I know I say this every term, but we have enjoyed yet another busy term at Meden School. Each week has brought new events, trips, achievements, and it is always lovely to look back over the past few weeks and appreciate all that has taken place.
The new term began with new life, with the appearance of Mother duck & her 13 adorable ducklings, an annual occurrence at Meden School. To avoid mum trying to cross the busy road with her family, we escorted them across the school field, to allow her to access the river safely.
(Meden Ducks on the annual visit to Meden School)
Each newsletter brings news of the achievements of our students outside of their studies and it is always wonderful to hear about their lives beyond Meden School. This half term there have been more excellent sporting achievements. Congratulations to Emma Nowak who secured first place in the 100m sprint with a fantastic time of just 13.6 seconds and second place in the 200m sprint at the English Schools Athletics Competition at Berry Hill. Meden Y11 student, James Jenner, who has just been crowned East Midlands Junior 64kg Boxing champion! Erika Proud who received an invite by the England Ice Hockey team to train with them. These just some of the standout achievements with more information included in the newsletter. Well done to all these students, we are all immensely proud of you and your personal achievements so please keep us updated!
This half term we were able to exhibit the amazing work produced by our Meden artists at our annual Art exhibition and this is something of which we are immensely proud. It is always a pleasure to welcome members of the community into school to share in our achievements and it was lovely to chat to so many of you. I was personally extremely impressed by the diverse range of media that our students had used to produce their pieces of Art and I felt that the exhibition really displayed the amazing talents of our students.
Year 10 students have enjoyed a particularly busy half term. We welcomed Nottingham Forest Community Trust and the Champions League trophy into school to talk to students about opportunities open to them as part of their Think Big Goals programme. The scheme directed at KS4 students mainstream, SEND and AP schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and aims to impact on the career aspirations and opportunity awareness of local young people and it links well with our whole work on careers and having high aspiration. From more information about the programme CLICK HERE
Seventy of our Y10 geographers visited Burbage Brook in the Peak District, as part of their GCSE fieldwork investigations into the river there. Students collected river data and explored the human impact on the area. A great day was had by all! Educational visits are an important part of our curriculum as they give students the opportunity to explore the theories learned in class in real life situations. We are keen to ensure every student can access our educational visit programme whilst studying at Meden School and we will be in touch next term with our educational visits plan for next academic year.
Our continued work around careers has enable all students the opportunity to experience an amazing event this term, when we welcomed in to school Medical Mavericks & other healthcare professionals to demonstrate the wide range of opportunities that are on offer within the medical/healthcare sector. It was a great day where students enjoyed some hands-on practical experiences, leaving them both inspired and more aware the many choices open to them when they finish their GCSE qualifications.
Congratulations to all of the students in Years 11 and 13 for reaching the end of their studies at Key Stages 4 and 5 and for starting the public examination period with such purpose and positivity. I would like to wish all students sitting examinations this summer (and this includes some students in Years 10 and 12) the very best of luck! I urge them to maintain their positive approach and continue to work hard and seek advice from your teachers and support staff. Remember that whilst it is important that all students get some rest and recuperation time over the break, this time does also provide an excellent opportunity to undertake some independent work and revision.
I hope you enjoy this term's newsletter. Have a great half term and enjoy time with your families and friends. Thank you for your continued support. I look forward to collaborating with you in the future.
Best Wishes
Mr Smith
It is always great to hear about the wonderful achievements of our students outside of school.
Emma Nowak
Well done to Emma Nowak in y9 who represented Meden School in this year's English Schools Athletics competition at Berry Hill. Emma secured first place in the 100m sprint with a fantastic time of just 13.6 seconds and second place in the 200m sprint.
Emma will be representing Newark & Sherwood District on the 10th June in the County championships! Good luck Emma from everyone at Meden School!
James Jenner
James is a current Y11 students who enjoys competitive boxing. He works hard and trains hard to be in the best physical condition he can be. James recently added the title of East Midlands Junior 64kg champion to his list of many achievements. We are all so proud of you James!
