There are exciting plans being made for KS3 Humanities students following a very productive meeting between Ms. G. Greengrass (Head of Faculty) and Simon Tansley (Visitor Operations Site Supervisor for English Heritage) and Elaine Ellis (Visitor Operations Team Member), using the English Heritage sites around our area.  This incredibly generous offer from English Heritage includes tour guides for each visit and free entry.  In addition all Humanities teachers will have a pass to admit them, again free of charge, so that they will have a working knowledge of all the sites before they visit with the students.  English Heritage is also providing all the Teacher’s Packs, free of charge.

English Heritage been linked with Oriel for three years, during which time the GCSE Photography students have been granted free access to the sites in Gt. Yarmouth, to take images for their examination projects.  The Drama students have also worked with Simon Tansley during the ‘Night of the Museums’ event, providing ‘live’ tableaux within the Merchant’s House and Row 111.  This will again be happening at the same event in 2010.

KS3 students will now be visiting Greyfriars Cloisters and the Row houses to study such events as; the religious changes that have happened in Yarmouth; local history; city and town development and the environment – all National Curriculum requirements but now, hopefully, brought to them with a local flavour.  Greyfriars Cloisters fell into disrepair following the dissolution of the monasteries in the 16th century, it was used for a time in the 17th century as a military training ground and then in the 18th & 19th centuries properties were built into the site (as land was at a premium as there was still no expansion beyond the towns walls.)  There was a Victorian school house built into the site, and this is where James Paget did some of his schooling.  This was a school where the sons of the local ‘well-to-do’ were educated.  One child whose education began there was Sir James Paget – whose name is now given to the local hospital.  One fact you may not be aware of, though, is that his name was strongly linked with the ‘Jack the Ripper’ case in London – so we may be honouring a notorious mass murderer!

English Heritage have also offered access to a local boat trip, only available to the general public at limited times during the year, to visit the Wind Pump at Berney, combined with a river view of the Roman ruins at Burgh Castle – seen as it would have been by the Romans themselves!  This will provide an insight into man-made and natural environments, and the interaction of the two, to create the world we all live in.

Other projects being discussed as part of the new link is for the comparison and contrast of old and new Yarmouth; the rise and fall of industry over the years; how the industry has changed and shaped the town and the economic impact it has had.  Tied to this study will be a look at the Outer Harbour and whether this will provide another new beginning for the town.

All images of the Gt. Yarmouth English Heritage sites are provided by the Yr9 GCSE Photography group.

Congratulations to Faisal , Claire , Freya , Alex , Tom  and Jamie  who all completed their BBC News Day challenge on Thursday 11th March.

Working with BBC Norfolk reporter, Andrew Turner the pupils planned, recorded, edited and broadcast a news bulletin that featured throughout the day on BBC Norfolk radio. Listen to their final version here!

ORIEL SCHOOL NEWS DAY

Alex , Freya  and Claire  will be broadcasting a live one hour radio show on Wednesday.

Listen to them live on Wednesday 24th March between 10am – 11am at www.exchangeradio.co.uk

Good Luck guys!

On Friday afternoon we were delighted to receive the news, from Gresham’s, that Luba Ndidi has become the first ever recipient of the Oriel Exhibition Scholarship.

On Saturday Luba and his family had to travel up to Holt again for a press call; interviews and photographs for the Eastern Daily Press, together with the Headmaster of Gresham’s, Mr. Philip John.  It was quite a gruelling session, lasting the best part of an hour, but Luba conducted himself with quiet dignity throughout.

Well done Luba, we look forward to hearing all about your experiences over the next two years.

Well, the much anticipated results are finally in for the Gresham’s scholarship – many congratulations, Luba Ndidi! It seems a dream Miss Haddleton has had for some years has finally come true and I felt very, very privileged to see it happen. Luba will start his sixth form studies in Holt this coming September.

Miss Haddleton and I waited with the excited mums of Daniel Saka and Luba for what seemed like an age whilst they moved from task to interview – to interview. Nerve-racking stuff! Both chaps, as I’m sure you’ll agree from Miss Haddleton’s web post below, looked ‘the business’ and really impressed the staff at Gresham’s. Boys, we are so, so proud of you both and wish you the very best for your last few months at Oriel.

I’m going to let you all into a secret too – we found out on Friday that Ms Robinson, our Classroom Assistant for Technology has been shortlisted to win ‘Teaching Assistant of the Year 2010’ in the National Teaching Awards – big congratulations! Miss Robinson was nominated by her faculty who are so pleased with the great work she does to help to push you all to succeed in Technology – the judges are in on 29th March, so fingers crossed!

It’s been a busy week, so when the rest of you were completing your mile for Sports Relief (well done – we raised over £500!), I was fortunate enough to attend the Gifted and Talented seminar at Sprowston Manor – and so was Sydney Purl! We had a super day meeting with staff and students from other schools, discussing how best to meet the needs of all students – including those who excel in one or more subjects.
On the subject of healthy lifestyles, our sports teams are racking up victories this year, so I’d also like to say a special congratulations to our Volleyball team for winning the Norfolk County Final. You are fabulous representatives and your families and friends must be very proud too.

Only two weeks until the visit from the Easter Bunny, so work hard and be happy until your well-earned break.

Daniel and Luba with Mr. John, Headmaster of Gresham's, and Ms. Palmer

The final round of interviews for the Gresham’s Scholarship 2010 has taken place, with Luba Ndidi and Daniel Saka facing a lengthy process at Gresham’s School, in Holt, with their mums present for support.

The process had begun at the start of the week with both boys having had to submit Curriculum Vitae to Gresham’s, together with a Headteacher’s reference from Ms. Palmer.  Thursday’s programme began with lunch in the school dining hall – where a number of the girls were paying quite a lot of attention to our young men!  The Registrar of the school joined the Oriel party to explain how the selection process would continue and, after lunch, had a number of questions from Gresham’s staff about who the two ‘very smart young men’ were and, having found out that they were from Oriel, wished them luck.

The first stage was the assessment, where Daniel and Luba had to face a written test to assess their thinking and reasoning skills, with most questions based around English and Maths problems.  Whilst the boys were busy the mums were taken on a tour of the school, where they were able to ask the Assistant Registrar, Georgie Barnes, all the questions that their sons had not yet found the answers to.

Having completed the assessment both boys were called to individual interviews with the Headmaster, Mr. Philip John; the Deputy Headmaster, Mr. Nigel Flower and the Director of Studies, Dr. Nicholas White.  Both boys emerged from the trio of interviews smiling and feeling that they had done well; a good way to finish the day.

Luba and Daniel now have a nail-biting wait whilst Gresham’s discuss their applications, make their decision and send out the letters which will inform them and their families who will be the lucky recipient of this year’s VI Form Scholarship.