Dear Parents and Carers,
 
Thank you for your continued support this year; it has been challenging and, at times, frustrating for us all, as I am sure you are aware.  I am grateful to have such fantastic staff, supportive parents and such a wonderful bunch of students, who continue to amaze me with their infectious joyful attitude.
 
At this time of year, I like to reflect on what we have achieved and look forward to the future.  Year 11 and Year 13 students have been exemplary in how they have conducted themselves throughout the whole Teacher Assessed Grade process and I am looking forward to meeting them in August, to celebrate their achievements.  The Sixth Form team will be in contact about arrangements for results day and staff will be on hand to offer any advice.
 
I would like to share with you how very proud I am of two students who helped when one of our students was involved in a road traffic accident recently.  Liriel and Josh have been praised by members of the general public for their calm approach to dealing with the incident.  They gave first aid, directed traffic and took control of the situation until the police arrived.  I have congratulated them for being a credit to our College.
 
It is also this time of year when we say goodbye to some of our staff who are moving on to pastures new and we welcome our new colleagues joining us in September.
 
Goodbye to:

Miss Carroll who is relocating.
Miss Richards who is moving on to teacher training.
 
A special mention to the following staff who have been with the College for a combined 53 years of service:

Miss Lewis who is relocating.
Mrs Jordan who is moving on to pastures new.
Mrs Frude who is moving on to pastures new.
Miss Newberry who is moving on to pastures new.
 
We wish them the very best in their endeavours.
 
New staff joining Sir John Hunt from September:

Miss Wallis - Science Teacher
Miss Weaver - Science Teacher
Miss Hayes - Science Teacher
Miss Morgan - Spanish Teacher
Mr Wynter - Music Teacher/LSA
Miss James - History Teacher
Miss Smart - Geography Teacher
Miss Rose - PE Teacher
Mrs Couling - Assistant Pastoral Leader
 
Joining us in September will also be 150 new Year 7 students and I am looking forward to meeting them during our Summer School next week.  I am sure that they will be equally excited to be starting secondary school.
 
As you can see from the newsletter, we have had some enrichment opportunities for students to participate in, such as the Army STEM Helicopter event and the Year 8 With Flying Colours project, where students have had the opportunity to be creative and produce their own sound recordings.  Next term we are hopeful to be able to offer more enrichment opportunities for our students, as restrictions are lifted.
 
I know that our students take part in many extra-curricular activities outside of school which I would love to hear about.  Please send me an email j.bevan@sjhcsc.co.uk and let me know of any achievements of your child.
 
I have written to you previously about Sir John Hunt joining Greenshaw Learning Trust and we had hoped to be able to join on the 01 September2021.  Please see the communication below from the Head of Strategic Projects, Greenshaw Learning Trust explaining the delay:
 
We want to update you on the progress being made for SJH to officially join Greenshaw Learning Trust (GLT). SJH has been granted approval by the Regional Schools Commissioner to join GLT and we have already undertaken a number of the key steps required. Being a PFI school on a shared campus adds quite a bit of legal complexity to the transfer process. At this stage, it has not been possible to complete the PFI legal work and therefore the official transfer will not take place on 01 September 2021. 
 
The conversion project team will continue to drive this forward to ensure the transfer takes place as soon as possible.  SJH has a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with GLT which means that SJH staff and students are already treated as part of the GLT family ahead of completion of the legal work. The SLA will remain until the transfer date and we will continue to progress all of the great work we have started with GLT in the new academic year. 
 
We have contacted you recently about some changes in Term Dates for 2021/2022 and about our uniform policy.  Information regarding this can be found on the College website for your reference.
 
I would like to thank you for your ongoing support regarding the mobile free zone at the College.  It has been fantastic to see students interacting and conversing with their peers at break and lunchtimes and the new policy is already having a positive impact on College life.
 
