School news, week beginning 1st July

Message from Jim

What an excellent Sports day we had on Wednesday.  It was great to see all the houses together supporting their athletes; the atmosphere was fantastic.  My thanks to everyone that participated. 
You may be aware that we had a visit from Ian Seath (HMI) last Friday to monitor our progress since our full inspection back in March.  His feedback was very positive and he was very pleased with the progress we have made.  He gave us some areas to develop for his next visit in the Autumn term.  It reminded me of how HMIs used to work a number of years ago, challenging the school, recognising the good work before crucially giving strategies for improvement and supporting the school in achieving them. 
On a personal note I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge he provided, it was incisive and thoughtful and I am confident that he can support us to achieve our ambition of becoming truly outstanding. 

Jim Nixon

School Sports Day
A very exciting day with lots of great achievements, excellent House support but some rather poor Mexican waves. A special thanks to the sun for making an appearance.
The winners of CNS Sports Day 2013 were Holkham House.
The spirit cup winners were Thornham House.
Well done everyone.
Liz Humphries, Communications Lead

 


























Sixth Form Induction
We look forward to welcoming our new Year 12 students on Monday 1^st and Tuesday 2^nd July for our 6^th form induction. This is the opportunity for our students to start becoming part of our sixth form community and experience A level teaching and learning in their chosen subjects.
Karen Treby, Key Stage 5 co-ordinator

Parents evening for new Sixth Formers

We also look forward to meeting the parents and carers of our new students at our welcome presentation in the Arc on Monday 1^st July from 6pm.
Karen Treby, Key Stage 5 co-ordinator

 The Norfolk Show

Well done to the musicians from CNS who played at the Royal Norfolk Show. They included the Jazz band and the Winterton quintet. This was a fantastic way to showcase the talent that we have at CNS.
Liz Humphries, Communications Lead

Young Norfolk Arts Festival

Year 9 artwork is going on display in the Hostry at Norwich Cathedral this week. It’s part of the Young Norfolk Arts Festival which takes place for the first time this year. CNS artwork includes collagraph prints and digital photography based on the themes of ‘Changing landscape.’ Artwork from other schools will also be on display. The exhibition is open to the public from Tuesday 2^nd July to Sunday 14^th July. Monday to Saturday 9.30-4.30pm and Sunday 12 noon to 3pm.
Polly Turner, Subject Leader for Art

School dates:

Monday 1^st July
6^th form induction day 1
Lesson on Jess Ruddock
House team meetings
Sixth form parents meeting (Arc 6.30-8pm)
Tuesday 2^nd July
6^th form induction day 2
6^th form biodiversity conference (Norwich Castle Museum)
Lunchtime clubs
KS3 MFL film club (room 201)
After school clubs
Creative writing (Learning centre)
Orchestra practice (Arc)
Wednesday 3^rd July
Matthew Project Yr 8 (room 8)
Interviewing excellence event Yr 12 (King’s Centre Norwich 10-3pm)
Lunchtime clubs
Christian Union meeting (room 113)
Debating Society (room 20)
British sign language (room 2)
After school clubs
Computing club (room 25)
Biopunks (room 104)
Garden club
Thursday 4^th July
Yr 9 exam paper (Sports Hall, 8.30-9am)
School council meeting (PD room 8.30-9am)
Super Sixes golf trip to Bawburgh (12-4.45pm)
After school clubs
SEND students (room 48)
Friday 5^th July
Awards BBQ

 

 

 

 

School news - week beginning June 24th

Message from Jim
There was a good discussion on radio Norfolk on Thursday morning.  The presenters had invited all schools to say one positive thing, or something that was unique, about their school.  I did send in a message about how proud I am of CNS,  however the topic appeared to be focused on coastal towns and rural areas; our school hadn’t been mentioned by the time I arrived at school.  It was a good idea and made for fascinating listening as I learnt new things that I would never have known about some of my fellow head's schools.

 Sometimes it is difficult to describe the uniqueness, the ethos and the atmosphere of a school.  It is often something you sense and are immersed in rather than explain verbally.  How would you describe your family; the atmosphere at home; how relationships have developed over time; how you rely on each other and how a brief look or glance can convey a message or a feeling?  These things are all an integral part of a family yet you can't measure them nor would you want to.  There is an old saying that "sometimes what can be measured becomes important rather than what's important being measured".

Jim Nixon

CNS Summer Fete

The weather held out, the crowd came and it was lovely to relax and have fun on the school field and to mingle and chat with staff, students and other parents.   There was a varied music programme and we thank all the parents and students and percussion teacher Mr Skinner, all of who gave their time so enthusiastically to the afternoon.

