash.net community school’s under-16 girls football team were crowned county champions on Thursday 25 January, after a tense final in Bodmin which saw them emerge victorious against Penryn College. Nothing could separate the two sides, with the game remaining goalless, even after extra time.

The game was settled with the dreaded penalty shootout. The score reached 6-6, with saltash.net dispatching their 7th, with Penryn College missing to end the epic final. As captain Lucy Kane lifted the shield, there was a definite sense of relief for the saltash.net players, in addition to the joy of the celebrations.

Penryn College had the better chances in the match, but were stopped at every opportunity by an outstanding performance from saltash.net goalkeeper Merryn Richmond.

While saltash.net’s team were delighted, they were first to recognise and respect their opponents who had made them battle all the way to achieve victory.

The win means the team have retained the trophy, and won four of the last five girls’ under 16 county championships.

Team coach, Dan Budd, was delighted with the performance.

“I am exceptionally proud and pleased for the team who showed real resilience to earn the victory.  No team deserved to lose that game and both teams can be proud of producing such a great final and advert for girls’ school football,” he said.

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Mrs Watson and saltash.net’s senior team

On Wednesday 17th January, the intermediate and senior Youth Speaks teams began this year’s competition with the first round, held at saltash.net. Organised by the Rotary Club, Youth Speaks offers students a chance to present on a topic of their choice, where students must deliver their topic following the competition’s outline.

This year Saltash.net saw two teams enter the competition, including a senior team for the first time in many years. The intermediate team chose to present on the topic of LGBT students and their rights in the school environment. The team delivered an excellent presentation, showing great passion for their topic.

The judges were very impressed with their research and discussion of such a mature and relevant topic. The intermediate team comprised of Isobel Whittam (Chair), Corlissa Waites (Main Speaker) and Ellie Kevern (Proposer of the Vote of Thanks), all Year 9 students, who represented saltash.net with pride and commitment.

Following the intermediate team, the senior team delivered their speech on the complex topic of whether refugees should be allowed to seek asylum in the UK. The team, made up of Year 12 students Lucie Jones (Chair), Katie Matlock (Main Speaker) and Tommy Williams (Proposer of the Vote of Thanks), argued the two sides of this topic, debating the financial strain it places on the country against our duty to help those in need. The judges commented on the team’s detailed consideration of the debate, their superb work as a team and what a credit they were to the school.

Both teams have progressed to the next round, which takes place on Wednesday 21^st February at Callington, where they will present once more against teams from other local schools who have also advanced to the second round.

saltash.net’s intermediate team

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There are still a few tickets left for performances of Little Shop of Horrors this week! These can be purchased from reception and paid for by cash or cheque.

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SEND Coffee Afternoon at saltash.net community school. Does your child have a special educational need or disability? Do you have any questions or queries?

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Saltash.net students had an amazing morning at the Science showcase at Plymouth University, experiencing all things science and technology. As part of the Plymouth University Children’s passport scheme, saltash.net was invited to bring 50 students along to the University; 50 Y8 students were the lucky chosen ones.

They sampled a range of activities within the showcase tent, including Segways, mini robots, giant bubbles finger identification, and eye recognition.  They thoroughly enjoyed all of the stands they visited. It was lovely to see saltash.net students grow in confidence throughout the morning and they certainly were inspired by what they saw and the opportunity they had to ask University students questions. All students involved were a pleasure to take and we look forward to our next visit.

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Fifteen lucky Year 7 students were chosen to take part in an adventurous residential trip aimed at improving their analytical English reading skills.  On Monday 15 January the group, along with Miss Halliday and Mr Hodson, travelled up to Bideford to spend three days at the wonderful Skern Lodge.

On the first day the pupils split into two groups and were faced with the challenge of a group assault course.  They needed to focus and communicate with each other in order to complete the course.

Our brilliant instructors, Alex and Russel, helped support us all the way round and both groups managed to complete every element of the course.  Students then took part in archery, which helped them when thinking about the analysis of ‘The Hunger Games’, which we had completed before leaving school.

The second day started with a rafting trip that led into Bideford and involved a rather chilly play in the water!  The first lesson at Skern Lodge saw the pupils use the experience of rafting to help analyse the message of the poem ‘A River’s Story’.

Students faced the biggest challenge of the trip in the afternoon: tunnels. This involved crawling through extremely tight spaces in the pitch dark, with many confronting fears of darkness and claustrophobia, but bravely still giving it a go.  With support from each other, all managed to successfully complete the task.  The emotions of this experience really helped in the lesson, when looking at the tone created by J.K. Rowling in describing ‘The Chamber of Secrets.’

The final day saw students take part in a coastal traverse round Westward Ho, facing some extreme weather and tricky scrambles across the rock.  This experience helped with analysis of Joe Simpson’s ‘Touching the Void’ back in the classroom and all managed to show incredible progress in their analysis.