We have been advised from Active Devon to share the following summer holiday activities that parents might find useful during the holidays:

1. https://www.youthsporttrust.org/resources/coronavirus-support/active-recovery-hub

Help children and young people to boost their health and wellbeing by promoting being active

2. https://www.nhs.uk/10-minute-shake-up/shake-ups

The NHS have teamed up with Disney, Pixar and Marvel to bring you brand new play-along games inspired by your favourite characters.

3. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/50-things-to-do

Want your kids to run free in the fresh air and try new exciting activities?

4. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/lists/summer-activities-for-adventurous-families

Great ideas for families – e.g., Build the best ever den with these tips and tricks – all you need are some sturdy sticks, leaves that you have found on wild adventures and some mud to secure it all together!

5. https://peumbrella.com/register/the-pe-umbrella-member/

Although designed for teachers and some elements are for a paid subscription, there are lots of ideas for games that parents might want to try out this summer. 

6. www.boingkids.co.uk/playupclub

Free to access.  The Boing PlayUp Club is a six week video series full of new games and loads of different ways to play. It also includes tips, advice and ideas for children and parents/guardians on how to power up their play this summer.

7. learninghub.riverbearyoga.co.uk/p/family-yoga

A brilliant free resource for the summer break – screen free activity to keep families happy, healthy and connected. 

8. https://www.activedevon.org/event/wonford-cycle-festival/

https://www.activedevon.org/event/exeter-arena-cycle-festival/
https://www.activedevon.org/event/cowick-barton-cycle-festival/
https://www.activedevon.org/event/cranbrook-cycle-festival/

Active Devon is excited to announce our cycling festivals across Exeter during the summer break.  Have a go opportunities, free tea and coffee and goodie bags for participants (limited availability)
 
9.   https://www.activedevon.org/get-active/
Lots of ideas for getting active in Devon.
 
When we return in September, the Department for Education has asked us to Lateral Flow Test students on their return and we will be in contact with further details for the start of term.
 
Have an excellent summer holiday and we look forward to seeing our students in September.
 
Yours faithfully,
 
Mrs Bevan
Principal

As you can see from the photographs our Year 10 Art students have been working really hard and continuing to develop their artistic skills in Art!  In their final term, students have been working on ‘Design Development’ pages where they are experimenting with different ideas that will eventually lead to their final piece (painting) for their Cells project.  It’s fantastic to see their unique ideas come together through some beautifully detailed designs - Well Done Year 10!


Year 9

Year 9 Art have really pushed their drawing skills in this final term!  They have learnt about Georgia O’Keeffe and created some beautiful artist reference pages and artist studies (pencil drawings).  It has taken quite a lot of self-belief and determination from our students but the work speaks for its self as you can see.   Amazing work Year 9!


Year 8

Students have been looking closely at the famous artist Hundertwasser.  Students have been analysing his style and recreating their own pieces of art in response to his unique abstract and colourful style.  Lollipop trees, onion domes, hidden faces and organic shapes are some of the key elements in Hundertwassers work that students have been inspired by in their work.  As you can see there are some fantastic pieces of art and we look forward to meeting the new GCSE students who have taken Art as an option for Year 9!


Year 7

It’s all about food! We’ve all been left feeling hungry after our lessons this term as the theme has been Food.  Students have been looking at (sweets) logos and the colour theory that makes logos successful.   They have been developing drawing, painting and mark-making skills through experimentation and looking closely at professional artists such as Sarah Graham and Mark Powell.


Have a fantastic summer and we look forward to seeing you all in September! 

Miss Costello
Art Teacher

Creative writing club was launched in Term 6 and we have been having fun stringing words together every Wednesday after school.  Between 7 and 12 students in Years 7 and 8 have been coming along and enjoying activities such as playing story consequences (basic plot creating practice); generating similes and comparisons by finding connections between random things: “Life is like a knife: there’s a blunt side and sharp side “; experimenting with pathetic fallacy: “The pitter patter of the rain made the leaves dance with relief” and writing a story around a set of 3 random elements: a character, a location and an object.  The most challenging of these was a fisherman, a museum and an umbrella…
    
Our aim was to create a space where students could just write for pleasure and enjoy being creative with language.  We have had many laughs, enjoyed listening to each other’s creations read aloud and hopefully whetted appetites for further literary endeavours in the future.
    