Our thanks also to Mrs Campbell and Miss Green who had been working hard with years 8 and 10 to produce lots of delicious cakes for the refreshment stall – we have some budding bakers in the making!

As ever, the driving school cars were extremely popular and give a unique feel to the CNS fete.  We thank parent Carol Barnes and her colleagues Phil Cooke and Leon Chapman of Dave Pickford Approved Driving Instructors for freely giving their support and providing so much fun.

Thanks to everyone who supported this event, whether as a helper, a sponsor or a visitor.  We raised over £1500 for CNSA and will now start discussions with students and staff so that social areas and quiet spots around the school can be developed.

Alison Coyle on behalf of CNSA

 

 

 

Congratulations!
Well done to the KS3 MFL film club. Or Year 7 modern foreign languages club. They have been working really hard on writing, filming, producing and editing three short films in French. MFL teacher Emma Gibson and English teacher Michele Witting have been mentoring them. They entered the pupils into a regional competition and now all 3 films are through to the final 12.

As a result, the pupils are off to Cambridge on Thursday for a film premiere, where they will see their work on the big screen at Anglia Ruskin University. The winners will be announced then. Good luck MFL film club!

 
Year 13 Art Exhibition
A reminder that the Year 13 Art Exhibition takes place in the barn at CNS on Monday 24^th and Tuesday 25^th June.  The exhibition entitled "Outside, Inside, In between" is open to the public on Monday from 6-8.30pm.

“It really is a significantly special group of students who have made personal work this year. My moderator was moved to tears when assessing their work.”
Teacher Polly Turner

Robots, God and Genetic Engineering

Can a Robot have a mind?
Is it right to produce ‘Saviour Siblings’?

These are just a couple of the tough questions that Year 10 Philosophy and Ethics students grappled with on a visit to the University of Reading on Wednesday.

There were several workshops at the event, called ‘Robots, God and Genetic Engineering’.  Speakers included Professor John Bryant, a Christian, cell biologist and author of ‘Playing God' and Professor Kevin Warwick, inventor of the Rat Brain Robot and a scientist who has been called the First Cyborg. The students were able to see first-hand how far scientific advances have come and then start asking the ethical questions they pose. One CNS student posed the question:

Is it right to create a cyborg that would technically be a slave?”
A challenging thought.
Sabrina Peck, RE Teacher.

 
Budding Yr 10 entrepreneurs
A business studies class in Year 10 enjoyed a visit from two local business leaders who have launched their own companies. Valerie Watson-Brown who is the Director of The Lively Crew and a former CNS student, gave them advice on what it’s like:

“It’s hard work, it’s not social leisure, if you don’t get paid, there’s no money coming in. But I love being my own boss, I follow things I’m passionate about and I’ve always got new ideas.”

Martin Lake, the Mid Norfolk FSB Chairman and owner of Copy Prints East Anglia Ltd. was also on hand to talk about his personal experience in business and what skills are needed to launch a business. The students, who are starting their GCSEs, found it interesting to hear from self-employed small business leaders.

“It’s nice to have someone locally, who is working locally and making money here.”
Yr 10 pupil.

 







Ofsted monitoring visit
The Ofsted inspector was in school on Friday for a monitoring visit. The parent letter can be found under ‘news’ on the school website.  We will let you know the outcome in due course.

 Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians
If you are a musician at CNS, then are you aware of the new Saturday music school that starts here in September? The aim is to provide young people with the very best quality music provision. It’s supported by the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and professionals will be on hand each Saturday to lead, guide and support. It’s open to all Norfolk young musicians but will be held each week at CNS. For more information please pick up a leaflet at reception or email e.humphries@cns-school.org

 



School dates
Monday 24th June
GCE/GCSE ends
Yr 13 Art Exhibition (barn - open to the public 6-8.30pm)
Visitors from China here
Sports day heats (field)
Tuesday 25th June
Lunchtime clubs
KS3 MFL film making club (room 201)
After school clubs
Creative writing club (learning centre)
Orchestra practice (Arc)
Wednesday 26th June
Sports day
UCAS Day (Arc: 11.20-12.20)
Lunchtime clubs
Christian Union (room 113)
British sign language (room 2)
Debating society (room 20)
After school clubs
Computing club (room 25)
Biopunks (room 104)
Thursday 27th June
MFL film club trip to Cambridge
After school clubs
SEND students (room 48)
Friday 28th June
Y8 Matthew Project visit
Y10 Health and Safety presentation

 

School News - week beginning June 17th

Message from Jim
Firstly I would like to re-iterate that our decision not to go for Single Academy status has in no way impacted on our unique partnership with the Guildhall School of Music and Drama.  Further details will be announced over the coming weeks with regards to the various opportunities that will be available for CNS students and our cluster of schools.  It is incredibly exciting; we are the only school in the country engaged in such a partnership with The Guildhall so it is a great privilege to be involved in its development and planning down to the fine detail. 

