The new Ormiston venture academy uniform will be ready for collection on Tuesday 17th – Friday 20th August 9.00am – 4.00pm, an extra day for collection will be  held on Wednesday 1st September 9.00am – 4.00pm 

You can collect the uniform from the sports hall and access to there will be through the double doors situated near the bus park. this will be sign posted on the day.

Over the course of this term the Yr10 Photographers have been on two trips to collect the visual data they need to complete their project on ‘Norfolk Landscape’.

This particular project is the largest and most involved of all the GCSE coursework and requires the students to have an understanding of the different types of landscape that is found in our county, together with the animal and plant life that inhabits that area.

The first trip was to Ranworth and Malthouse Broads, to look at fresh water habitats, reed beds, plant and animal life and the inland tourist effects.  Students were able to spend time at Ranworth Village Staithe before walking through the Norfolk Wildlife Conservation Centre, to Ranworth Broad.  There they were able to go into the floating thatched Visitor Centre, with it’s excellent views across the Broad.

Walking back through the reserve one of the wardens showed just how dangerous the area was, should anyone stray from the boardwalks, when he lifted a 10’ post from the side of the path, to show that the soft mud was covering all but 2’ of it.  Easily deep enough to drown a human.

From the Broads we went to North Denes, in Yarmouth, to provide the opportunity for beach and coastal margin images to be taken.

It was not the clearest of days but students all managed to collect images of both interest and quality.

The second trip was to Morston, in North Norfolk, where there was the chance to photograph marine landscapes and the salt flats.  Students went out to Blakeney Point on one of Beans Boats, which pulled into the shore to allow another party to dis-embark at the Point.  We went on and were lucky to spot one seal – for some reason the seals were not there in numbers this year – but the weather was hot and clear – for the first time ever.  Just ask Ms. Palmer what it can be like!

There were, however, thousands of sea birds; nesting and diving for food around the boat.  Students were taken in close to the pebbly shore, where they could see Oyster catchers nesting among the stones.

Having reached dry land  again, students had to find suitable areas in which to take ‘Joiner’ images.  Joiners are a photographic skill where a series of small images are placed together to create a large picture – similar to a jigsaw, but with overlapping edges.  It was at this point that a student went too near the edge of a mud pool and slid in – dirty, smelly and wet!  There’s always one – but on this occasion, it was not the ‘one’ you might have imagined.

Images have all now been downloaded and there are some excellent results.

Apart from the image at the top of the page, all images are by the Oriel Yr10 Photographers.

It was fantastic to see so many avid readers with their faces buried in the pages of their favourite book. Many students went that extra mile by dressing up as their favourite character; I particularly liked ‘Karate Kid’!

Thank you to all students involved for making this a thoroughly enjoyable day for us all. You were a credit to yourselves and to the school – well done.

In December five of our Year 10 students travelled to North Norfolk to spend the week working and living alongside the students at Gresham’s.  They had been for a day’s visit with their parents, but there was some nervousness on the mini bus on Sunday evening – especially from Hannah who would be alone in the Girls’ House that night, as Sophie was still recovering from the effects of flu.  The five are: Hannah Boniface, Sophie Cameron, Max Ralph, Faisal Al Yousef and Musa Hlabangana and they will be returning in September, for the second week.

As in any school week there was good and bad, the highlight for all being their day flying.  All five wrote notes about their experiences, excerpts of which follow:

Faisal wrote:
When I found out I had been selected to go to Gresham’s for a week, I was really excited and pleased that I had been chosen out of the whole year group.
When we first visited Gresham’s I was amazed at how big and tidy the school was compared to Oriel.
The first 24 hours was the hardest part of the trip. I was unsettled and felt homesick. I was told to give it time and a chance so I did and as the week went on I became more used to the routine.
The best experience at Gresham’s, by far, was the flying. It was amazing to control the plane and experience the unforgettable.
In the second part of the exchange I am most looking forward to seeing everyone again and hopefully doing some shooting which would be a good fun.
I thought Gresham’s was a fantastic school with nice kind people but I think Oriel is what I’ve got used to and I like to think is where I feel more comfortable.
Overall I enjoyed my experience and look forward to repeating certain aspects of the day at Gresham’s.  It was an experience I will never forget.