Next year we aim to have a series of competitions through the year to create work for; we hope to try our hands at writing a greater range of texts types and genres and to continue to develop enjoyment of language as a creative space.

Mrs Price and Miss Bojanitz
English Teachers

Congratulations to the following students who were the top 3 learners in their year groups for the first 2 weeks of term.

Year 7

• Max Innes, Ruby Smith, Leyla Meghaoui

Year 8

• Lily Young, Emily Tremaine-Payne, Layla Warne

Year 9

• Josh Kelly, Liam Tippett, Junior Daniels

Year 10

• Benjamin Smith, Rome Poole, Nay Williams

 
Don’t forget the final challenge for this term is to answer over 150 Hegarty questions before the end of term. These can be from your class homework, Fix up 5s’, Memri Tasks, Building Blocks or old tasks that you want to improve the score on. 

Remember, the top 10 students who have answered the most questions will go into a prize draw at the end of term.

Mr Salter
Mathematical Knowledge Lead

Sixth Form music students (who already support Year 7) have been welcomed back into the department, to tutor Year 7.  Daisy in Year 12 has been making great progress with them.

It was good news all round this week, as the Music department was recipient of brand new high quality music equipment, donated by Plymouth University, PUPOS. 

Mr Cleverley
Music Teacher

We have had a very rewarding year in the Music department.  Having such a large space and resources, has allowed us to carry on making music, whilst adhering to the health and safety measures.

All of the Year 11 final performances went ahead and we were fortunate to be able to team up with Plymouth College of Art, for a filmed (and streamed) final performance from Year 13.

Mr Cleverley
Music Teacher

On Friday 9^th of July we had the pleasure of welcoming the Army Air Corps, along with a gazelle helicopter, to the College to run STEM activities for our Year 9, 10 and Sixth Form students.

Students were shown the ins and outs of the helicopter and were able to operate the controls to find out how the helicopter manoeuvres. They also completed some problem solving and leadership activities, with some students enjoying the chance to take charge!

Our visitors were very complimentary of the students’ engagement and participation, and were happy to answer all questions regarding the helicopter and careers in the forces.

Many thanks to Miss Newberry for her help organising the day and to the rest of the Science department for their support. We look forward to hosting more events next academic year!

Mr Davidson
Head of Physics

On Thursday the 8^th of July, students from Year 10 took part in our 'Super Science Quiz' during period 7, which was fully supported by the Science team.

Students were tested on ranges of topics to test their scientific knowledge, there was a great turn out and atmosphere.

The competition was very close, the winners are as follows:

• First prize of a £10 LOVE2SHOP voucher was given to Kyla H, Daisy D and Ellie N.
• Second prize of a £5 LOVE2SHOP vouchers was given to Paige W and James H.
• Third prize of chocolate treats was given to Nahom and Monty.

We are looking forward to hosting more events in future.

Ms Ajiye
Science HLTA

Students participating in Step Up this year have still managed to enjoy many exciting experiences despite the restrictions of lockdown.  It has been a relief for both students and staff to move outside the constraints of home working and enjoy being able to socialise with others both in College and with training providers.
 
Year 9 have enjoyed visits to both the coast and Dartmoor whilst also developing craft and practical skills in College.  They have been cooking out of College with a training provider and I hope that some of the food made it home for Parents and Carers to sample, but suspect most of it got eaten long before it arrived home!  Students have also been busy planting and weeding the Step Up vegetable garden.
 