 Our new intake parents’ evening on Wednesday was once again very enjoyable and it was great to see so many people there.  The presentations covered a wide range of topics from how you prepare children for the move to high school, to our values and principles as a school.

 At the other end of the scale, our year 12 students return to school after their recent exams; it will be great to see them around the school and filling up the study hall again.  I have been fortunate to get the opportunity to chat with year 11 students after their exams, many saying they hope to be returning to our sixth form.  One student last year referred to the sixth form as being “flexible but not lenient”.  I couldn’t have summed it up better myself. 

Jim Nixon

News

Single Academy Status
After many discussions with parents, governors and staff, a decision has been made that CNS will not be pursuing single academy status. For more information, please see the parents section of the website.

The Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians

From September, a Saturday Music Centre will start running at CNS school called The Norfolk Centre for Young Musicians or the NCYM. Each week there will be workshops exploring musicianship, understanding harmony, rock, chamber music, singing, orchestra, band, jazz, theory classes. It is supported by the Guildhall school of Music and Drama and professionals will be on hand each Saturday to lead, guide and support.

It’s aimed at young people who are committed to music from across Norfolk. Fees are £150 per term (£15 per week) and the day runs from 9.30-3.30pm. A number of bursaries are available.  Application forms are available from the school reception or music rooms.

Liz Humphries

 

CNS Summer Fete – Sunday 16 June 12-3pm

There are still a few spaces left for the car boot and table-top area of the fete so if you have not had time to return your booking form, or are inspired to have a sort out on Saturday please do just turn up on Sunday morning from 11.15am and we will find you a pitch.  These cost £5.00 each and you can pay by cash or cheque made payable to CNSA.

If you have any last minute donations for the tombola please can you drop them at the stand as you arrive on Sunday; we will also happily receive any contributions of uniform, books, plants and cakes, biscuits or savouries.

The proceeds of the fete will go towards the development of social areas and quiet spots around the school for students to enjoy at break and lunchtimes so please come and join us for some fun on Sunday in support of our school.

 Music line-up for CNS Summer fete

CNSPB : A band of parents, ex-students and friends brought together specially for the occasion to get everyone country dancing
KS3 Percussion Group : A group of musicians from years 7,8 and 9.
Winterton Quintet : Five musicians who are now a local celebrity band
Tsigayner : Klezmer traditional dance, music and song from the Eastern European Jewish community.
Skye : A student band to rock us to the raffle!

 We wish to thank our kind sponsors for their generous donations to our raffle

John Ruddy, Norwich City Football Club
Pensthorpe Wildlife & Garden – entry voucher
Wroxham Barns  - entry voucher
Thrigby Wildlife Gardens – entry voucher
Thursford Collection – entry voucher
Fairhaven Garden Trust – entry voucher
Sainsbury's Brazen Gate  - £5.00 card
One Stop Shop, Leopold Road – wine and chocolates
Elizabeth’s the Florists, Unthank Road – gift voucher (amount tbc)
Homebase, Hall Road – portable BBQ
Lush – toiletry basket
Hong Kong Fusion restaurant and bar, Prince of Wales Road – £20 meal voucher
Nottcutts - £10 voucher
The Cellar House, Eaton - £25 meal voucher
Alison Coyle, on behalf of the CNSA

School dates

Monday 17^th June
Year 12 return
Yr 7 talk by writer Joe Delaney, author of The Wardstone Chronicles
Tuesday 18^th June
Welcome Assembly for Yr 12, attendance is compulsory (ARC period 1)
Lunchtime clubs
KS3 MFL film making club (room 201)
After school clubs
Creative writing club (learning centre)
Orchestra practice (ARC)
Y9 Cookery club (room 77)
Wednesday 19^th June
Yr 10 Philosophy and ethics students on a trip to Reading University
“Robots, God and Engineering”
Lunchtime clubs
Christian Union meeting (room 113)
British sign language (room 2)
Debating society (room 20)
After school clubs
Computing Club (room 25)
Orchestra practice (room 213)
Biopunks (room 104)
Garden club
Thursday 20^th June
School Council (PD room)
After school clubs
SEND students (room 48)
Year 7 parents evening (sports hall 5.30-9pm)
Friday 21^st June
History talk for Y12 students about Richard 3^rd car park dig (ARC 1.30-3.20)

 

 

 

 

School news - week beginning June 10th

Message from Mr.Nixon

We have a new intake evening on Wednesday 12^th June for the parents of year 6 children who are joining CNS in September.   It is always quite a milestone both for the parents and their children. 

