- On the first day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Ray would like some more coffee
On the second day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee 
On the third day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee 
On the fourth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
On the fifth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
On the sixth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
On the seventh day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Seven absent teachers six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
On the eighth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Eight tutors tutoring Seven absent teachers Six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
On the ninth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Nine seagulls squawking Eight tutors tutoring Seven absent teachers Six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee 
On the tenth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Ten cooks a cooking Nine seagulls squawking Eight tutors tutoring Seven absent teachers six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee 
On the eleventh day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Eleven mugs gone missing
Ten cooks a cooking Nine seagulls squawking Eight tutors tutoring Seven absent teachers
Six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses
Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
On the Twelfth day of Christmas South Dartmoor said to me Twelve cleaners cleaning
Eleven mugs gone missing Ten cooks a cooking Nine seagulls squawking Eight tutors tutoring Seven absent teachers Six poorly students FIVE LEARNING HUBS Four pregnant ladies Three mini buses Two ‘Operators’ and Ray would like some more coffee
By HKN / DIS Reception Ladies
Thursday, 20 December 2007
On the first day of Christmas
Thursday, 13 December 2007
South Dartmoor’s Got Talent
The South Dartmoor’s Got Talent contest is not only hotting up, it’s becoming dirty. Today in the staffroom members of one entry were actually seen trying to bribe one of the judges! Mrs Ingham-Hill has been warned. Fortunately, our upright, moral and virtuous Head of Religious Studies (and of the judging panel) was not for turning. He brushed off the blandishments of the thriller/killer harpies and dashed away clutching his garlic bulb. 
Now the
big question: will they be disqualified? Mr Jenkins is an upright, law abiding and honourable man. What will his co-judge, Carol Murray say? Will she call for the entry to be de-thrillered? Perhaps it’s time for a quick purification ceremony on the top corridor? For they are dangerously close to Media Studies and ICT where much of this is coming from. At least they have new material for their Ethics A level course.
... to deep learning among students
Now the
big question: will they be disqualified? Mr Jenkins is an upright, law abiding and honourable man. What will his co-judge, Carol Murray say? Will she call for the entry to be de-thrillered? Perhaps it’s time for a quick purification ceremony on the top corridor? For they are dangerously close to Media Studies and ICT where much of this is coming from. At least they have new material for their Ethics A level course.There’s been no cheating, so far as we can tell, in this year’s mock exams. The marks are just coming in but it’s beginning to look promising for this year group. There’s no reason why they should out-perform other years and yet they seem to be pushing hard with good attendance and great potential. Talented teachers are doing their best for them.
We’re trying to help them manage their time, especially those we’ve identified as under particular pressure, with a new Gradewatch scheme that will see a number reducing the subjects studied to concentrate on areas where catch-up is needed. There’s particular pressure on English, Maths and Science now and we want everyone to get their best grades in these vital subjects. So staff volunteers will be on hand next term to give individual help at set times in the week. We’ll be only too pleased to keep noses to the grindstone.
Performance Leaders are working flat out to interview students and make proposals. It’s complex but worthwhile- and we’re early enough in the academic year to make a difference. This is another Kate Garvey innovation so I know it will work. In her new role as lead practitioner for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, she’s at the forefront of developments. While I cut edges, she is at the cutting edge. She’s soon to offer a Deep Learning Day at a venue near you. There will be more about that next term. And if you don’t yet know what a Deep Learning Day is, please don’t try to guess.
We’re trying to help them manage their time, especially those we’ve identified as under particular pressure, with a new Gradewatch scheme that will see a number reducing the subjects studied to concentrate on areas where catch-up is needed. There’s particular pressure on English, Maths and Science now and we want everyone to get their best grades in these vital subjects. So staff volunteers will be on hand next term to give individual help at set times in the week. We’ll be only too pleased to keep noses to the grindstone.
Performance Leaders are working flat out to interview students and make proposals. It’s complex but worthwhile- and we’re early enough in the academic year to make a difference. This is another Kate Garvey innovation so I know it will work. In her new role as lead practitioner for the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust, she’s at the forefront of developments. While I cut edges, she is at the cutting edge. She’s soon to offer a Deep Learning Day at a venue near you. There will be more about that next term. And if you don’t yet know what a Deep Learning Day is, please don’t try to guess.
... to deep learning among students
At the end of the year we will be saying farewell to two of our deepest learners- rocks on which the school has been built. So this week we interviewed for new Assistant Principals to replace Andy Hamlyn and Heather Stimson. This talent contest took us two days. The judges, a Panel of Governors and senior staff, were dazzled by the quality of presentations, ideas and innovations from a large field of internal applicants. Nat Parnell will take on the new role of Director of Teaching and Learning; Joss Glossop the post of Director of Student Performance.
It’s been a week of talent identification. With great colleagues to work with throughout the school and at every level, teaching and non-teaching, and a strong year 11, it looks as if the new year will be bright. So forget Christmas. Beam it across the website; fill the electronic space; write the message in bold and large: South Dartmoor’s got talent.
It’s been a week of talent identification. With great colleagues to work with throughout the school and at every level, teaching and non-teaching, and a strong year 11, it looks as if the new year will be bright. So forget Christmas. Beam it across the website; fill the electronic space; write the message in bold and large: South Dartmoor’s got talent.
