Oathall success at South of England show

From left to right: Jordan Hards, James Guy, Rhys Chester (in green), Aaron Head (all Oathall Year 10 students), Luke Timms, Cameron Terry, Angel Knott, Liam Rollings. (All Woodlands Meed Year 11) Back row: Mr John Blackholly and Ms Chris Candy from Woodlands Meed.

Oathall’s students were celebrating after being awarded first place for their garden design entry at the South of England show in June. First place was well deserved with our students competing against garden design students from Brinsbury and Plumpton Colleges. Well done to James Guy, Jordan Hards, Rhys Chester and Aaron Head who gave up much of their own time in support of the project and learnt much throughout the process.

It wasn’t just about garden design. As is our usual tradition Oathall students participated fully in the show helping out in the parade and showing our pigs and cattle. Harry Woodington was successful in showing our large white adult breeding sow. She came first in the large white class, a testament to all the early starts and hard work that Harry put in to prepare her for the show. Jacob Wall also did well, coming second in his cattle handling class.

Mr John Blackholly said,

“Well done to everyone associated with Oathall Farm It was a massive team effort from all concerned and we are justifiably proud of all our achievements. Thank you to all the students but in particular to all the staff, parents and former Oathall students who gave up their time to support our efforts.”

Power of Music Festival

On 19 June, the Oathall Community College Orchestra and Jazz Ensemble performed at the Power of Music festival at the Orchards Shopping Centre in Haywards Heath. They performed a wide selection of music that culminated in a grand finale where they accompanied the choirs of three local primary schools for a very appreciative audience.

The Oathall jazz band performing Stevie Wonder’s Sir Duke with students Tomas Henshaw, Seren Billson, Felix Carter in the foreground. Andrew Galt, Hana Konig, Eleanor Grey, Nathanael Van Den Dolder and Isaac Clarke (just behind Seren) in the background.

Introducing our new senior prefect team

From left to right; Mr Rodriguez with Andrew Smith (Deputy), Kaytlin Smith (Deputy) Max Whelan (Head Boy), Eleanor Grey (Head Girl) Matthew Linbourne (Deputy) & Issy Peacock (Deputy).

Following a rigorous selection process which involved staff and student votes, application letters and interviews with Mr Rodriguez and Ms Gyngell we have chosen our new senior prefects.

We are pleased to announce that Eleanor Grey and Max Whelan have been chosen to be Head Girl and Head Boy. Matthew Linbourne, Issy Peacock, Andrew Smith and Kaitlin Smith have also been selected to be Deputies.

We have also completed the selection process for House Captains for the next academic year. Students were selected following a process of staff and students votes and interviews with the Head of House and Assistant Head of House. This process means that the 2017 -2018 is now complete. We wish everyone luck in their new roles.

Back row L to R Kaytlin Smith Deputy Head Girl, Andrew Smith Deputy Head Boy, Eleanor Grey Head Girl, Max Whelan, Head Boy, Issy Peacock Deputy Head Girl. Matthew Linbourne Deputy Head Boy with Mr Rodriguez. Front Row L to R House Captains. Discovery Jacob Guest & Millie Herbert, Voyager Laurie Perren & Flo Gaskell, Endeavour Jamie Christie & Darcy Gee, Pioneer Owen Young & Abi Hateley.

 

Bake Off – Celebrating 50 years of the South of England Agricultural Society!

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The theme for the annual Bake Off competition at Oathall is the South of England Agricultural Society. This year they are celebrating 50 years of showcasing agriculture, horticulture and the countryside.

This year eight finalists were selected from entries by students from Oathall and Warden Park. Competitors were given 4 hours to bake and decorate their cake creations before they were judged by John de Longa, President of the Haywards Heath Rotary club and his colleagues Nigel Voakes and Vic O’Farrell along with Anne Bradshaw and Sue Perkins from Franklands Village Women’s Institute and Oathall’s Catering Manager, Sue Denyer.

The cake decoration reflected themes of farming & the countryside as well as the South of England Show. The standard of baking & taste from all the candidates was extremely high and deciding on a winner was a difficult decision for the judges. In the end, they awarded first prize to Janu Ramkissun, second prize went to Seren Billson and third prize went to Emily Brock. All the competitors received an embroidered apron and recipe book for taking part with gift vouchers for the top three places.

The cakes made by the students will go on display at the Ardingly Showground, in the Norfolk Pavilion at the weekend.

The Finalists were:

Seren Billson – Oathall
Emily Brock – Oathall
Nina Kashdan – Oathall
Max Lewry – Oathall
Alexandra Negru – Oathall
Janu Ramkissun – Warden Park
Phoebe Skinner – Warden Park
Anna Southon – Oathall

Oathall’s Tenner Challenge -Ten Pounds, Four weeks, One goal!

Oathall students have participated for the first time in the Young Enterprise national “Tenner Challenge”. The Tenner Challenge has provided an opportunity for students to set up a business for one month. Over 40 year 7-9 students participated selling a wide range of goods (see below). Each company was pledged £10 which enabled them to set up their business. They had four weeks to make as much profit as they could. Their products were showcased at lunchtimes in our school sports hall and at the Orchards shopping centre in Haywards Heath on Saturday 11 March.

