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Physics outreach trip

Year 7 students were fortunate enough to spend a day as the guests of Cambridge University, experiencing life in a college and a hands-on physics tutorial. The Cambridge Physics Experience (CPE) is a one-day event organised by the University of Cambridge's Cavendish laboratory in collaboration with several Cambridge Colleges. The day included a morning tour of Magdalene college, followed by information about studying at university, and advice on Higher Education and applying to university. Students particularly enjoyed searching for the secret door in the wood paneling of the formal dining hall. After lunch the students visited the Cavendish Laboratory, where they were given a tour of the museum which contains many historically important pieces of apparatus which have contributed to major discoveries by members of the Laboratory. Exhibits include apparatus used by Maxwell, Thomson, Rutherford, Aston, Cockcroft and Walton. Post Second World War exhibits include the discovery of pulsars, and the structure of the DNA molecule. Students were then split into teams for a practical session when they were tasked with building a robust Mars Rover.

Junior debate launched

The BVC Junior Debating competition was launched to year 7 students this week - with a debate on the merits of fish and chips! Year 10 students showcased their debating skills by holding a staged debate during Assembly discussing This house believes that Fish and Chips is better than McDonalds, with debating coach Mrs Boxall explaining the different stages of the debate as they went along. The teams (above) were assisted by younger students acting as chairman and timekeepers. Students in Year 7 now have the chance to take part in their own debating competition by forming their own teams and practicing together. The heats will take place during lunchtime Debate Club and teams will debate the following motions: This house would welcome robots in our homes. This house believes footballers are paid too much. This house believes books are better than films. This house believes teachers should be replaced by robots. The grand final will take place later this term.  

Termly Heron

Our termly Heron magazine has been published and is available to view here.

CamSight Assembly

It's always good to welcome back former students - but even better if they are prepared to take an assembly! We were fortunate enough to be visited by Nick Burr, a former BVC student and now spokesperson for Cam Sight, a charity that supports people of all ages with low vision and blindness across Cambridgeshire. Nick lost his eyesight overnight  five years ago due to cancer. He told Year 9 students: "Luckily I survived this terrible disease, however it did take my eyesight away. Cam Sight were there to help me and I was a client for several years. "I then started to volunteer for the charity, then moved onto an internship and then a job offer last year. My role is very varied from holding public talks to at schools and companies to organising fundraising events across Cambridgeshire." Nick explained many of the aids available to blind and partially-sighted people including phone apps and gadgets to help with making a cup of tea. Amber the guide dog was also introduced to students (right). A keen sportsman, Nick then led a session of Goalball (above) where students took part in a match wearing black-out eye masks and using a ball fitted with a bell.

DofE accreditation

BVC has been awarded a special certificate to mark the fact that we are now a Directly Licenced Centre to run the world-famous Duke of Edinburgh Award. The award was presented to  Miss Rachel Ward, Head of Geography, who leads the DofE challenges at BVC and is herself a Gold Award holder. Duke of Edinburgh Award is a charity for young people. Those that are adventurous, caring, sporty, creative… however you might describe yourself, the Award is for you. At BVC the Bronze Award is available for y10 and 11 students. To achieve the award you need to complete 4 sections: Volunteering: To make a difference within your community or helping individuals Skill: To develop practical and social skills and personal interests Physical: To achieve greater physical fitness and a healthy lifestyle through sport Expedition: To get a sense of adventure and discovery, by planning, training for and completing an adventurous journey as part of a team. We complete 2 weekends camping and adventuring.

Exam season starts

Many congratulations to our GCSE Drama students who have completed their practical drama modules. Year 11 students performed their monologue and ensemble pieces to an external examiner today (Friday). This was the culmination of two years' work together and saw the students transform into such diverse characters as cocktail waitresses, bereaved mothers and AIDS carriers. Head of BVC Drama Ms Shortt said: "They all did incredibly well. They have worked so hard for this with extra classes and weekend rehearsals - I was so proud of them all." This is the first of the practical GCSE exams - next week will see Year 11 students complete their two-day Art exam.  

Prom fundraiser

Staff v Students Volleyball match Thursday 28th March 1pm start 50p entrance fee Plus Cake stall  

BVC Sports Stars

Senior BVC sports stars were honoured at the annual Roy Burrell Awards - with diving champion Ben Cutmore picking up the prestigious Sportsman of the Year title. The event is held annually at Netherhall School to recognise sporting excellence across schools in Cambridgeshire and this year saw Helen Richardson Walsh, England Hockey player and gold medal winner at the Olympics, hand out the awards. Seven year 11 students from Bassingbourn were awarded medals for competing at a high level in their chosen sport: Ben Cutmore (diving), Max Bowen (athletics), Max Crane (football), Louis Chadwick (football), Fleur Corlett (dance), Ed Vickers (trampolining) and Sam Daniels (cycling). Teachers Dan Beck and Helen Guilder accompanied the students to the event. Ms Guilder, join head of PE, said: "This is another amazing achievement for Ben. We are so proud of them all. "Ben is a superb student. Despite his diving commitments, he keeps on top of his work load and school work and is an extremely level headed and conscientious student.  Ben’s achievements in diving are amazing and I believe he is the biggest talent we have had at Bassingbourn. "I am sure that with his commitment and focus, we will see him competing at the Olympics in the not too distant future." 16-year-old Ben (right) began diving at the age of 7 as part of the Learn to Dive programme and by 10 was the British National Age Group champion and the youngest member of the Junior GB squad. He became British Junior Elite Champion in 2016 and,…

Dance Show 2019

BVC debaters union treat

Senior debaters from BVC travelled to Cambridge to visit the world-famous Cambridge Union debating chamber. The students were invited to attend one of the union's weekly debates by the President of the Union, Will Smart. The trip was a celebration of the end of the debate season which saw the students successfully compete in a number of debating and public speaking competitions. They were accompanied by Mrs Daniells and Mrs Lynn. Now the oldest debating society in the world, and the largest student society in Cambridge, the Union remains a unique forum for public debate. In the past the Society has hosted such great figures as Winston Churchill, Theodore Roosevelt and the current Dalai Lama. BVC students were lucky enough to sit in on the hustings event for the forthcoming Union elections, listening to a cross section of University of Cambridge students pitch for positions on the Union council. Guest debaters for the evening included Sr Chris Ham, former Chief Executive of the Kings Fund; Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, founder of the Mary Seacole Centre for Nursing Practice and one of the most influential nurses in the NHS; Eleanor Smith, Labour MP and former theatre nurse; and Baroness Jolly, Lib Dem spokeswoman for Health. Their motion was This House Regrets The NHS's Status As A National Religion. The photograph (right) shows BVC students with Dame Anionwu (centre).

Bassingbourn Village College

South End, Bassingbourn, Royston, Hertfordshire, SG8 5NJ

01763 242344

office@bassingbournvc.org
absence@bassingbournvc.org

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