Thursday, 6 December 2007
Something Wicked
Something wicked is stalking the History corridors. Beware- this will make your blood tingle, your skin creep and your eyes pop. Scary, spooky- the vampires are at work! Though Hallo
ween is long gone.
You see, they teach about the Black Death and also cover violent, gory and murderous events in History with tales of executions, killings and evil. It’s much more interesting than all that goody goody Florence Nightingale stuff. And because this has been going on for years (even the walls decorated with it), there’s now something in the very atmosphere there. Blood-curdling stories linger in the fabric of the floor.
So, just possibly, the History teaching at South Dartmoor is now so good that the ghosts of the past are returning to enjoy hearing their old exploits discussed and analysed. Imagine a discussion of Nazi Germany in which Hitler himself joins in. Or Richard III hovering in the shadows behind that Year 9 student, enjoying once again his murderous plotting. I told you this was scary. Craig Axford and his new team may have a lot to answer for.
The proof of all this is in the latest documentary evidence unearthed by archaeologists.
It's a grainy old piece of film, lovingly restored with sparkling, super-enhanced images from Carly Stuart and her box of Media tricks. It features expert stage direction from a Jamie Bowring look- alike in school uniform (watch out James Hills), a Sam Morecombe twin enjoying a wild fling with an alternative universe’s Darren Sutton (we dare you to watch it), and Dan Smith or his ghost’s amazing scream. Can he really run so fast? Will he escape in time or have we lost a great colleague? Never mind- it was in a good cause- entertainment.
If you are of a nervous disposition, cover your eyes. This stuff would have a cinema rating for adults only- and then those over 60 at least. Even the fearless Mr Hamlyn (the real Headmaster or wot?) will quake when he sees the transformation of eight members of staff into living zombies.
Well I know everyone is exhausted so perhaps this is just a metaphor for the way they teach at this time of the year! I’m referring, of course, to Thriller Teaser 2. It has to be seen to be believed.
So approach the History rooms with care. Wild waving can become robotic raving before Katy Dable can say, ‘Morse bags to you too!’ And in case anyone thinks I’m joking, here’s my killer question. Just what happened to Mari-Anna Jones? Where is the body hidden? One History teacher whose enthusiasm went too far? Can John Sherlock live up to his name and solve that mystery? Did she go the way of James Newton, another History teacher who got carried away? What is that strange creaking sound from the radiators in Hu1? Perhaps the answer lies in the dark shadows of the Thriller video.
Meanwhile, if I were you, I wouldn’t walk down that History corridor alone (or with Louise Hogger) after dark. Unless you enjoy the sound of torture. Because no… those are not the cries of another class in detention. It’s rehearsals in progress for South Dartmoor’s got Talent. And if the Thriller Team doesn’t win, the judges should be afraid; very afraid.
ween is long gone.You see, they teach about the Black Death and also cover violent, gory and murderous events in History with tales of executions, killings and evil. It’s much more interesting than all that goody goody Florence Nightingale stuff. And because this has been going on for years (even the walls decorated with it), there’s now something in the very atmosphere there. Blood-curdling stories linger in the fabric of the floor.
So, just possibly, the History teaching at South Dartmoor is now so good that the ghosts of the past are returning to enjoy hearing their old exploits discussed and analysed. Imagine a discussion of Nazi Germany in which Hitler himself joins in. Or Richard III hovering in the shadows behind that Year 9 student, enjoying once again his murderous plotting. I told you this was scary. Craig Axford and his new team may have a lot to answer for.
The proof of all this is in the latest documentary evidence unearthed by archaeologists.
It's a grainy old piece of film, lovingly restored with sparkling, super-enhanced images from Carly Stuart and her box of Media tricks. It features expert stage direction from a Jamie Bowring look- alike in school uniform (watch out James Hills), a Sam Morecombe twin enjoying a wild fling with an alternative universe’s Darren Sutton (we dare you to watch it), and Dan Smith or his ghost’s amazing scream. Can he really run so fast? Will he escape in time or have we lost a great colleague? Never mind- it was in a good cause- entertainment.If you are of a nervous disposition, cover your eyes. This stuff would have a cinema rating for adults only- and then those over 60 at least. Even the fearless Mr Hamlyn (the real Headmaster or wot?) will quake when he sees the transformation of eight members of staff into living zombies.
Well I know everyone is exhausted so perhaps this is just a metaphor for the way they teach at this time of the year! I’m referring, of course, to Thriller Teaser 2. It has to be seen to be believed.
So approach the History rooms with care. Wild waving can become robotic raving before Katy Dable can say, ‘Morse bags to you too!’ And in case anyone thinks I’m joking, here’s my killer question. Just what happened to Mari-Anna Jones? Where is the body hidden? One History teacher whose enthusiasm went too far? Can John Sherlock live up to his name and solve that mystery? Did she go the way of James Newton, another History teacher who got carried away? What is that strange creaking sound from the radiators in Hu1? Perhaps the answer lies in the dark shadows of the Thriller video.
Meanwhile, if I were you, I wouldn’t walk down that History corridor alone (or with Louise Hogger) after dark. Unless you enjoy the sound of torture. Because no… those are not the cries of another class in detention. It’s rehearsals in progress for South Dartmoor’s got Talent. And if the Thriller Team doesn’t win, the judges should be afraid; very afraid.
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