Year 10 have enjoyed regular visits to both Construction Training South West and New Hope, our Cooking training provider.  At Construction Training they have had the opportunity of taking part in woodwork, painting and decorating and brickwork.  The have had the experience of cooking and eating some delicious dishes at our cooking training provider. 

Year 10 have also started their Sports Studies unit of work and have all improved at table tennis and are aware of their strengths and weaknesses.  Students have also had visits to Dartmoor and the Coast and have taken part in mountain biking and Bell boating sessions.

Year 11 have concentrated this year on completing their Sports Studies work in Step Up but also have had the opportunity of walking and exploring Dartmoor and the Coastline.  Year 11 have also taken part in construction activities at Construction South West and cooking activities at New Hope.

Well done to all Step Up students this year.

Mr Smart
Step Up Teacher

The new intake of Sixth Form students are currently enjoying their transition lessons and taster sessions in preparation for their new courses, which begin in September.  This phase of lessons and taster sessions is designed to help students transition smoothly from KS4 into KS5.  As part of this process, students get to sample lessons in their chosen subjects/courses.

Over the course of Term 6, transition lessons have been running here at Sir John Hunt and at our partner schools: Torbridge High, Lipson Cooperative Academy and Eggbuckland Community College.  Some subjects our students have chosen to study next year include A-levels in Psychology, Physics, Chemistry, English and Maths. Our students following vocational pathways have been visiting their training providers across the city to sample their new courses for September 2021. Courses range from Bricklaying at Construction Training South West (CTSW) and Marine Engineering at NORPRO to Barbering at GHQ and Childcare studies at Discovery College.

The students have made a fantastic start and we are looking forward to working with them in the next academic year.

GCSE Results day will be on August 12th this year when members of the Sixth Form team will be on hand to confirm courses and arrangements for enrolment in September.  

Any students still wishing to secure their courses for next year should contact us using sixthformadmin@sjhcsc.co.uk.

Mr Fort
Head of Sixth Form

Year 7 and 8 students have been given the opportunity to enter the Royal Mail Heroes Stamp Design Competition. 

Students across the country were asked to design a stamp based on the heroes of the pandemic as a way of honouring the heroes.  Izzy Babbage, Lola-Rose and Issy Coughlan have entered fantastic designs.  Fingers crossed we have a winner and good luck! 





How you can help

Get creative with your kids! With the Summer Holidays fast approaching make plans to get creative by drawing, sculpting, taking photographs and even just colouring in.  All these activities don’t have to be expensive and need only time and a little creativity.  Drawing on envelopes with biro pens, making sculptures out of recycled materials or salt dough and completing a photography challenge are all fun things to do and will help them to think creatively and use their imagination.  The Tate website have lots of ideas; www.tate.org.uk/kids

Miss Costello
Art Teacher 

A few weeks ago, Mrs Skelton entered a competition on behalf of the PE department to win £1000 worth of football equipment for "Monster Kick About" week.

Sir John Hunt were one of the lucky schools to win the competition and this week the prizes arrived, which included:

• 30 Nike balls for some worldie goals!
• A monster selection of on-pitch training equipment to level up with 
• 30 Limited edition Monster Kick About bibs
• A Sondico electric ball pump to ensure the game never stops!  
• A £200 Sports Directory voucher to put towards anything sporty your school desires (We are purchasing a Lacrosse set to introduce a new sport to the College)

We expect to be using this equipment in your lessons very soon!
 
Mrs Skelton
PACE Curriculum Leader

This term has been fabulous. Almost completely interrupted joy for Year 8 students as they look to complete their Key Stage 3 learning and assessments. The data collected from this will be used to help prepare group sets for Year 9, well done to everyone for completing these as well as you have done.
 
