This week in our newsletter

A big thank you
Bookbuzz - free books for year 7
'Mum, I'm getting an ECDL!' Why this is good news
Assemblies this week: our Xmas Shoebox Appeal

Firstly, our thanks to you

On Wed 12th October, 81% of families with students in Year 11 attended our Countdown to GCSEs evening. Wow! That is great support from our parents by any reckoning! Yesterday, Tuesday 18th October, 70% of Year 10 parents came along for a GCSE Information Evening.

It's a fact - parent/school teamwork really supports our young people through their GCSEs, so a big thank you for coming!

These lovely students are talented musicians and they spent time last week at the Penryn Memory Cafe playing for people with dementia. It was the highlight of the wonderful Memory Cafe's first birthday. Well done, Tegan, Bex, Daisy and Tegen!

http://www.falmouthpacket.co.uk/news/fpfalmouth/14792488.Penryn_Memory_Cafe_celebrates_first_birthday/

'All in all it reminded me why I am so proud to be associated with Penryn College' Jim Henderson, Rotary Club of Penryn

May we introduce...Ms Ribenfors, English teacher and Literacy Coordinator

What jobs have you done other than teaching?

I worked in a shoe shop, fitting children's shoes from the age of 16. My brother, sister and cousin worked there too so it was fun and I made some long term friends. For a couple of years after that, I worked in a call centre which could be a bit boring but they used to hire bouncy castles and things for us to use during our lunch breaks! Then I got stuck into working in education and worked as a Teaching Assistant for a few years in a couple of very different schools.
What is your favourite place in Cornwall?
Sennen Cove is one of my favourite places to stay. I also really like St Ives in the winter when it's not too busy. I live near Perranporth beach and love the dunes and the 3 miles of beach.
What do you like to do when you are not working? I love spending time with my cockapoo puppy and taking her for long walks. My weekends are usually centred around food and eating nice meals, often with friends. Reading novels is another love of mine and I try to read as much as possible. I also love going on exotic holidays to Hawaii, Bali and Nicaragua - but only if I can tear myself away from the puppy!

Every year with the help of the Book Trust, we offer all our Year 7 students a free book to keep, read, share with their family. We know reading matters, we love books and that's why we do it! Year 7s are choosing their freebie read when they visit the library and the books usually arrive just before Xmas. You can find out more here: http://www.bookbuzz.org.uk

News in brief:
Karen Narramore took children on our ‘Let’s Grow and Thrive’ outdoor mentoring programme to Princess Pavilions last week to work with Falmouth Council and Dementia Friends to support people with dementia through horticulture. Karen said, 'We all worked together with the gardeners to take out last season’s planting and prepare the bed for winter. I really hope the boys can go back to help plant the spring bulbs.'

This week we are holding the Year 7 MidYIS assessments. They are on-line tests that help us determine where a pupil stands in relationship to their peers in their learning. It's just one of the ways we make sure we know as much as we can about your child's abilities and needs.

You are invited to our annual GCSE Art Exhibition
Monday 7th November 4-6pm Kernewek Hall
If you want to see some of the amazing talented artists we have here, why not pop in? The exhibition showcases the work of 2016 Year 11 students. Ex-students, proud parents, friends, interested members of our community are very, very welcome!

‘Mum, I’m getting an ECDL!’ Don’t panic – Mr Yule, head of ICT, explains…

No, it’s not a GCSE but it is the world’s number one IT qualification and proof of digital literacy. It's recognised by UK employers and companies - over 2 million people already have this qualification. There's no set exam date - just on-line tests your child can take when they feel ready. Last year 179 students gained an ECDL - with 50% gaining A or A*!
This year 175 Yr 11 students have bagged their ECDL ahead of the main exam season - nice move! 30 are still working on it and obtaining additional support during Personal Study time. 27 Year 10 students have already got the whole qualification (impressive!) and 67% of all Year 10s have already completed and passed at least one of the four exams.

Mr Yule answers FAQs about the ECDL

Friday 21 October is STEM Day!

We are holding a Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) challenge day for a group of Year 8 students.
The day is being sponsored by the Cornwall Manufacturing Group, including Watson Marlow, who have set the challenge and are providing resources and inspiring personnel! We are delighted to have this level of support from a specialist company whose reputation extends both nationwide and overseas.

Dates and events

Mon 24- Fri 28 Oct
Holiday activities

Mon 31 Oct - 11 Nov
Yr 9 Careers Fortnight
Save the Date: Tue 8 Nov
Yr 9 Careers, Choices and Pathways 6pm

Mon 7 Nov
GCSE Art Exhibition 4-6pm

Wed 9 Nov
Year 8/9 Subject Review
3.45pm

Thu 10 Nov
Yr 11 mocks & Yr 10 semester exams start

Sports Fixtures

Thu 20 Oct
Rugby
Penryn v Richard Lander
Away

Netball
Penryn v Richard Lander
Home

Sports Results

The U12 and U13 Netball teams travelled to Torquay Grammar School yesterday to play in the second round of the National Schools Cup. Fantastic team performances resulted in wins for both teams!

Year 8 Rugby team came 2nd out of 22 schools on Monday, beating Penair, Pool, Truro School and Newquay Treviglas on the way, and only losing to Redruth in the final. Team captain Max Watkins led by example!

BOOM!!!

Click here for latest Sports Round Up!

Creative Arts News

40 students gained their Bronze Arts Award last term and picked up their certificates this week. Some of them are heading for challenging Silver Award status this term.

The Saracens Boys Choir will be singing at a National Youth Sports Conference at Eden today - it's an early start for the 51 boys who will be looking very smart in full concert gear!

Link to Holiday Activity Programme here - or pick up a leaflet at Reception or visit us on our Open Morning Sat Nov 5th!

Tutor Groups are collecting items for our Christmas Shoebox Appeal - each tutor group puts together a box of essential items and we send them off the week after half term - in good time for this brilliant charity to get the shoeboxes to families at Christmas time. If your child asks for extra showergel(!), it's for this cause!

Jobs at Penryn College - four vacancies just posted

Did you know about our Achievement Point Raffle?

5 Achievement Points = one raffle ticket
First draw this Thursday after tutor period
Prizes to be won!
Raffle runs every half term

Follow Penryn College on twitter
and watch out for our new facebook page!

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