Teaching and Learning News: Summer term 2017

26th May 2017Mrs D Perrin

Respect  Aspire  Achieve  Enjoy

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After many weeks of planning, it was good to finally see the contractors on site as they begin the first phase of improvement works to the Oathall campus. A series of ‘enabling’ works will be taking place throughout the remainder of this term in readiness for the closure of our current science and maths block, scheduled for late July.

We look forward to new Heads of House and Careers offices being completed over the next few weeks with new and enhanced ICT provision following shortly after. Significant decorative improvements are also taking place to a number of classrooms in the college in preparation for the temporary relocation of science and mathematics faculties for the 2017 /18 academic year.

As I write, we have now embarked on the first week of the final GCSE examinations. I would like to extend my thanks to Mrs Aldridge and her team for managing the examinations programme at the school and I am sure that you would want to join me in sending the very best of wishes to all of our Year 11 students at this very special time.

House News

We are in the final term of the year and excitement over the House Championship is hotting up (just like the weather). Attendance scores are in for March-April and we have Discovery in 1st place, followed by Pioneer, Voyager and Endeavour, all pushing hard to gain the top spot.

This leaves the House Championship table looking like this.

Bake-Off Feedback

Pun intended! Our students had enormous fun taking part in Bake-Off. There have been plenty of photos on the main school website for you to look at, this is a reflection of what they learned.

  • They had to come up with their own design ideas
  • They then had to use their creative skills to make their ideas a reality
  • They had to work to a deadline
  • They experienced how it felt to be judged by adults with knowledge of commercial cake making.

Their cakes will be on display at the Ardingly Showground, in the Norfolk Pavilion.

Geography Field Trip

Just before Easter, 90 Geography students from Year 10 visited the River Tillingbourne near Box Hill for a practical, hands-on day of learning. Their objectives were to measure the width, depth and velocity of the river, as well as to observe local surroundings. Students were also able to follow the river as it changed downstream. They wore “attractive” waterproof trousers and wellies, which meant they could get into the river and feel it moving around them, to understand and feel its velocity, museumand to see how it changed depth and width. The students all appreciated how this made what they had learned in their textbooks come alive.

History Trip to Ypres

Recently, more than 40 students from Year 9 spent the day in and around Ypres in Belgium. They visited the Tyne Cot Cemetery, which is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, the Hooge Museum in Ypres, and walked through a trench. They attended a Last Post ceremony at the Menin Gate. They learned about warfare techniques used by both sides including the use of gas. Despite a long day, taking in all the experiences and emotions, they still had time to visit a local chocolate shop and enjoy delicious Belgian chocolate, a positive note to end on.

Modern Foreign Languages Week

Just after the Easter break, Oathall was treated to a week celebrating Modern Foreign Languages. Teachers of all subjects were encouraged to add something to their lessons in another language or from another country, encouraging cross-curricular participation. Some language lessons were held in the library and teachers ran a quiz. The canteen staff treated us all to cuisine from France, Germany & Spain. It was a timely reminder to us all of the languages we teach and the languages some of us speak in addition to English, here at Oathall.

Library News

Last term, our Year 8 Graphic Novels and Manga Club, completed the Stan Lee awards as reported in the previous bulletin. The group were so enthused by the competition that they decided to continue to meet and make their own graphic novel. Sophie Hamilton, a Year 11 Art student, came in and mentored them in the art of designing and creating their own Manga illustrations and was a real inspiration to the group. Next term, they have four weeks to bring the project together and publish their work.

Half-term is a great opportunity for Year 11s to find all their Library books and English texts and return them to us as soon as possible.

Music News

Ensemble Reza Community Orchestra Concert

Students and siblings, teachers and an Oathall parent played in the Ensemble Reza Community Orchestra Performance under the baton of Steve Dummer on the 7th May 2017. The program included Radetsky’s March by Strauss, Czech Polka and a brilliant finale of Badelt’s Themes from Pirates of the Caribbean. A highlight was the guitar concerto with Adrian King, a parent at the school, the soloist.
Seren Billson, a flautist from Oathall said “I really enjoyed it and I learnt a lot, especially from Grieg’s Norwegian Dance which was quite a challenging piece.” Martijn Van Galen, a music teacher at the College said how enriching and valuable it was for our students to perform with advanced musicians and the professional players from Ensemble Reza. He also said “It was great to have the opportunity to play Jazz with this Classical Ensemble as this shows that regardless of the style of music, that quality musicianship enables musicians of all styles to enjoy playing together.”
Staff and students are now looking forward to the next performance which will be part of the Power of Music Festival at The Orchards on 10th & 11th of June followed by the Oathall Summer Concert in the main hall at the college on Tuesday 27th June 2017 at 7 pm.

Rebetiko Carnival

21st November 2016J Godbolt

Earlier this year, the Rebetiko Carnival, one of the most exciting and biggest music festivals in Europe landed on the shores of the UK. The infectious, uplifting traditional music of Greece and Asia minor resounded through the streets of cities of the UK from Brighton, Shrewsbury, Bristol and Manchester, with the heart of the festival in London before arriving at Oathall this November. This culminated in a wonderful workshop and concert bringing together incredible musicians, young and old, Oathall students, amateurs and professionals.

