Issue 14 | 27th September 2024

A Message from Ms Williams

Dear Parent & Carers

Over this past fortnight I have had so many privileges. The privilege to go into lessons every day and see passionate teaching and active, thoughtful learners. The privilege to go into our local feeder Primary schools to tell the community of Year 6 students about our fantastic school, the privilege of talking to Parents at our Year 9 and 10 information evenings, the privilege of talking to our staff about what it is they are currently learning and the privilege of talking to our incredible students about how their school year has started.

At Applemore we are a family and it is so important that we work together in partnership, to help install a real love of life-long learning. This week you will see this through our renewed vision for homework, Geography field trips, Life lab experiences, silver Duke of Edinburgh, Matilda auditions and the amount of children who are coming to help with our Open event this Saturday morning! Sincerely thank you for all the conversations you are having at home about what it is you are learning and why we continue to do so. 

With very best wishes,

Ms C Williams

Headteacher

"There is no power for change greater

than a community discovering what it cares about"

Margaret J. Wheatley

Tomorrow marks our exciting new Open Event - "WHERE MEMORIES ARE MADE AND FUTURES FORGED"

Our Open Event will give families time to experience what Applemore is like both inside the classroom and beyond, focussing on the wealth of memory making moments students can participate in. 

Our programme of events include:

• Discover Applemore - A 15 minute presentation from Clare Williams, our Headteacher, current students and Alumni about their own Applemore journey.
• The Greatest Show - Enjoy performances from some of highly creative and talented students performing covers and original compositions.
• A Passport to your Future - Collect your programme for the day and capture the moment with our Green Screen Photography.
• Off the Beaten Track - Our links with British Cycling allow us to have a class set of mountain bikes. Show off your cycling skills around our course.
• Feel the Rhythm - The Rhythm of life is a powerful beat. Take part in our drumming workshop and see who can keep up with the pace!
• The Creation Station - Unleash you creative side at our Artistic Creation Station.
• Matilda Jnr - Meet the cast and be part of the fun of our next whole school production.
• Faster than a Fireman - Can you beat the fire service bleep test? Do you have the stamina and speed to reach level 8.8?
• Canteen Capers - Meet the Governors and visit our dedicated canteen area for a bacon butty or vegetarian bap.
• Beyond Applemore - Applemore is just one important step in your education and we will prepare you for the future. Visit our LRC to see how we do this. 
• DofE Dinners - Join our highly successful DofE group and sample some delectable treats all cooked on a camping stove.

Our Open Mornings present the opportunity to see Applemore in action. Observe our amazing teachers delivering lessons that challenge and engage, that capture the imagination and develop that life-long love of learning that inspires success.

We encourage everyone to attend both the Event and the Open Mornings.

If you have any questions please email: welcome@applemore.hants.sch.uk

Last Friday, Year 7 went off to Ferny Crofts Scout Activity Centre on a teambuilding activity day. Our students had a great time, trying their hand at archery and climbing, as well as guiding and supporting each other around an adventure course. They learned to communicate with each other, and listen to each other, to give and follow instructions, and to put trust in each other – it was wonderful to see. I was so pleased to see so many of our students try something new, and ‘have a go’ at something that was out of their comfort zone (and some of their Tutors having a go too!). The weather stayed fine and warm all day, and we sent them off in the afternoon tired, but smiling.

Gladiator Challenge was Jacobs Ladder but with a twist. Students had to overcome obstacles such as rope, netting and ladders to reach the top and beat a teammate! Difficulty was increased as the instructors often made the elements swing. The rest of the group needed to work together to belay the ropes to keep their teammates safe and to cheer them on to get to the top.

At the outdoor Archery range, the qualified Archery GB Instructors taught students how to shoot a bow and arrow safely.

At the purpose built Adventure Course, Mr Whitehorn showed the groups how to play and learn through a series of obstacles, such as hanging tyres, the wall, balance beams and over and under. Students completed the course a number of times, using different methods, such as blindfolded, linked together, and carrying an injured team member.

Standing at an impressive 7.2m tall, students scaled the Mobile Climbing Wall and its four climbing routes. The routes varied in difficulty, which enabled those students less confident to take part, and those thrill seekers to race against the clock. A highlight of the day for sure!