Hannah’s thoughts:
Walking around Gresham’s was an eye opener; I wouldn’t have thought that a school could be as big as that. I felt lucky to be selected for the student exchange when I was walking around.
My first 24 hours in Gresham’s was hard because I went on my own, Sophie had to go a day later as she had Swine Flu. I felt nervous but I still tried my best to make new friends. When I first saw every one in the house ‘Oakeley’ they invited me in and made me feel welcome. It was a lovely environment.
My best experience in Gresham’s was going flying, it was the most exciting experience that I have ever done.

Muzomuhle’s diary:
When I was told that I had been chosen as a Gresham’s exchange student I was looking forward to it but was not really sure if I was up to it because I knew their life-style was totally different to ours, as it is a boarding school and, on top of that, a private school which I knew would be strict .
When we arrived everyone was welcoming and I soon knew my way around Tallis and it made it easy. We were introduced to the people who would be helping us around the campus. Rory was helping me around, he was great and funny. When we got to our room we unpacked our clothes and stuff and went down to the TV room where there was a pool table and guys were watching ‘Top Gear’ on Sky. We had to go to our rooms at 9.30pm.
The best part of the exchange was when we went flying at the RAF base but to get there it was a long slow 2 hours on the mini bus. We  went to the tutorial room where we watched a DVD to show us how to fit the parachute, the suit, helmet and what we should do when stuff goes wrong while we are flying.
Hannah and Sophie were first to go, followed by 2 Gresham’s students. Then it was me and Faisal to go. We were sent to a room just at the side where the tutorial planes were stationed. We were both given a flying suit. Mine was tight but I just managed to get it on. We then got a parachute, helmet and cushion for the seats. We waited for about 5 minutes then it was my turn to fly. When I got on the plane my helmet  was connected to the plane’s system. The pilot, I think, was a middle aged male, he asked me if it was my first time flying and showed me the plane’s controls while we were taxiing waiting to take off.
When we were up flying the view was amazing – almost as if I was using ‘Google Earth’. He showed me how to control the plane. It felt like a video game. It took a few tries to get the hang of the controls, then the fun part started, he showed me how to do the ‘loop the loop’ and he did two of them so I could get the hang of it. The first try I did was scary, instead of moving the control first, I moved it sloooooowly and the gut feeling was long and lasting. The pilot wasn’t really in a good mood.
Then we did it again and I nailed it. Awesome! Then we went back to land and it felt like it was only 5 minutes after our take-off.

Max:
When I was told I was chosen for the exchange for the Gresham’s partnership, it was in my mind that it would be an amazing ‘once in a lifetime’ experience.
I must admit that the school’s facilities were brilliant and the rugby was a challenge as I have never played with such experienced players.
I was put with Max Hunter, a Year 10 student at Gresham’s. He was a very good guide and very sociable (he let me play his Les Paul Guitar) but so were all the other people and the friends I have made are truly remarkable people.

And finally, Sophie:
When I found out that I had the opportunity to go to Gresham’s for a week, I was rather excited. I really wanted to make the most of the experience, after all it’s not every day that you get picked, one out of the whole of my year to go. I felt like I should definitely try to make the most of it.
My first 24 hours were hard; I went a day late because I had been ill with swine flu and the effects of flu were really taking its toll on me. But I managed.
My best experience at Gresham’s would have to be when I went flying. It was an amazing experience, I have been flying before but this time I got to do aerobatics! Barrel rolls, turning on the wing, loop-the-loop and many more.

Do you think you are ambitious, want to make the most of your life?
Are you able to adapt to different experiences and enjoy them?
Do you find it easy to make friends?

Then maybe this is for you!

