Page 4 - Issue No. 80 Summer 2019

Question and Answer Session

with Labour MP, Luke Pollard

On Friday, 5 April, Ivybridge Community College were
privileged to host a visit from Luke Pollard, Labour MP for
Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, who took time out from
his busy schedule in the midst of Brexit negotiations and
multiple votes in Parliament in order to deliver a Question
and Answer session. Mr Pollard is Shadow Minister for
Fisheries, Flooding and Coastal Communities. He also sits
on the Transport Select Committee.
A mixed audience of staff and students from Years 11, 12
and 13 posed a variety of questions, ranging from how
best to involve young people in politics, Brexit (of course) and the possibility of a
second referendum, the voting system, defence, LGBT rights and education. The Year
13 students had prepared their questions in advance and this had definitely paid off.

Ms Daniel, Head of Year 13, said, “The audience were totally engaged, interested and
knowledgeable. It was a great opportunity to gain insight into current political thinking,
both short and long term, and from my point of view, a complete pleasure to host.”

2 News ‘Run Like a Champion’

Sunday, 10 March saw gale force winds of up to 50mph hitting Devon.
Somewhat less severe than the Beast from the East last year, but still not
great weather, especially not for staff members, Mr Hargreaves, Science
Teacher and Miss Smith, English Teacher, who braved the elements to com-
plete ‘The Grizzly’, a 20 mile trail race billed as the hilliest, beachiest, boggi-
est event around.
Miss Smith was supported in her training by the College staff ‘Run like a
Champion’ group, running across Dartmoor once or twice a week.
The week before the event, Miss Smith’s dad (who she was due to enter the
race with) became unwell and Mr Hargreaves bravely stepped into the
breach, agreeing to support Miss Smith for the full 20 miles. Not only did he
support and run with her, he also pushed her up the hills and waited for her after the boggy marshland; what
a hero! Thanks to the kindness of their friends and family, Miss Smith and Mr Hargreaves have raised over £450
for St Luke’s Hospice.

Family Fun in Science Revision

In May, students and their parents spent the evening in College exploring
ways to work together at home to consolidate the students' learning in
Science. The Science Department has used the most up-to-date research
on learning to develop a policy on using self-testing techniques at home,
after working with the Education Endowment Fund and the Research
Schools Network. As part of this work, they invited parents and students in
to practice the self-testing strategies.
Denise Smith, Director of Science said, "It was a delight to see the parents
and students working together; there was much laughter and everybody
really challenged themselves using these techniques designed to boost
long-term memory. The aim is for this to continue at home on a frequent
and regular basis, which will undoubtedly enhance the outcomes for the
students." One parent later emailed Mrs Smith to say, "I learnt so much and feel so much more confident
supporting my daughter through her GCSE studies."

A Celebration of Student Talent

On Friday, 24 May, the final day before half term, staff at the College were
privileged to watch a showcase performance of ‘When we were young’, by
Adele, sung by Maisie Frickleton (also an England football player) and
accompanied on the piano by Hannah Ganderton, who are both Year 10
students. “It is wonderful to enable all of our staff to see the varied talents at
the College, which are totally awe-inspiring,” said Gill Taylor, Deputy Principal.

The College Echo - Summer 2019 - www.ivybridge.devon.sch.uk