KEVICC Courier Spring

telephone: 01803 869200 email: administration@kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk web: www.kingedwardvi.devon.sch.uk twitter: @KEVICC contributors: Jupiter Jones, Ben Cotton, Jamie Medd, Tara Bently Curtin, Rubin Bryant, Josh Shapter, Mike Morgan, Duncan Chilton, Tom Greig. King Edward VI Community College Ashburton Road, Totnes, Devon TQ9 5JX Page 1 A word from the Principal The spring edition of the Courier heralds a 'sea change' for us in more ways than one. It is the first edition to be printed locally, on recylced paper and with vegetable ink. All future editions will be printed in this way too. Throughout these pages we see so many inspiring sustainable initiatives led by our students. The KEVICC Eco Team have been leading in the way here at the college. Their clothes swap was a first for the school. Our young people encouraging the upcycling of clothes was a truly brilliant spectacle. The Climate Emergency Exhibition at the Green Table was another huge highlight, our students taking the climate message out into their community. Climate change and the environment has featured on our curriculum this past term too, in geography and across the STEM subjects. Check out the work our STEM club have been doing on sustainable use of plastics in our oceans. Our green initiatives are highlighted throughout these pages, look for the green icon. Also check out our energy balance here at the college, and how we make use of sustainable sources. There was the stunning annual College Show and this year was no exception, Beauty and The Beast felt like a very special production indeed, one of the best in recent memory. Students and staff, as always, worked together to showcase KEVICC at its very best. The acting, orchestra and choreography were all exceptional. Then there was the Birdwood exhbition , which inspired all those who went to see it. We really do have a special body of students and dedicated staff. This termwe also celebrated our validated GCSE and A Level results, with our Progress 8 positive again this year. This puts us in a great position both locally and nationally, with four years of strong progress. Our A Levels this past year were particularly strong, placing us in the top 12% of schools and above almost all other local colleges. Lastly a plea from me to take time to read about the brilliant Niall Cashman on page 15. Niall is a wonderful student who finishes his seven years with us in June. He embodies the college in so many ways and his success here with us is a sign of the value and importance of truly comprehensive education. Student editor ~ Ben Kendall The Courier A Level underwater photography Ben is our senior student editor. Ben is coming to the end of his GCSEs in Year 11. A gifted mathematician, scientist and all round lovely young man, we are very excited that Ben will be staying with us here at KEVICC for Sixth Form. Ben will take maths, further maths & physics... Another stunning Spring morning We respond to the climate emergency... With the environmental crisis all over the news, it is fantastic to see our school stepping up to the challenge of combatting our climate challenges in a number of ways that involve, and will have a positive effect on, the whole community. A number of our students have been working on creating a "Climate emergency" exhibition at the green table in early spring, which I have no doubt will show our innovative contemporary style and adaptability to the times. Our Eco team have also been working on making our college a greener place, organising both a hugely successful clothes swap and cleanup initiative in our school grounds. At the Climate and Biodiversity Action meeting held here at the college we committed to a 'zero carbon by 2030 plan' that will engage the college and the community alike. Not to mention the courier is now printed on FSC-certified paper with 100% recyclable vegetable ink locally. This last term has also seen the college host a number of long standing community traditions; the Totnes Caring Christmas meal for the elderly, an art exhibition at Birdwood gallery and our excellent Beauty and the Beast performance. We have also had excellent post 16 results, ranking in the top 20% of all schools nationally, very well attended year 11 revision sessions and trips to both Rome and Seville - all very exciting!