At the chalkface
News
A carrot is a carrot
THE FIRST assembly of the New “It’s a bleedin’ carrot!” whis-
Students take over the airwaves
Year. A big one. Time for homilies pers Alfred Lunk. “What else is it?
and resolutions – and a cracking A parsnip? A budgerigar? A willy?”
address to the troops, the 7th year Vholes will see him afterwards.
troops. The Leadership Group “A carrot?” offers Magdalena, a
by Emma Lee-Potter
sit grimly like vultures on the gypsy from Prague.
stage. They point their sharp suits “Yes! Yes!” drones Phizz. “But Pupils at two East Midlands schools
at assembled tots and rake them why is it called a carrot?” are on the same wavelength when it
with the Zero Tolerance stares. Magdalena crushed. It’s too comes to broadcasting.
Headteacher Vholes unleashes his early for this kind of stuff. The schools – Oundle,
usual fierce stuff. “Why is it not called a mush- a Northamptonshire co-ed
“New Year! New room?” independent, and Thomas Deacon
Beginning! Work hard This is a less than Academy, a 2,200-pupil academy
or die young! Pass fruitful line of enquiry, in Peterborough – have each set up
exams or join under- especially for those who their own radio stations.
class! Bunk off and have little English. Like Keen to learn from each
you’re expelled!” Well, Shkelzen over there. He’s other, five students from Thomas
that’s his subtext. just arrived from Albania Deacon’s Zephyr FM recently
“You will now listen in a state of some trauma. visited Oundle’s OSCAR (Oundle
to Mr Phizz!” He seeks asylum. He won- School Community Action Radio)
Enter Henry Phizz ders if he’s in one. studios to compare notes and swap
of Physics. Poor Phizz. Phizz ploughs on knee- ideas.
It’s his turn to deliver deep in linguistic mire. “It’s They discussed everything from
our Thought for The a just a word.” He pauses the day-to-day demands of running
Week. He’s in dead lum- significantly. “We can know a radio station, to programme
ber. It is, as ever, prime nothing more.” ideas, publicity, administration and
gibberish. It emerges on a He gazes on a bank of blank licensing.
PowerPoint. faces. Many have thrown in the OSCAR first hit the airwaves
“You ask what is life? That cerebral towel. Poor Plum has in 1998 and broadcasts for six
is like asking what is a carrot? A always thought he knows next to weeks every year (in June and
carrot is a carrot. And we know nothing. Phizz leaves him feeling November).
nothing more!” he knows even less. And now a Meanwhile, Zephyr FM,
Honest! Where do they get carrot might well be a mushroom. which is funded by the students radio as well as to develop the by working with OSCAR and its
this stuff? We seem to be in David Shkelzen seems to think so. He’s themselves, launched last summer. relevant skills. We were very proud already existing team, we hope to Making waves: (From left)
Icke territory. Or a Peter Cook written it down. Pupils and teachers hosted three that this first Zephyr broadcast was assist Zephyr’s directors as they Tom Bishop, Jack Napier
sketch. Phizz gazes at his captive “Thank you Mr Phizz!” says weeks of music, news, sport and the longest broadcast by a state embark on their next broadcast in and Freddie Elborne,
throng: “You ask what is life?” Vholes. “That’s quite enough!” drive-time shows, with students school in the UK.” the summer of 2010.” three OSCAR presenters
Well, they haven’t. Most care Not half. Poor Phizz. Poor Tots. from all year groups involved as Ben Alten, OSCAR’s managing Over the past 11 years, OSCAR from Oundle School (main
not a fig. Norbert Plum can’t ever They file out rather fuddled. broadcasters, technicians and director, said both radio stations had Radio has featured around 1,300 image), while more of
remember doing so. An incurious Except Lunk. fundraisers. The next Zephyr jumped at the chance to learn from Oundle pupils and has transmitted the radio stars from both
silence falls. Phizz moves on. Next week, Ms Mumps on broadcasts will run this summer. each other’s approaches. a mix of news, quiz shows, music Oundle School and the
A carrot appears on a screen. Nietzsche. God help us. “Last year Zephyr made an “Being at the helm of a station and interviews. Thomas Deacon Academy
“What is this?” Another baffled excellent contribution to the school with such potential is an invaluable In 2007, the station launched its are pictured (inset). They
silence. Is it a trick question? • Ian Whitwham is a former and the Peterborough community,” experience,” he said. own website, enabling people from are (from left) Will Pimblett,
Phizz looks quizzical. Tots teacher. A book of his best ever said Zephyr director, Jessica “There’s never a boring moment outside the area to tune in too. Montana Gerry, Rebecca
look puzzled. Teachers look at columns is out now. For details, Holdway. and the stream of innovative ideas For more information, visit Head, Jessica Holdway,
floor. A boy has a fit of giggles. email
editor@sec-ed.co.uk “It allowed students to build their never ends. Starting a school radio
www.zephyrfm.com and http:// Samuel Haynes, Joseph
confidence and develop interests in station is never an easy task, yet
oscar-radio.org Abel, and Peter Wade
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Dip_DAT_SecED_188x277.indd 1 22/12/2009 10:13
16 SecEd • January 7 2010
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