Read the information below, think about it, talk it over with
your parents and teachers and ……. if you are still interested give your name to Miss Haddleton by:

2:45pm Friday 14th May

• Every year 5 Oriel students spend 2 weeks living at Gresham’s School, in Holt, as full members of their school community.  (An Oriel teacher also stays at the school with you)
• The 2 weeks are split, so you go just before Christmas in Year 10 and the second visit is in the September of Year 11.
• ‘Oriels’ will be involved with lessons – we try to make sure that you are able to work in your own options but that isn’t always possible – but you all be in all your normal Core subjects.
• There are 3 sports afternoons per week, you will be expected to join in, unless ill or injured.  If you do not enjoy PE, then think carefully about applying.
• Gresham’s are strong in all subjects but particularly Art, Drama and Music, as well as Sports – so if you are interested in any or all of these you will be able to take part here.
• There is also a huge range of extra-curricular events.  This years’ ‘Oriels’ have all flown a plane and they have permission to receive instruction in the Rifle Range on their return this September.
• All applicants will be interviewed by Miss Haddleton and Ms. Palmer.
• This list will be narrowed down to 10, who will have a longer interview after they have presented their attendance records & copies of their last 2 reports to Ms. Palmer and Miss Haddleton.  The final 5 will then be chosen, along with 2 reserves.

How will the sponsorship with Gresham’s affect the work going on in both schools?  The partnership is not one-way, Oriel is contributing experience and expertise to Gresham’s as well as receiving input from the North Norfolk school.

Just before Easter a number of staff visited Gresham’s for a series of meetings to discuss how to encourage joint work between their students and ours.  The three, on this occasion, were Ms. Brown, Mr. Gilbert-Barnham and Mr. Sprong.  All three had a productive time and we have some exciting joint projects that will be running from this June.

Ms. Poole has already established an Art link and this has resulted in visits by our GCSE students to use the Press at Gresham’s, and another group will be travelling there on June 22nd to create some collographs.  In November a group of Gresham’s artists are visiting Oriel, to do some joint work in ceramics. 
There will be a joint Exhibition in 2010/11 at the Nicholson Gallery, in Holt, and a Gresham’s pupil will appear as a guest exhibitor in the Oriel Exhibition, to be opened in Gt. Yarmouth Library Galleries on July 2nd.

Ms. Brown will be working with the Gresham’s International Baccalaureate co-ordinator at Gresham’s, Mr. Seldon, to create a team of Year 9 pupils to work with the Oriel Yr7 Nurture group, from September 2010.  Their work will be to support numeracy and literacy and to raise the Yr7s self-esteem through their group work.  The students will physically visit each other’s schools during the year and continue the link through email, Skype and video conferencing. 
This work will complement the IB work already underway between the two schools, where pupils from Gresham’s VI Form come to work in Oriel twice during their two year IB course.

Mr. Sprong, who stayed at Gresham’s in December with the Yr10 exchange students from Oriel, had already developed some joint Expressive Arts work.  This has taken a number of forms:
• Gresham’s Theatre Technicians are coming to Oriel to look over our existing stage, lighting and sound to give an assessment – look to see if it can be ‘rescued’ or needs to be condemned and what we need in terms of replacement, in order to stage our own productions.

• Oriel & Gresham’s Yr10 Expressive Arts/Drama groups are going to participate in a joint pre-GCSE practical Drama workshop in June 2010.
• There is to be a joint schools trip to the Gt. Yarmouth Hippodrome Circus.
• Gresham’s are to loan lighting equipment for Oriel’s Drama Studio.
• There will be a series of trips to Gresham’s to watch the termly plays and musicals that they produce.
This is a very full programme that includes all year groups at Oriel.

Mr. Gilbert-Barnham’s task was not so much to launch student exchange but to see if and when the two schools could work together in terms of Information Technology – an area where Oriel is well in advance of their partner.  It was a comprehensive visit, with Mr. GB able to meet with all IT staff and technicians and he was able to make a pretty thorough assessment of what systems and methods Gresham’s uses. 
The result of the visit made it clear that this is an area where collaboration is needed but that it will be a long-term process, rather than one that could lead to immediate implementation.

There’s a lot going on – if anything here interests you and you would like to know more, please go and see the member of staff named above, or Miss Haddleton.

The ‘Final Eight’ students selected for the Gresham’s Scholarship process were asked to write a 500 word essay outlining the hopes for their future.  All the students wrote so well that it would be a shame if their inspirational words were lost.  For that reason a selection of the best quotes are reproduced below, with the permission of the students involved.