This trip was a really fun experience that primarily helped build the confidence of all involved.  They were a real asset to our school and made Miss Halliday and Mr Hodson very proud.  The students will now be able to apply these skills to their lifelong learning journey.

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Information about Cornwall Children’s Inclusive Football Day, where all abilities and levels of coordination & mobility are welcome, can be viewed below or downloaded here.

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A group of Year 11 students at saltash.net recently spent a day with the Exeter Chiefs, as part of the ‘Try for Change’ project, which develops employability skills through rugby.

The students have been part of the project for the last ten weeks, developing their skills through weekly visits by coaches from Plymouth Sports Charity. The project is funded by Sport Relief, and as the students had progressed so well over the course, they were selected to take part in this day which enabled all involved to come together.

A BBC crew followed the students throughout the day, filming students playing rugby and enjoying lunch with two England players, Sam Simmonds and Alec Hepburn, who play for the Exeter Chiefs.

All of our young people conducted themselves extremely well on the day and have really thrived throughout the project. Two students, Josh Ainsworth and Hayden Cole, were selected to chat 1 to 1 with the England players in front of the film crew.

They shared stories about their lives with the players, positive changes they are making and are intending to make and how the project has helped them, and were outstanding.

The film crews and directors were mightily impressed with how they spoke with clarity and confidence. Josh and Hayden now have an opportunity to meet the whole England team at their training camp in February. Footage from the day may be broadcast nationally on one of the BBC Sport Relief programs in the build up to the main day in March.

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Reminder: Thursday is saltash.net’s first Super Learning Day. Students are off timetable for the day, and it is non-uniform! Year 7 will be have their Review Day, with the rest of school taking part in year group specific events or sessions.

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Find below, or download here, details on a Director vacancy for SMART.

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We were thrilled to see so many of our Year 7’s and their parents attending the Children’s University Passport scheme launch evening, where they were treated to cream teas and goodie bags.

They all left inspired by Year 12 student George Seymour who talked about the importance of taking opportunities, as well as the skills that he has developed through opportunities he has taken himself.

In addition to learning about how the scheme works and how the students will collect their stamps and certificates, it was great to hear from Zoe and Philippa who run the scheme from Plymouth University.

All students in attendance went home with their passports and I have been thrilled to see how many students are already collecting their stamps, taking responsibility for building their skills, and ultimately making themselves more employable.

We are thrilled that over seventy Year 7 students have signed up to the scheme. Please contact egue@saltashcloud.net should you have any questions about the scheme.

Mrs Gue, Head of Careers and PD

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Year 13 students at saltash.net recently spent the day debating global solutions to climate change as part of a Mock United Nations Super Learning Day. The students represented twelve different nations – ranging in size from The Maldives to China – with each team fighting the corner of their chosen nation whilst trying to negotiate a real solution to benefit the whole planet.

The students began with the motion ‘We agree that all countries in the world should cut CO2 emissions by 50% by 2050’. They heard a speech from Andy Pratt, Devon & Cornwall Regional Officer for Green MEP Molly Scott-Cato, who spoke in favour of the motion whilst recognising that even stronger action was needed to really solve the issue. They then heard from Adam Killeya, Head of Sixth Form but speaking from the point of view of an opponent to the motion.

Each country of students then each produced a presentation on the impact of the proposed 50% cut on their nation, whilst attempting to build alliances with other countries to agree on a proposal that could get majority support. The students negotiated with each other, using many real life political strategies of mutual interest, trade, incentive and threat, before a series of votes in the ‘UN General Assembly’.

In the end the country representatives voted 8-4 that The USA, Russia and China should reduce CO2 emissions by 50%, and 9-3 that small nations should also reduce emissions by at least 10%. However they did not get the 9 votes needed to agree on a punishment for countries who did not meet the target, with a proposal to fine countries falling just one vote short.

Head of Sixth Form Adam Killeya said “The students did a fantastic job of getting into character and showing real empathy for the plight of different countries. They also learnt a lot about the reality of politics and it can be very difficult to get nations with different interests to agree meaningful action, even when the future of the planet is at stake”.

Guest speaker Andy Pratt said “I congratulate the staff and students of Saltash.net for exploring the key issues of climate change with such enthusiasm.  The young people I met today are the generation who are going to have to deal with the dangerous consequences of our current oil-addicted global economy.

“I think today provided an example of how we could make progress when different countries and viewpoints aim to work together, and it sets a good example for our politicians and for all of us as citizens.  We are all responsible for the world.”

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On Wednesday 7^th February saltash.net was delighted to invite over thirty organisations: colleges, universities, training providers, the military and other companies and organisations to our Post 16 pathways evening to set up stands and meet with parents and students.

