Is Manning to become one of the first National Schools of Creativity?

We are please to announce that Manning School is through to the second round in our bid to become one of the first National Schools of Creativity.

See the article on the Nottingham Evening Post Website or read it here.

JUST IMAGINE US, CHANGING LIFE IN SCHOOL

09:00 - 24 November 2007

The future of teaching in England could be shaped through the imaginative approach of a city secondary school.

Manning Comprehensive, in Aspley, has applied to the Government to become one of the first National Schools of Creativity - centres that will put new twists on traditional subjects.

Some 30 schools around England will get the special status and develop new teaching methods to shape the national curriculum, using art, music, drama and dance to teach academic subjects like maths, history and biology.

Joint head teacher Lesley Lyons said: "We see embedding creative learning as a way of raising achievement at the school. It enables all children to make sense of difficult concepts, and that in turn leads to more confidence and self-esteem.

"Ministers are waking up to the fact that creative elements of the curriculum can make a massive difference. We want to take that to the next level."

One project already in place at Manning sees pupils working with an artist, recently making models and pictures to learn about the biological process of photosynthesis.

Student Jessica Martin, 14, said: "We created art about science and put it all into an exhibition that explained how the process worked.

"It's fun, but it also really helps you to memorise what you are learning - a lot more than if you just wrote it down."

Five other primary schools, one infant school and a special school in the city are also applying for the special status.

But the bid tops off an impressive turnaround for Manning, which two years ago looked set for closure.

Nottingham City Council deferred a final decision on shutting the school in 2005 after protests. Exam scores then started to improve and the school got specialist arts status, which brought extra funding.

Pupil Bianca Tate, 14, said: "It would be really nice for the school to be chosen and to be heard. It's things like this that will give us a chance to express ourselves as one."

The first stage of the bidding process should be completed by the end of the year, with schools getting official visits. The first National Schools of Creativity will be announced in spring 2008.

joseph.watts@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk

 

Manning Youth Theatre

This summer (2007) we have started a new venture to befit our status as a Performing Arts College. Manning Youth Theatre is a free Youth Theatre group, held on Saturday mornings in term time only. It is open to all children and young people between the ages of 9 and 18. We accept applications from all members of the community.

Further information can be found on the Manning Youth Theatre Website http://myt.manningschool.co.uk/

Headlines - Summer 2007

Each term Manning School publishes a news letter called 'Headlines' featuring topics the students have been working on and news articles from all of the school faculties and year groups. Some of the articles featured in the Summer 2007 are included below.

DATES FOR YOUR DIARIES 2006 - 2007

School Finishes for Half Term Friday 25th May
Half Term Holiday Monday 28th May - Friday 1st June
INSET DAYS
No students in school Friday 29th June and Monday 2nd July
Last Day of Summer Term Friday 20th July

INSET DAY
No students in school Monday 3rd September
First Day of Autumn Term Tuesday 4th September
Open Evening for prospective students Thursday 27th September

The Humanities Debate.

This house believes that Darwin was the most dangerous man in Britain.

What do you think? This was the topic debated by 9_1 and 9_2a in History on Friday 11th May. The debate was held in a formal ‘Oxford Style’ and followed 200-year-old rules for debating. Similar debates are still held in the world famous Oxford Union. Each team nominated a proposer and a seconder who bravely made their arguments. The discussion was then opened to the floor. The adjudicators decided that 91 had won the debate because they used lots of evidence to back up their arguments.

Everyone did brilliantly and we intend to build on this success and hold regular Oxford debates. Well done to everyone involved.

Humanities and Languages - Trip to Amsterdam

On the 9th July 44 Manning students will travel to Amsterdam. Our main reason for going is to visit the home of Anne Frank who wrote one of the most famous diaries ever written while hiding from the Nazis during World War 2. Amsterdam is one of the most interesting cities in Europe and students will also get the chance to do some sightseeing. Prior to the trip students will find out more about Anne Frank’s life to help them get the most out of this exciting experience. The trip filled up quite quickly and we apologise to anyone who was disappointed. We plan to run another trip abroad next year so hopefully more students will be able to get involved.

Mrs Gogelescu and Miss Marrow

Signing for Rwanda

This term the Sign Language Club have been working hard producing lots of colourful posters and signs to send to Rwanda.

The students have learnt a variety of topics since September and have chosen the ones that they feel are the most important. From this they have photographed each other signing and then produced colourful posters that demonstrate them signing alongside a picture of the subject. The topics they decided to use were family, colours, sports, animals and the alphabet.

Our next aim is to video the students signing conversations and this will then be sent to Rwanda, which hopefully the school can watch on their DVD players which Manning helped to raise money for.

All the students have enjoyed making resources for Rwanda and hope that the school are pleased with their efforts.

Well done ladies!

Mrs. Budding

Year 7 Step

This term, Year 7 STEP group are making sculptures using willow. They have designed their own models, inspired by their recent trip to Windmill Allotments.

Willow is a difficult material to work with but the group have approached this project with innovation and enthusiasm!

Miss Barker

PE and Expressive Arts

PE and Expressive Arts have had a quiet half term getting to grips with our new Performing Arts Status and preparing ourselves for the busy half term ahead.

We are looking forward to Year 8, 9 and 10 Rounders, an Athletic competitions for all Years and Rowing at Holme Pierrepont, which was really good fun last year.

As a faculty we are also organising a trip to London to see one of the top theatre productions, so watch this space!