What is Rebetiko?

Rebetiko is the music of an urban sub culture of musicians called “rebetes”. Although they openly emerged in Greece in the 1920’s, rebetiko music is a rich synthesis of music from all over Greece that expresses the pain and suffering of the people at the time. In a heartfelt way of reflecting life, these songs can be full of humour and profound beauty. The instruments used vary depending on the style of song. Most common are the bouzouki, baglama, guitar, oud, violin, kanonaki, santouri, hand held percussion. The voice, of course is a very important aspect of this music and one must not forget the dance. The songs are based on the many different types of rhythms found throughout this part of the world and it spirit of dance drives every song.

BBC Ten Pieces

26th November 2015J Godbolt
Hannah Newson Xylophone Felix Carter Mrs Van Galen Rose Fredericks Trumpet

Rehearsing for the concert performance

Since last summer students at Oathall & pupils from 6 Mid-Sussex Primary schools have been feverishly practising and rehearsing in preparation to take part in the BBC Ten Pieces performance. Ten Pieces is an exciting initiative for schools, led by BBC Learning and the BBC Performing Groups that aims to open up the world of classical music to a generation of children and inspire them to develop their own creative responses to ten pieces of music. The project culminates today with a concert at the Kings Church in Burgess Hill.

Listen here to a BBC Sussex radio interview about the project.

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Lunchtime musical concert

22nd May 2015J Godbolt

Oathall musicians went along to watch Ensemble Reza’s cellist Sarah Carvalho-Dubost and guest bassoonist, Susana Dias for a lunchtime concert at the Haywards Heath Methodist Church in Perrymount Road last week.Music-Ensemble Reza

They were treated to a varied and very interesting programme which included music by Beethoven, Brahms and The Pink Panther theme. The cello and bassoon playing together is an unusual but very beautiful combination and Mrs Mac Taggart and the musicians will be trying this combination at school rehearsals to see if they can create the same beautiful timbres.

Eve Mustin who was one of the students who attended the concert said,

“I really enjoyed going to see Ensemble Reza’s concerts. The bassoon and cello complimented each other well and I recognised some of the pieces and composers. The musicians were amazing and very inspirational. Overall, it was a fantastic musical experience.”

Oathall nationally recognised for arts and cultural education

1st December 2014J Godbolt

Back row left to right: Mr Martijn Van Galen, Mr Edward Rodriguez, Mrs Amy Kingsford, Mrs Carol Mac Taggart, John Moore (art and music), Kelly Tingley (dance), Joe Willis (drama), Rhiannon Jones, (dance), Sophie Farrell (drama), Mina Mae Alexander (music), Nathanael Thomas-Atkins (music). Front row left to right: Mrs Carla Avery, Charlotte Weller (music and drama)

Artsmark Gold has been awarded to Oathall College for its commitment to, and excellence in, arts and cultural education.  Headteacher, Mr Edward Rodriguez presented the award to a group of students representing all of the arts disciplines at the last night of the college’s performance of William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. (more…)

Oathall’s Big Sing

17th October 2014J Godbolt

Pupils from Haywards Heath primary schools joined students from Oathall Community College today for a morning of music and singing at Oathall’s Big Sing. Now in its third year, the Big Sing aims to boost the musical confidence and experience of Year 5 and 6 pupils by allowing them to perform with older students under the expert tutelage of Emily Barden, Head of Vocal Studies at WSCC Music and music teacher Martijn Van Galen. (more…)

Zimbe! Come sing the songs of Africa

30th June 2014J Godbolt
Zimbe performers at Ardingly

Oathall’s performers having a quick break in the summer sunshine at Ardingly.

Oathall’s choir joined over 500 hundred singers at Ardingly College last Wednesday for an epic performance of British composer Alexander L’Estrange’s African-Jazz choral masterpiece Zimbe!

Zimbe! is a fusion of traditional African song and jazz, in a format which is already drawing together singers of all ages, ability and nationalities across the globe. The music is accessible, instantly likeable and fun to learn as well as to perform.

The event was part of the Ardingly Arts Festival in support of Ardingly in Africa, staged in conjunction with West Sussex Music.

Zimbe!

3rd March 2014Oathall
OCC students with Alexander seen centre in orange

OCC students with Alexander seen centre in orange

A group of OCC students took part in a special workshop at Ardingly College yesterday, Sunday 2 March, with renowned composer Alexander L’Estrange.

Alexander’s Zimbe score is a fantastic fusion of traditional African songs and jazz music.

Our musical students will be joining hundreds of others from West Sussex on stage to perform it as part of the Big Sing showcase at the Ardingly ArtsFest in Haywards Heath.

The festival runs from Sunday 22 – Thursday 26 June 2014 and our performance of Zimbe will take place on Wednesday 25 June, find out more here.