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Curriculum Enrichment Day
KEVICC had the first of its Curriculum Enrichment Days
in October, spending the day exploring topics that ranged
from studying the Stop Hate Campaign to working with
representatives from the Totnes Neighbourhood Plan team.
Year 7's focus was on Health and Well-being, with sessions
on healthy eating, relationships and getting active. They
were challenged to make pledges for positive change in each
of the three areas, and also to come up with random acts of
kindness throughout the day - and to see what effect those
had on the people they offered them too.
Their first session compared healthy and unhealthy menus
- they were asked to work out which was which, and if they
could spot the difference between the two menus. Then
they devised their own healthy alternative canteen menu.
They moved on to spend time discussing relationships,
and thinking what each type of relationship means in their
lives. They made a Mind Map of all the relationships in their
lives, and their pledges for positive change were intended
to enhance these relationships. They also spent time in a
Capoeira dance session, learning about this Afro-Brazillian
martial art of movement, dance, music and song.
Year 8 built and programmed Legomodels which they needed
to navigate around a set course - harder than it seemed,
especially as many of them had had little experience of
programming before. This increased their spatial awareness;
developed problem-solving skills, and taught them the
importance of choosing a good leader for each group – and
of following that leader's instructions. They also played a
lively trading simulation game, which challenged them to
put their enterprise, maths and business skills into action. It
provided them with resources to facilitate an exciting, fast-
paced time, working together in teams, and competing to
trade oil and make a profit.
Year 9 began the KEVICC Stand Up To Hate campaign that
it's intended will run across all year groups in the College.
Students watched videos giving examples of hate crime;
spent time looking at hate as an emotion, and sketched
out their campaign plan in small groups. Each group had to
begin a plan; design a logo and come up with a slogan, and
the winning proposal will form the basis of the College-wide
campaign.
Year 10 were introduced to Totnes Neighbourhood Planning
Group representative Thea Platt, and to Margaret Wilkinson
of Planning for Real. Students were asked to think about
their vision for Totnes in the future, and the Neighbourhood
Planning Group were very pleased to have the opportunity to
work with local students and to hear their views.
In the Sixth Form, Year 12 were exploring the effects of binge
drinking and alcohol awareness. Year 13 were exploring the
impacts of pornography on young people’s perceptions
of sex and identity and a guest speaker talked to Year 13
girls about breast awareness. Meanwhile, the Year 13 boys
were learning about the importance of testicular health
awareness.
Student comment:
I really enjoyed this day, working on specific things, instead
of in ordinary lessons.
I loved programming the Lego robots - it was great when it
worked and they followed the instructions!
I
liked
being a team leader and making decisions - it made
me realise it's an important job, as I had to get things right.
It was hard being a team leader because I had to get my
team to listen to me and follow my instructions.
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Summer School 2015
Summer School gave children from
years 5 and 6 two weeks of thrills,
fun and new experiences in our Arts
and Sports weeks.
Arts Week had an environmental
theme running through the art,
dance, drama and music workshops,
and included a visit from local
performance poet, Matt Harvey. His
book of poems
The Element in the
Room
provided inspiration for all the
sessions.
Sports Week was action-packed
and saw the young students take
on some breathtaking challenges
off-site at Marjon in Plymouth;
Adrenalin Quarry in Liskeard and at
Haldon Forest. They also developed
new skills in Basketball, Badminton
and Rock-it-Ball at KEVICC.
Thanks to Alex Harris and Jason
Beynon for running such great
weeks.
Comments from the children: Arts
What did you especially like?
Making new friends and the
choice of workshops.
Getting to know other people
and to co-operate.
What could have been better?
NOTHING! I loved it – it was fun!
What was good about working with
other people?
Learning their differences.
You got to know new people who
you enjoyed doing things with.
Did you learn new things this week?
That I look RUBBISH in a bin bag!
That dance is not a piece of cake.
To recycle more stuff to make
new stuff.
Comments from the children: Sports
What did you especially like?
Being able to play team games.
You learn to work better in a
group.
Going out on trips to places like
Adrenalin Quarry.
What could have been better?
Nothing.
The weather!
What was good about working with
other people?
I got to know more people.
Making friends.
Did you learn new things this week?
How to play the sports games
properly.
The rules for rounders.