‘I am just an ordinary person who has many dreams and goals that I want to achieve in life … ‘

‘Oriel needs a person who will be it’s ambassador, someone who can represent what Oriel stands for … ‘

‘ .. I wanted to grab (the) opportunity with both hands …. to enable me to grow as a person … ‘

‘ .. I feel I would be able to participate confidently in Gresham’s favoured Arts and Sports areas … ‘

‘There is a stereotype about the school (Gresham’s) that it is just for the elite, this opportunity (the scholarship) shows that they are dedicated to offering chances to people from all walks of life regardless of colour or class.’

‘ ..I would have an opportunity to be able to experience different lifestyles and meet new people.’

‘ ..it would be a honour to study there … ‘

‘ .. Gresham’s offers the right study environment and opportunities (to) benefit my future.’

‘I feel that I would become a more mature and independent person, which is essential for moving on to university …’

‘My family played a big role in making me who I am today.’

‘ .. friends will always be there for you and they are just like family.’

‘ .. my aspirations may change as different windows of opportunity could arise.’

‘I believe the provided environment and atmosphere for my learning will be a motivator for me and help me strive to achieve my goal … ‘
‘Gresham’s would help me to mature into … ready to approach the adult world.’

‘ .. it will be the best way of preparing me for University and will show me the reality of life and how hard you have to work to get to where you want to be.’

‘ .. (sport) has given me the experience and ability to have self-discipline and control and to manage my time efficiently.’

‘ The greatest challenge I would face … would be learning to be confident and asking for help when I need it but I think once you have done something once it is always easier the second time.’

‘I am (a) student that currently enjoys and wishes to fulfil my potential in Gresham’s three key areas; Sport, Art and Academia.’

‘ … my mission is to be an outstanding ex-student of Oriel who will deliver positive results and make my school, family and friends very proud.’

‘ .. I know that my education and future does not revolve around my family.’

‘I understand how competitive the world is becoming and how hard I will have to work to achieve my goals in life … ‘

‘Helping others is one of my personal qualities and it gives me fulfilment.’

‘I strive to succeed at everything I do and enjoy the reward of attaining my goals.’

‘ .. I have learnt not to be self-centred and at home we have been taught to be considerate, respectful, grateful, kind and to listen to others’ opinions as well as having our own.’

‘The greatest challenge if I won … would be having more responsibility and independence … and having to make life-changing choices for myself.’

‘I am an ambitious person and will do whatever it takes to get to exactly where I need to be.’

‘I have no concerns regarding my future, as I have always believed that I am the only person that can be responsible for my success.’

‘I don’t have any worries about my future because I’m determined to succeed and will work hard even if I’m not successful with this application … ‘

‘ I am looking forward to being  a successful … young man, willing to lend a helping hand, making a difference to other people’s lives … ‘

‘ .. I have made some great friends … friends who are always there for me and always will be … ‘

Please be advised that due to circumstances out of our control  the following members of staff will not be available for you to meet with.

Miss King – Dance

Miss Ditcham – Music

Miss Poole – Art

Mr Giles – Maths and French

Mrs Williams – Humanities

Miss Hollis – PE

Mr Coleman – Technology

Mr Sprong – Creative Arts and Maths

Miss Playford – Nurture

Over a number of years Oriel and the UEA have been working together in the field of education.  This enterprise has expanded rapidly this year, thanks to the work of Mrs Williams and Ms. Chapman.

One of the initiatives has been to support Post Graduate Certificate of Education (PGCE) students as one of the University’s partnership schools.  As part of this focus Oriel hosted four students on their first work placement and two on their second.  The subjects they worked in were History, RE, English and PE.

Playing host to students in this way brings new thinking into the school and teaches the prospective teacher the skills to teach effectively in similar institutions. It also provides stimulus for the Oriel teachers to reflect on their own methods and practice.

Oriel also supports the UEA with it’s Student Associate Scheme, in which Graduates work at Oriel for three weeks whilst they decide whether teaching is the career for them.

In addition to hosting trainees Oriel staff have worked at the University, lecturing on the techniques necessary for the classroom.  As part of this Mrs Williams has worked closely with the History PGCE students on the classroom skills needed for teaching students with Special Educational Needs.  Lectures have been given by Ms Chapman about the Pastoral System and Role of the Form Tutor, to all the PGCE students and, anecdodally,  it has been judged one of the top five lectures by those listening.

Well done Ms Chapman and Mrs Williams!

(Image coutesy of the UEA)