At the end of the four weeks, the companies returned their initial £10 and paid £1 as a legacy donation to Young Enterprise to support next year’s event. We are pleased to report that every company made a profit. The participants are free to keep any hard earned profits but special mention should go to Modern Upcycles who have donated their profits of over £400 to Chestnut Tree House, Professional Handmade Cards who have donated £156.50 to Cancer Research, Colour Collison who have donated £100 to Woodlands Meed School and Kawaii who have donated £25 to Macmillan Cancer Research. Well done to all involved.

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Colour Collison  – Salt dough shapes and letters (Abigail Cooper,Kitty Underhill,Luke Derrick, Felicity Moore, Molly Atkinson)

Doodle Notes – Decorated notebooks and handmade bookmarks (Amy Vaughan, Katie Reed, Ella Middle)

Heart Decker – Clothing and accessories (Daisy Southerton, Keira Harris)

Kawaii – Mother’s day cards, bookmarks and knitted purses (Nicole Crockford, Rose Worsley, Olivia Morley, Ciara Ryan, Jessica Kettle)

Melodies – Plectrums (Jude Silk, Will Hagger, Henry Forrest, Sebastian Williamson)

Modern Upcycles – Upcycled a range of products ( Molly Hord, Zoe Downey, Martha Sansom)

OCC – Handmade lino cut cards ( Jessica Ruddock, Leane Roy, Hannah Hill)

OCCS – Staff car washing services (Harry Russell, Felix Carter, James Simpson)

Professional Handmade Cards – Greetings cards  (Jessica Sams, Zoe Nelson, Seren Billson)

Pure – Handmade cards, candles and jewellry (Kira Ashworth, Jamie Figurera)

The Crafters –  Stress balls ( Fionnuala Lingard, Katie Rimmer, Fatou Colley, Amy Taylor)

Revive – wooden hearts (Scarlett James, Thandi Sibandi, Holly Hughes)

Rock Challenge 2017

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On the 6th of February, 56 enthusiastic Oathall students took part in Rock Challenge at the Hawth Theatre in Crawley, where we competed against several other schools and colleges.

This year our dance was called ‘The Forest Is Our Home’ and was an environmental piece about deforestation. Our performance took the audience on a journey through the beautiful and captivating rainforest where indigenous people live in harmony with the forest until logging tradesmen threaten to destroy their homes for profit. The performance describes how the indigenous people fight against the logging industry to rebuild and regrow.

Our students have worked hard since last October to put together this 8-minute dance performance. The sound and light team supported the performers with the set, videoing the performance and creating effective and atmospheric lighting designs. They were able to learn from the professionals managing the desks. Throughout the day itself everyone had a fantastic experience and by the end of the evening, we had won awards for performance, entertainment and lighting.

Rotary Club supports farm improvements with £2000 donation

On Monday 9 January, Oathall students along with Headteacher, Mr Edward Rodriguez and Chair of Governors, Mrs Rowena Chalk were delighted to be presented with a cheque for £2000 from the Rotary Club of Cuckfield and Lindfield.

Over 50 students who attend the Oathall Young Farmers’ Club turned up to receive the cheque from Rotary Club president, Mr Jaime Wallden and vice-president, Mrs Karen Looker.  Also present from the rotary club were Mr Chris Jupp, chairman of youth activities and past president, Mr John Davey. The Rotary Club are long-standing supporters of the school and the farm.

Speaking at the presentation, Mr John Davey said to the students,

The farm at Oathall is a very special resource and as students at this school you are given an exceptional opportunity to get involved with the farm and its activities. You will find that when you leave Oathall this gives you a unique experience which you can use in your future studies and careers.

Head of farm Mr John Blackholly, said

We are so grateful to the Rotary Club for this donation. The money will be used to improve the natural environment for our animals with better outdoor housing and fencing. Every year, we have visits from a wide range of community groups, this donation will also be used to improve the accessibility and environment for our visitors and so benefit the wider community.

2016 – 2017 Senior prefect team announced

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From left to right: Shaan Jayan, Naomi Johnson, Gemma Batchelor, Elliot Day, Anna Worsley, George Brooks and Headteacher Mr Rodriguez.

We are delighted to announce our senior prefect team for the 2016 -2017 academic year.

  • Head Girl – Gemma Batchelor
  • Head Boy – Elliot Day
  • Deputy Head Girl – Naomi Johnson
  • Deputy Head Girl – Anna Worsley
  • Deputy Head Boy – George Brooks
  • Deputy Head Boy – Shaan Jayan

The selection process involved a vote by fellow students and staff followed by an interview selection process with Headteacher Mr Rodriguez and Miss Gyngell.

175th Anniversary of Haywards Heath station

Last term students from Oathall were invited to contribute to a poetry anthology in recognition of the 175th anniversary of Haywards Heath Station. The English faculty was inundated with fantastic entries and had difficulty selecting the top thirty poems. However, we did, and we are delighted that they have been published in such a beautiful book. We are grateful to everyone who contributed towards the writing and publishing of the poems.

Students whose poems have been published will receive a copy of the anthology via assemblies.

More information about the activities celebrating the railway coming to Haywards Heath can be found here. 

https://issuu.com/familygrapevine/docs/poetrybookfinished

Oathall students celebrate excellent examination results

Students at Oathall have proved that hard work leads to impressive results. This year’s results were excellent, building on the successes of previous years and Oathall students can be proud of their achievements.

Mr Edward Rodriguez, Headteacher praised the results achieved by students and said,

“Our students should be proud of the results they have achieved today. Their successes are a testament to their hard work, ability and motivation. I am pleased and delighted to see that their efforts have been rewarded. I would like to wish them every success in their next stage of learning.”

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