Away from lessons a group of talented Year 8 students have had the opportunity to work within the ‘With Flying Colours’ project. This has been a six week programme in which the students have been working towards writing a Play, which would be produced for a Podcast. This Podcast will be available to listen to shortly. It has been created by our students with guidance from Jon and Sam, who are Play-writes. Throughout the programme students have devised characters and storylines, by using recognised techniques such as story boarding. During the course they have all developed in their abilities within the art of writing as well as in their own confidence and enthusiasm for drama. A fabulous effort everyone, well done.


 As we come close to the end of the academic year, I wanted to play tribute to the year group. They are a wonderful bunch, who I can’t praise enough. I hope that you all have a wonderful summer and can’t wait to see you in September to begin our Key Stage 4 journey together.
 
Mr Beynon
Year 8 Pastoral Leader

What a fantastic return to College life we have had! It has been so wonderful to have the students back in and with some semblance of normality returning to our College lives. Yet again Year 10 are proving to all that they are a fantastic group of young adults.
 
Careers Interviews
 
Students have been working hard to book their careers interviews with Miss Newberry, a great sign that they are focussed and driven to achieve the very best. These interviews give them the opportunity to work with Miss Newberry, our careers specialist, to plan the route they will need to take to get in to the field of work they choose. So far we have a number of students who are looking at Babcock and Princes Yachts, an air hostess and a music therapist, among many other wide and varied career choices. Students who have not yet accessed these sessions are encouraged to do so. A high number of students have now completed their CV’s which is fabulous, Miss Newberry does this for free, a service that would normally cost £70. If your son/daughter has not already accessed this then please encourage them to do so.
 
Fantastic Attitude to Learning
 
Cohort 22 have come back with a brilliant attitude towards their learning at the College, I think everyone (Staff included) are glad to be back to teaching face to face!! With the year group about to embark on Year 11, it is vital that this continues. Learning Café is now open every day from 3-4 pm, for the sole use of Year 10, it would be great to see more students using this fabulous space to complete their homework or even to go that extra mile to re-enforce the learning during lessons.
 
Community Volunteering
 
It makes me so proud that so many of the year group want to give back to their local community. We get many reports from locals of the wonderful work that many of our students are completing outside of College hours. From attending local Youth groups and learning about other cultures to volunteering with our elderly. I love that so many people get to spend time with this simply wonderful group of students.
 
Prefects
 
Prefect applications are in and interviews will be happening before the end of term. We have such a great response, it has been wonderful to read the letters of application, they have been brilliant at selling themselves, but also incredibly honest in their identification of their areas for improvement. We cannot wait to work closely with our prefect team in the new year.
 
Session 0

In a bid to ease the Year 10's in to their new role as Year 11's, we have started to run the session 0 intervention process. This is where students work in ICT suites with their tutors on Hegarty, Seneca and Tassomai. This is a great opportunity for them to build on their learning in lessons and also to prepare themselves for the year ahead.
 
Uniform
 
The Year 10's have set an incredibly high standard for uniform this year and I want this to continue through to Year 11. Please remember that skirts must be knee length and that jeans and leggings are not part of our College uniform policy. Black shoes will be required in September, so if you have any questions or would like to email me a picture of the shoes you are aiming to buy so I can get them agreed then please do, I have already vetted a number of styles! If your son or daughter is thinking about getting a new piercing, please ensure they do this at the start of the 6 weeks, as all piercings, other than one plain stud per ear lobe must either be removed or a clear plastic retainer worn.
 
Let me finish with a thank you to you at home, from myself and Mrs Davies.  We really could not function as a year team without the fantastic support that we get from you. Your children are a credit to you and we feel very privileged that we will get to support and guide them through the next year of their learning journey. They have grown so much (both in maturity and height!) over the past three years, we simply cannot wait to see what amazing things they achieve in Year 11.
 
In the words of Usain Bolt “The difference between impossible and possible lies in determination.”
 
We hope you have a wonderful summer break and we look forward to working closely with you in September to support Cohort 22 in achieving the very best that they can.
 
Miss Warring and Mrs Davies
Year 10 Pastoral Leader and Assistant Pastoral Leader