YEAR 10 YEAR 10 NEWS FROM MR DOWNES
Happy Year 10 have always been a pretty ‘Happy’ bunch, although the current educational expectations on students, with the further roll-out of 9-1 exams can place immense pressure on them. As educators we must prepare them best for what is coming in less than 18 months, which is their time to sit GCSEs for real. This brings with it the necessary mock testing and preparation for exams in subjects very often brimming with content. This means students must synthesise, analyse and quite often simply remember content, in many of their exams which are ‘closed book’, as is the case with English Literature and some of their other subjects.
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What we aim to do is to instil a sense of responsibility, whilst also supporting Year 10, as the exams get closer and closer. It is important to maintain balance in studying with some sort of life beyond the classroom, something we promote through encouraging students to take part in after school sports, cadets and our many performing arts projects throughout the year. Students even receive reward points for taking this time away from studies. Of course, there will always be those who need that extra encouragement to work independently and this is why we still make the LRC available for Year 10 Homework Club, every Tuesday. Should you wish your child to be more involved with anything we do outside of lessons, please do get in touch and we will do what we can to point them in the right direction.
What we also hope is that we’ve guided students into a balanced enough subject choice so that they have some subjects that are still rigorous but perhaps less involved in terms of written exams. For those that need that extra bit of help in coping, we offer many support services to keep them on the right track. Stacey from CAMHS (Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services) coordinates out efforts with Mrs Dovey, our Key Stage 4 Pastoral Manager and aside from offering an invaluable on-site 1-2-1 service for those in need, also has trained a cracking troop of 6th Form mentors,
www.matravers.wilts.sch.uk
Creative I am privileged to have such a creative year group and this really was evident, seeing so many perform in the recent Drama project ‘Blue Electric Wind’ and the fabulous Dance in Action showcase, which was a sell-out, as I’m sure you’ve read elsewhere in here. As much as I get out and about around Year 10 lessons I don’t always see the culmination of their work but these shows blew me away, seeing how much they’ve grown as performers since Year 7. Their ability not only in working with each other but also in being able to perform alongside A Level students really does show you what they’re capable of.
H S A D C R
Resilient I am delighted by the mature bunch of young people that sit in front of me for assembly each week. During each assembly we discuss the focus of the week, based around our school ‘Thought For The Week’ and also discuss and celebrate the year group’s achievements for the week as well as examining attendance, behaviour and punctuality. The data really shows how well they’ve settled into their studies for GCSEs and poor behaviour really does stick out ‘like a sore thumb’, something they’re very aware of. Their attendance has improved hugely with persistent absence rates below the National Average. This is something
H S A D C R
which Year 10 have access to. This is far from the limit of what we can offer in school, so please do not hesitate to contact myself or Mrs Dovey should you feel your child needs support through what can be a tough time. We want them to remain happy!
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