Paignton Community & Sports College » Paignton Community and Sports College, Torbay, Devon United Kingdom, Sports College, Schools in Torbay

RETURN TO SCHOOL – WEDNESDAY 22ND FEBRUARY

Susan Thornton — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:00:47 +0000

Don’t forget that this February we have a little longer for half term! Pupils should return on WEDNESDAY 22nd February!

Meanwhile, enjoy your break!

Virtual Learning Centre is NOW OPEN!

atho — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 13:57:25 +0000

On the 9th February 2012, the New VLE (Virtual Learning Environment) was officially opened by Stephanie Nicolaou BSc (Hons). The College was delighted to welcome Stephanie who is an ICT System Analyst for Agusta Westlands Helicopters in Yeovil.

Stephanie was the Winner of the Every Woman ‘Rising Star’ in ICT award last year, having her prize presented to her by Carol Vorderman. This was not all, as Lord Sugar was in charge of getting Stephanie to the ceremony via his private jet! So you can imagine our thrill when Stephanie said she would open our new VLE centre and give us her time so generously.

The new VLE centre is the result of much thought and vision by Andrew Thomas (Assistant Principal); Dominic Miles (ICT Teacher); Craig Gorman (Network Manager); & Chrissie Atkey (VLE Manager). Designed around the Google offices, the team set to work and designed a room which contains a more informal teaching and learning area, with bean bags and a boat! The boat, named ‘Believe & Achieve’ (The College’s motto) was designed by a local boat builder as a seat, again designed on the Google office concept.

There are also 70 computers on colourful desks with sweeping curves, which gives the centre an inspirational and professional atmosphere and impression, the moment you walk through the door.

After drawing the concept on paper, Mr Miles gave his design to Mr Gorman, who then, using Google Sketch Up, produced an architectural floor plan that could be used by the builders and designers.

The Governors were then the final important cog in the design process, with the Chair of Governors Miss Iris Butler, driving the finance and making it reality with Miss English our Principal.

The whole concept is to inspire our own rising stars in the College, and we are certainly not short of these. As part of the opening ceremony, five Key Stage 3 pupil’s work in ICT was celebrated. Following our ICT competition to design an Olympic poster using the professional graphics package, Xara (which we teach at Year 7), highlighting the Olympic values; Mr Thomas whittled nearly 500 entries down to 30, and asked Miss English to Select the top 5.

The quality of work was unbelievable, and PE teacher, Mr Price, who supported this project through the College’s official Olympic Get Set scheme, said that he could not believe that the posters were made by students!

The first prize, went to Paul Meads in Year 8, who designed a wonderful Chris Hoy Poster. With thanks to the PE department sponsoring the prize of a PC tablet, Paul was presented with this by Mr Toby Clarke (PE Teacher). Paul also got to see his poster in full, which hangs in the new VLE centre.

The four runners up were Owain, Jay, Connor and Alexandra, who designed an array of fantastic posters, who we celebrated and who again, saw their posters displayed with much pride in the centre.

The opening ceremony was witnessed by staff, pupils, parents, governors, members of the Local Authority and councillors, who commented on this amazing facility.

Miss English, Principal of the College told the assembled audience of her passion for ICT and how important she feels this is in today’s education and how this VLE centre will revolutionise the educational setting at the College.

Mr Andrew Thomas said, “I am blessed that I am surrounded by a marvellous team of people who are truly visionary and who believe in making things happen for our pupils. This vision would not have been possible without Mr Miles’ passion; Mr Gorman’s exceptional skills; Mrs Atkey’s drive; the Senior Team’s support; Miss Butler’s belief; and Miss English’s drive. What we have achieved as a team is totally different from the norm. We have taken the idea of what a classroom looks like and given it a 21st Century Google make-over!”

Matt Friend, Stephanie’s partner who is an ICT Business Architect, and who accompanied Stephanie said, “You haven’t shaken it up, you have added a V8 to the back of it! It is good to know there are teachers and schools like those at Paignton, who are prepared to do this sort of thing ”

We think this is the coolest classroom ever, and we are not aware of anything like this for miles around! We have no doubt that we will see many stars rise in ICT from this College and we truly believe they will all achieve greatness!