Miss Fenyn

7_2b's World War One Display

At the beginning of this term, 72b worked really hard on producing a new display on the Humanities landing. They first had to research what a trench looked liked and why it was like this. Then using assorted bits and pieces, from milk cartons to cardboard tubes, they recreated a cross section of a World War One trench. This is t o help Year 9 who are just starting a unit in History on World War One.

Ms Hodgson

Photography Project

Year 10 are working with artist Michael Forbes on a photography project in their art lessons.

The students are having fun taking their own photographs and making them into a collage.

I will keep you informed of their activities later in the term.

 

 

It’s looking good ladies!

Mrs Ayre
Art Department

New School Nurse for Manning

Hi, I’m Sheila Border the new school nurse at Manning. I will be in school most mornings.

If you have any concerns about your daughters well-being I will be happy to try and help.

Please do not send girls who are unwell to school, assuming I will be able to look after them. This is not why I am here.

I have over twenty years experience of working in schools. Provided parents are supportive, most worries can be addressed. Unfortunately I don’t have a magic wand, but I will do my best!

If you wish to contact me please ring school. If I am not available please leave your contact details, I will call you as soon as I possibly can.

Best wishes

Sheila Border
School Nurse-RGN
School Nurse Cert.

Year 7

As ever Year 7 have been working hard this half term. They have been busy in the classroom but also out on the field when they assisted Year 8 students in a PE event. Everyone enjoyed this and the girls had an opportunity to participate in a variety of activities.

As you are aware Mrs Gogelescu and Miss Marrow are in the process of arranging a visit for our students to Amsterdam, primarily to share the experiences of Anne Frank with a visit to the secret attic where she spent time in hiding during World War 2. I know that a number of Year 7 students will be a part of that visit later in the year and I am sure that they are looking forward to it.

Next term will present you with opportunities to come into school to discuss and celebrate your daughter’s success in her first year at Manning. We will be looking at your daughter’s report together and setting targets for her as she goes in to Year 8 at an Achievement Mentor’s meeting on June 26th. You will receive a letter and contact from your daughter’s mentor closer to the date to arrange an appointment.

We will also be holding an Awards Presentation on the afternoon of July 12th. You will receive an invitation to this after the holiday. We look forward to seeing as many people at this event as possible.

I hope that everyone has an excellent Half Term holiday and we look forward to seeing everyone back in school on June 4th.

Mrs H M Peachey
Achievement Coordinator Year 7

Year 8

The half term holiday is nearly here and it has been a very busy half term for Year 8. During the last few weeks many parents and carers have attended an achievement review meeting and have received their daughter’s report. I would like to thank all parents and carers who came to the evening on the 9th May or have been into school since to attend this meeting. Parental support is crucial in helping Manning School promote the continued achievement of its students.

On the subject of achievement I would like to mention that after school study support takes place in the library every day from 3.30pm. Study support provides the perfect opportunity for students to get help with their homework. All year 8 students are welcome and although I know that a couple of girls from year 8 already attend I would like to see more take part.

A special mention has to be given to 81 PE group. They have just completed their Young Sports Leader Award. For this they had to plan and deliver a sports afternoon on 3rd May for a group of Year 5s, Year 6s and Year 7s. The afternoon was a huge success and was enjoyed by everyone who took part in it.

I’d like to wish everyone in Year 8 and their families a happy holiday and hope the girls return fully rested and ready to work hard for the next half term.

Miss C Hodgson

Achievement Coordinator Year 8

Year 9

This half term has been full of hard work for Year 9. After a lot of revision they came back to school after the bank holiday weekend to sit their SATs tests. Congratulations to the year group – behaviour in the exam hall was outstanding – WELL DONE. We were very proud of you. Attendance for SATs week was a high priority and this begun on the Tuesday as excellent. The percentage of attendance did drop towards the end of the week but it was still very good.

We are now waiting for the results from the tests which should arrive later in June. So good luck girls with those. Let’s hope they will be excellent levels of achievement.

This week parents and carers will have received a letter about the Year 9 trip to Magna Science Centre. This is a great opportunity for an educational and fun day out. Details about the trip are in the letter and if you have internet access you can view the web site on www.visitmagna.co.uk
As we approach the end of the year during the last half term it will be a transition period for Year 9 as they prepare and work towards beginning their exam courses in September.

I want to take the opportunity to wish the year group a good half term break and look forward to seeing you return safely on the 4th June.

Mrs Napleton

Achievement Coordinator Year 9

Key Stage 4 - Years 10 and 11

Key Stage 4 Team

Now begins a very busy time for our students. The first major written GCSE exam will have been sat and many of the others will follow in the next few weeks. Please continue to encourage your daughter to revise but also to relax to help reduce exam stress. Year 11 will begin to have more opportunities to revise in lessons and I would like everyone to ensure they have materials to do this with them.

We are all getting excited about the leaving celebration for Year 11, which you will already have had a letter about. A lot of hard work and planning has been going on to make it a successful ending to their years at Manning. The event will be a formal occasion and it would be good to see as many parents/carers as possible at this event.

Year 10 will also be sitting some GCSEs this year but the focus is on developing them to take over the leadership roles in school that will be vacated by Year 11. We have a number of students who are capable of doing this but we want to encourage everyone to aspire to this.

We hope everyone has a restful holiday and comes back full of enthusiasm for the final half term.

Mrs. Saunders - Key Stage 4 Achievement Co-ordinator

Mrs. Cooper - Key Stage 4 Student Support Leader