Over half term I spent a few days in Southampton with my youngest son Robert who has just finished his first year at university.  It was great to see him so well established and loving every minute, yet this time last year he wasn't sure what university he would be attending.  It was the same for my eldest son Richard at who is at Nottingham and also great to spend some time with him at half term.  It brought home to me not only how well most young people adapt to change, (the fact is I was more worried than they were) but also how exciting it is joining a new educational establishment.  I know my sons won’t mind me saying, but the basis of their happiness and success has been being cared for and knowing someone is there for them.  With this in place you can be successful. 

 The educator and poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said "We judge ourselves by what we feel capable of doing, while others judge us by what we have already done".  I like this quote but slightly disagree with it as I know as a parent I have always talked to my sons about their capabilities as well as their performance.  One of the many pleasures of half term was seeing them flourish and achieve, it was awesome.   I believe the same applies to everyone, think of what you have achieved then concentrate on your potential as it is no doubt greater!

Jim Nixon

 

“You’re a Wizard Harry”
Year 7 trip to The Harry Potter Studios, Wednesday 5^th June
Bright and early on Wednesday morning, the English Department took an extremely excited (and very well behaved) group of Year 7s to London to visit the set of all eight Harry Potter films.

 These fortunate students were selected as a result of their hard work and enthusiasm shown towards English since joining CNS.  Despite consuming the majority of their sweets and packed lunches within the first half an hour of the journey, we arrived at the studios safe and well and ready to start the grand tour.

 As Hogwarts’ impressive gates opened, we were free to explore the incredibly detailed sets, stunning props and intricate drawings, allowing us an insight into the fascinatingly complex process of film making.  We were even lucky enough to be able to attend a lesson on costume design and see some of the original costumes used in the film, including Hagrid’s enormous trousers!

 From flying on broomsticks to drinking butter beer in the sun, the day was filled with fun from beginning to end: I am not sure who enjoyed the day more … the teachers or the students!

Miss Smith, Y7 English Coordinator. 

 

 

 

Winners! Cricket results
North Walsham v CNS, June 5^th 2013
CNS won by 3 wickets. Full match report in the sports department.

CNS Summer Fete – Sunday 16 June 12-3pm
Ever wanted to drive a car all over the school field? *Car provided, not your own.
Want to win a pair of football gloves donated by John Ruddy?
Get to eat pizza in the sunshine? *Fingers crossed weather-wise.

 Here’s your chance. Come and support your school fete and enjoy a fun and sociable time. Proceeds will go towards the development of social areas and quiet spots around the school for students to enjoy at break and lunchtimes.

Now that’s worth a trip to the Tombola stand…

Liz Humphries
Communications Lead, CNS

 Spaces for the car boot and tabletop area of the fete are filling up fast so if you would like to book either a car boot pitch or a table at £5.00 each please collect a booking form from school reception or request one by emailing cnsa@cnsmail.org.  To help the organisers please can forms be returned no later than Wednesday 12 June.

We are still looking for donations for the raffle and also for the bottle tombola – anything from shampoo to champagne – all gratefully received!  Please can these, plus any contributions of uniform, books and plants be sent in to school as soon as possible.

Alison Coyle, CNSA

 

Important dates for parents

Wednesday 12^th June
Parents ‘drop-in’ (study hall, 5.30-7pm)
Parents evening, new intake (7.30-9pm)

 School dates

Monday 10^th June
After school clubs
Twilight
Tuesday 11^th June
Lunchtime clubs
MFL film making club KS3 (room 201)
After school clubs
Creative writing (learning centre)
Orchestra practice (Arc)
Y9 Cookery club (room 77)
Wednesday 12^th June
Lunchtime clubs

Christian Union meeting (room 113)

British Sign Language (room 2)

Debating Society (room 20)

After school clubs
Computing club (room 25)

Biopunks (room 104)
Thursday 13^th June

After school clubs
SEND students (room 48)
Jazz band (Arc)
Garden club

Coming up

Year 12 Return

Year 12 return to their A level studies on Monday 17^th June. During the final weeks of term they will be studying all of their AS subjects to ensure that they are making informed decisions about their final A level subjects based on the exam results in August.  There will be a welcome assembly on Tuesday 18^th June during period 1 in the ARC. Attendance for this is compulsory.