>>See the picture gallery HERE<<

Steve Knightley Special Solo Gig at Palace Avenue Theatre

Susan Thornton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 21:43:27 +0000

As lead patron for the huge Primary Schools Festival, Telling Tales, Steve will be performing a special solo gig at Paignton’s Palace Theatre on Sunday 26^th February.

Telling Tales is a festival that celebrates identity, heritage and creativity for young people in Torbay. The festival organiser, Paignton Community College’s Advanced Skills Teacher, Jess Hunter said “We are so thrilled that our patron will be supporting this important event for the second year running. Thanks to support from Show of Hands last year, we were able to promote a love of creativity and the arts for a second year running.”

Palace Theatre, Paignton. Box Office 01803 665800

For further information please click the link below:

Steve Knightley Special Solo Gig – 26th February

SUCCESS AT TORBAY SCHOOLS’ FESTIVAL OF PERFORMING ARTS 2012

Susan Thornton — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:15:30 +0000

On 6th February at Oldway Mansion the following students won places in the finals of the Young Performer of the Year which forms part of the Torbay Schools’ Festival of Performing Arts 2012. They will be performing in the finals at Oldway Mansion on Tuesday 21st February at 6.30pm and the winners from these performances will be asked to perform at the RICC on Thursday 1st March 2012.

Junior Section:
Ryan Harlin and Megan Garner
Senior Section:
Libby Gunbie, Sophie Martin and Leona Clayton

Congratulations!

The College also has four songs in the finals of the Song Writing Competition and three pianists in the Instrumentalist of the Year Competition.

PAIGNTON STUDENTS JOIN ONLINE SAFETY DISCUSSION

Chrissie — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:10:43 +0000

Today is Safer Internet Day and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) have launched a new film ‘Parents’ and Carers’ Guide to the Internet’- click below to see the film.

CEOP Film

Ahead of the official launch, students and staff from Paignton Community & Sports College received a very special invitation to join in an online discussion forum, hosted by Jonathan Baggaley, Head of Education at CEOP. Other members of the panel included Peter Barron, Director of External Relations at Google EMEA, Leigh Smith, MD of Raceonline and Peter Davies, CEO of CEOP.

Subsequently, on Monday, 6^th February 2012, twelve students and Mr Andrew Thomas, Assistant Principal took part in a lively discussion on the subject of E-safety from the new Virtual Learning Centre at Borough Road: they were the only students in the United Kingdom to take part. The recording is going to be made into video and uploaded onto the CEOP Section of YouTube in the near future.

The students really enjoyed this brilliant opportunity and the panel were so impressed with them they are in the process of arranging another opportunity for discussion between CEOP, Google and the College.

Still on the very important subject of e-safety; yesterday evening saw a very successful Parents’ Evening take place entitled ‘How to Keep Your Child Safe Online’. All resources that were used during the evening can be found on this Website under ‘E-Safety, Information for Parents’.

Youth Parliament – Making Our Mark

Susan Thornton — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 14:21:30 +0000

2^nd February – 8^th February. This week there will be ballot boxes at Paignton Community and Sports College ready to take your votes. There are 10 candidates in the Bay hoping to be elected as the new members of the UK Youth Parliament. The UK Youth Parliament has been set up to let young people get their ideas across to the Government. It is run by young people and has over 300 members across the UK aged 11-18. They want to show that young people do have a voice and are not just thugs or trouble makers. Young people can either stand in an election or vote in your local UKYP election to represent young people in your area. Your form tutors will be showing a film and helping to explain what happens at the Youth Elections, and why it is important for each young person to cast their votes. You can also find out about the candidates from your tutors and from the displays beside the voting boxes. If you are a KS3 student you can cast your vote in the Library. KS4 in the main dining Hall at break and lunchtime. If you have any further questions you can ask Ms Hampton, Mr Craw and Mr Bealey. Don’t stay silent… make a difference!!