It has been the first week of the science LifeLab visits at University Hospital Southampton. The students have completed various tasks to measure their health and fitness, including lung function, using ultrasound to see arteries, flexibility, BMI and grip strength. 

They spent time talking to scientists about their research projects and jobs and were able to ask questions about their career paths.

Students also isolated DNA and completed gel electrophoresis of sample DNA to look at health epigenetics in a population. 

They also had the opportunity to practice CPR on the dummies. Students have had excellent feedback from the staff and we hope they all enjoyed their day.

We've enjoyed meeting lots of parents and carers at our recent Year 11, 10 and 9 Information Evenings - our remaining years groups are fast approaching!

Don't miss out on this amazing school trip to France!

Starbooks

Starbooks is a 'reading for pleasure' competition for the students to complete the loyalty card and review. Their reward will be ClassCharts Impress Me points, a sweet treat, and stationary bundle! The best written review will also win a book of their choice!

Bookmark Competition

Best Bookmark will win a Chocolate Bundle! Get involved kids!

In every issue of the newsletter, Mr Wheatley will be sharing his 'Artist of the Week'. We'd love to see some of our student's artwork that they attempt at home.

Life Skills at Applemore College aims to provide students with knowledge, skills and information for them to thrive throughout adolescence and into adulthood. This is done through targeted, dedicated sessions during the college week.

This week, student's were looking at:

Year 7 = Managing Team Conflicts

Year 8 = Challenging Unfair Expectations

Year 9 = Young Entrepreneurship

Year 10 = Mental Health & The Teenage Brain

Year 11 = Preparing for Change

I joined Applemore College as Head of Mathematics in September 2022 after working in another local school for 8 years. In this role, I am responsible for establishing the vision for our students within Mathematics and leading on the curriculum and progress across the department.

I am hugely passionate about ensuring that all our students feel successful and supported in Mathematics; this drives our department’s mission statement of “unlocking every child’s potential to be a successful Mathematician”. I feel exceptionally lucky to work as part of such a superb Mathematics team, who are all committed to ensuring success for all of our students.

In January 2023, I also took on the role of School Timetabler, where I am responsible for putting together the timetable for each year for our students and staff. I love this role, as it is like solving an enormous puzzle (which is very satisfying when it is complete!) and allows me to work with staff across the entire school.

What you didn't know about Mr Byrne away from work...

Outside of school, I have played the piano since I was 7 years old, and attained my Grade 8 just before I went to University. I have also recently set myself the challenge of learning to bake as this is a skill I have never managed to master. Maybe one day, I’ll be brave enough to enter the school’s annual Bake Off competitions!

On Thursday 21st November at Lyndhurst Community Centre, the Hampshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) team will be running a free event to help families better understand the needs and difficulties that young people can face and how to manage potential issues/concerns they have about their young person.

To view the schedule and/or to reserve a space at the various workshops, click the image below.

Don't miss out on these fantastic musical opportunities! All details on the flyers above - but if you have any further queries, please contact Mr Wickens.

For a full and up-to-date list of our enrichment programme & activities, click the image below to visit our website enrichment page.

Fancy joining the Applemore family? We currently have vacancies for the following positions:

• Exam Invigilators
• Cleaners (Term-Time only)
• Cleaners 

If you are interested in applying, please visit our staff vacancies webpage for full details.

As of 2024, social media giant Instagram has over two billion active users, with 8% of those (approximately 1.6 million) being under-18. That’s a lot of children and young people making use of this platform, exploring its features and being exposed to its risks – from influencer marketing to contact with strangers and plenty more. 
 
As parents and educators, it’s important to understand how to keep children protected as they discover new regions of the digital landscape – and this is no different for Instagram. Fortunately, this updated guide tells you all you need to know about potential safety concerns around Instagram and offers advice on how to safeguard children and young people as they use this platform.

#BeeWell is a programme that aims to understand the issues that matter to young people through an annual wellbeing survey delivered to secondary schools. The results are anonymised and combined so that schools, voluntary agencies, local government and health can act on what young people are saying and make positive change.

Click the image below for more details.

For all the latest events coming up, visit our calendar

Applemore College, Roman Road, Dibden Purlieu, Southampton, SO45 4RQ

023 8084 8804 | office@applemore.hants.sch.uk

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