Erika Proud
Erika in Y8 is an Ice Hockey player in her time out of school. She is dedicated to the sport and devotes much of her spare time to playing the game and training hard. Erika recently received the news that the England Ice Hockey team had personally invited her to attend training for the Ice Hockey team. WOW what an amazing achievement! Good luck to Erika - it shows where hard work and determination can lead to! Well done!
Charlie SharpeY8
Earlier this month, Charlie and his family went to a May Day Rally in which they hold lots of Sports Events. Charlie got two gold (both for running) and one bronze (novelty/sack race) awards. At the end of the weekend he was award the overall winner of the weekend in Sporting activities and games and received the ‘Victor Ludorum Trophy’ from SYCC which he keeps for a year. This trophy is 46 years old. We are all really proud of you Charlie!
Curling
KS3 students took part in a curling event at Harvey Haddon School this half term. For all of the students it was the very first time they had taken part in a curling event, and they managed to win 3 out of 5 games!
This will hopefully be a regular event that students can take part in. All students involved should be proud of themselves as they represented the school incredibly well.
Well done to:
Meden invited members of the medical professions in to school to be part of our Medical Mavericks Careers event.
Student in years 7 to 13 were given the chance to speak to various representatives from NHS England, the RAF and medical professionals about the wide range of opportunities open to them in the medical sector. Smaller groups of students were targeted to participate in more focused workshops, where they had expressed an interest of gaining employment in the medical sector or studying a medically related course at university .
The day was a huge success. Students gained not only advice but hands on experience and were thoroughly engaged in the days events.
As part of their GCSE Spanish studies, students are required to gain the cultural knowledge about Spanish food and the kind of typical dishes eaten in Spain. Students in Y10 visited the Olive Grove restaurant in Worksop, where they got to taste many authentic Spanish tapas dishes.
All students were fantastic ambassadors for Meden School and they tried every food served, some of them never having had this food before. They ordered their drinks in Spanish and could give their opinions about the food in Spanish.
Bien hecho!
The Art department were very proud to have the opportunity to showcase some of the amazing artwork produced by our talented Meden students at our Art exhibition recently.
Amongst drawings and painting, students had produced clay work and 3D designs.
It was lovely to see so many Parents/Carers. It is clear to see why you are so proud! Well done everyone!
Y10 Geography students went to Burbage Brook located between Sheffield and Hathersage to undertake a fieldwork investigation, as part of their GCSE coursework.
Students spent, what turned out to be a lovely day collecting data at different sites along the river with some students at times actually in the river collecting vital data. Their investigation centered around the question Does Burbage Brook follow a typical river regime?
In order to prove or disproves this theory students measured river velocity , investigated the human impact on the area & produced field sketches. A great day was had by all and some of the students even chose to walk the long way back to the coach!
Next term the same students will be visiting Hockerton Sustainable Housing Settlement in Southwell, Nottinghamshire to complete the second part of their coursework investigations.
In addition to the trips that have taken place for Year 10 Geographers and Spanish students, it has been a pleasure to welcome in to school Nottingham Forest Community Trust and the Champions league Trophy this term, to talk about the opportunities open to them as part of their Think Big Goals programme which links well with our whole work on careers and aspiration.
The scheme is for key stage 4 students in mainstream, SEND and AP schools in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire and aims to impact on the career aspirations and opportunity awareness of local young people.
Students were thoroughly engaged in the session and many of our staff took the opportunity to have their photograph taken alongside the fabulous trophy.
Work Experience
The last week of half term saw over half of our Y10 students out of school on their work experience placements. Securing placements has been very difficult since COVID and although the situation has improved massively, it was still very difficult for some students to find placements. Students who have participated in a week of 'real life' work have gained a lot from the experience and one young man has even secured himself an apprenticeship when he leaves in year 11, which is a major achievement!
Thank you to all of the businesses and organisations who have taken the time to allow our students to join you on work experience, from everyone at Meden School!
It is always so lovely at the end of term, to be able to celebrate the achievements of our remarkable students.
The ATL trip for this half term was to spend the afternoon playing crazy golf at Paradise Island Adventure Golf in Sheffield.
Students also enjoyed a pizza lunch and a movie afternoon as well as certificates and treats given out during thei achievement assembly.
Well done to all students receiving rewards!
Meden School
Train to teach with the Nottinghamshire Torch SCITT