Year 8 Students’ Invitation to the House of Commons

Chrissie — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 12:08:30 +0000

Social Education Qualification are launching at a House of Commons reception on the 7th February. Excitingly, Nick Hurd, Secretary of State for the Office of Civil Society, will be making a speech about social enterprise and young people, and Social Enterprise Qualification. Invitations have been extended to people from Government, the Education Sector, Youth Development Sector, and also the adult training sector – back to work programmes.

As part of the launch Paignton Community & Sports College’s SEQ Group have been invited to sell their products on a market stall during this event. The event is in one room, so the stalls will be key to the event so that the people attending the event can come and buy products and hear first-hand from young people what it was like taking part in the SEQ pilot.

This is a fantastic opportunity to show off the innovative work the Enterprise Education Team have been doing with social enterprise and young people at the College. It’s also a great opportunity for our young people to see inside the House of Commons.

Four Year 8 students and two members of staff will be attending the House of Commons on the 7th February for what will be an exciting and memorable day.

Options Information

Dominic Miles — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 06:35:44 +0000

Year 9 Options Information is ready for you to look through! The application form will go live at 1300hr today (30th January 2012). Students will be directed to computer rooms at this time to make their application and Option selections.

CLICK HERE TO GO STRAIGHT TO THE YEAR 9 OPTIONS PAGE

>>CLICK HERE TO OPEN THE APPLICATION FORM<<

LIVE 1300HR TODAY

Paignton Community & Sports College welcomed to London 2012s Get Set Network

Chrissie — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 12:57:10 +0000

Pupils and teachers at Paignton Community & Sports College celebrated today when they were officially welcomed in to London 2012s Get Set Network, in recognition of their commitment to the Olympic and Paralympic Values of respect, excellence and friendship. The College has run inter-house Olympic sports festivals, and PE lessons have been delivered using Olympic themes. The College is going much further than just PE lessons as Andy Price, Head of Key Stage 4 PE at the College explained “becoming a member of this prestigious group gives us a unique opportunity to work with other subject areas to deliver inspiring and motivating lessons based on the Olympics being hosted in London next year”.The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games (LOCOG) awarded Paignton Community & Sports College a plaque and certificate to acknowledge their involvement in the London 2012 Education Programme. They now join selected schools and colleges across the UK as members of a special London 2012 community – the Get Set network – and will receive access to exclusive competitions and 2012 Games related opportunities over the coming years.

Elliot Barton, Commonwealth Gold Medalist Rower and London 2012 hopeful, presented the College with the plaque and certificate, said, “Paignton Community & Sports College are excellent examples of how London 2012 is helping to spark young people’s imagination and inspiring them to get involved and make a difference”.

Sebastian Coe, chairman of LOCOG, said: “When London won the right to host the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games, we made a clear promise to use the power of the 2012 Games to inspire young people”.

Principal of the College, Jane English, said “I am proud that Paignton Community & Sports College has been welcomed in to the Get Set Network and that the exciting work we are doing around inspiring our pupils using the Olympic Values has been recognised.”

The College is planning to run two days of Olympic themed activities later this year. The College were delighted to receive confirmation that ‘Europlas’ will be helping with sponsorship through supporting there Olympic based projects.

Olympic Primary Indoor Athletics Competition

Susan Thornton — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:52:31 +0000

On Wednesday 18^th January over 100 pupils from Collaton St Mary, Curledge Street, Oldway and Kings Ash Primary Schools came together for an Olympic Festival of Fun competition. Each school brought up to 30 pupils to compete in track and field events which included; team relays, standing long jump and chest push. The idea of the competition was to give as many pupils the opportunity to experience events similar to those that will be part of the London 2012 Olympics.

The competition was run by the School Sport’s Council Young Leaders and Paignton’s 5 Olympic Young Ambassadors, who all did a fantastic job to make sure the events flowed without a hitch. There were even four Year 9 pupils who commentated on the events, which added to the excitement.

Although the emphasis was put on maximum participation and a fun-filled, action-packed afternoon, the winners progressed through to the area finals. Therefore Paignton Community & Sports College’s family Primary School Olympic Indoor Athletics champions are OLDWAY PRIMARY.

Congratulations to all pupils who were involved in the event.

Mr Godfree