We had a record amount of students from years 9-13 and parents attend on the evening and were so proud to see so many of our young people making important decisions around their future choices and taking such decisions so seriously.

All that attended were very positive and all of the organisations that came in were impressed with the attitudes of our students and the way they conducted themselves. The evening was a fantastic success and will help us enable our students to ‘Believe and Achieve’ as well as motivating them to raise their aspirations.

A big thank you to Mrs Boulton for all of the logistical organisation.

Mrs Gue, Head of Careers and PD

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Saltash.net community school is delighted to announce that Charlotte, one of Pennywell Farm’s world famous miniature pigs who is on loan at the school, has given birth to nine healthy piglets.

Charlotte, who was bred at Pennywell Farm, arrived at the school shortly before Christmas, and staff and students have eagerly waited for her to farrow. This is the first time that Pennywell have ever loaned one of their pigs, which all have a gentle, friendly character.

When they are settled, Charlotte’s piglets will be having lots of cuddles with students and will be a key focus of saltash.net’s BTEC Animal Care course and Farm Club. Students will get the opportunity to develop leadership skills by applying to become livestock managers to help assist in the care of the micro pigs, and there will also be creative writing projects based around Charlotte and her piglets.

The school even hope that Charlotte and her litter may be able to learn some tricks!

Mrs Blackmore, Animal Care and Science teacher at saltash.net is delighted with the safe arrival of the piglets.

“Both students and staff at saltash.net are really excited now that Charlotte has farrowed. As well as being incredibly cute, the litter will provide a great opportunity to help students grow in confidence and develop social skills whilst learning a sense of responsibility and respect for life.

“Helping to care for the piglets will give students a sense of pride and accomplishment especially as the piglets return the affection!” she said.

For those keen to watch Charlotte and her piglets’ progress, the school has set up a live stream of their enclosure, which can be viewed on the school’s website at the following link; www.saltash.net/webcams. You can also follow Charlotte on Twitter here.

Saltash.net first broadcast a live stream from its livestock area in 2006, attracting worldwide attention, when Delores, the Duroc cross-bred sow, had taken up residence at the school.

Mrs Blackmore and Ms Chapman from the school’s Science Department visited Pennywell in early October, along with some keen Animal Care students, to meet Charlotte and give the students the opportunity to learn more about her care.

Charlotte and her litters’ arrival adds further diversity to the school’s livestock area, which is already home to goats, ducks, chickens and rabbits.

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A group of Year 11 students at saltash.net recently spent a day with the Exeter Chiefs, as part of the ‘Try for Change’ project, which develops employability skills through rugby. A BBC Sport Relief film crew was present, and England Rugby have released a short video with footage from the day. The students offer their feedback on how the project has had a positive impact on their education.

As a result of this project, students Josh Ainsworth, Hayden Cole, Alex Bulley and Ben Haly had the opportunity to go and watch England train at Twickenham during February half term. They met with Prince Harry and rugby royalty Johnny Wilkinson, a number of England players as well as getting to train on the pitch. Footage of their day at Twickenham can also be found below.

The students thoroughly enjoyed both experiences, and Josh and Hayden will now play in a ‘game of their lives’ rugby match at half time, in front of 80,000 people, during the England v Ireland six nations clash at Twickenham in March.

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Thursday 1st March is #WorldBookDay2018 and saltash.net would like students to mark the occasion by dressing as book characters with a teamwork theme! There will be competitions and activities in the library throughout the day to enjoy!

All students will receive a World Book Day voucher, which you can exchange in book shops for a special World Book Day book or go towards a book of your choice. Get planning your outfits!

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The nine piglets

Students at saltash.net community school have been using the school’s latest arrivals to approach their traditional subjects a little differently. The school’s livestock area world famousPennywell Miniature Pig, Charlotte, gave birth to nine piglets over half-term, and last week A Level Philosophy students were the latest to visit Charlotte’s brood. They used the piglets to consider important philosophical questions such as, ‘Are piglets born knowing anything?’, ‘Could seeing the piglets just be a strange dream?’, and, ‘Is it better to be a human being dissatisfied or a pig satisfied?’ as John Stuart Mill once questioned.

The students were assisted by other sixth formers who have been trained as farm volunteers, and were able to handle the piglets and in one case get their shoes untied by one of them! This prompted an interesting discussion of how the piglet had learned to do this so quickly, and whether he had been born with this innate ability.

Philosophy teacher Adam Killeya explained, “I used a picture of the new born piglets in my first lesson last week to explain a philosophical point, and the students were very keen to go and meet the pigs in person. I feel that it really helped make these philosophical debates more real to them”.

Philosophy student Sophie, who described the piglets as ‘adorable’, concluded that, “It’s much better to be a satisfied pig.”

One piglet, named ‘Shoes’, demonstrates his special skills by untying Sophie’s laces.

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