Year Eleven

The term has rushed by in a blur of coursework, trial exams and planning for the future. A huge number of the year group have applied to continue their studies in the Sixth Form. Those who are moving elsewhere are being helped through the process by Mr Hammett and the Connexions team.

Fred Cotterill in Year 11 is the Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) for B&NES. On an historic day for young people in the UK, he was one of 300 MYPs who travelled to London to debate issues in the House of Commons. Fred says, “This was a step forward in getting under-18s represented and the problems they care about brought to prominence. Sadly, we don't yet have the right to vote, which often leads to politicians ignoring us for the sake of gathering support elsewhere.”

Fred squeezed onto the green benches directly behind Gordon Brown’s dispatch box. The speaker of the House, John Bercow, commented that the Youth Parliament was much more representative of modern Britain than Parliament, with an equal gender split and many ethnic groups and disabilities.

Fred eventually caught the Speaker’s eye in the afternoon session and spoke about "capitalism, the economy and jobs for young people". Other topics included tuition fees, youth crime, free transport, and lowering the voting age. Fred sums up, “UKYP might not be the most powerful institution in Britain, but with the enthusiasm, passion and eloquence shown by young people in the chamber today, I think we'll have no problem making our voices heard in the future!”

Meanwhile, Bethan Stone in Year 11 has been awarded the prestigious Princess Diana Memorial Award for her long-standing efforts for the school community. Bethan is immensely kind and affectionate and always enthusiastic.  She has thrown herself into the life of the school.  Her attendance record is 100% and this has been typical of her reliability throughout her time at school.  She is going to do a full range of GCSEs in the summer and is expected to leave with a hat full of qualifications.

Bethan has a diagnosis of Asperger’s Syndrome and has worked very hard to improve her social interaction and communication. A particular example of this is the work she has done with the School Council, which she has worked on since it was formed in 2006. The School Council allows students to self-elect onto any team and also set up their own teams. In Year 8, Bethan saw that the Buildings Team offered her the opportunity to make a difference to her whole School Community. Through regular attendance at weekly meetings, she has had an impact on her school surroundings. The Buildings Team has refurbished the library with a sofa and two bean bags. They have decorated the School Council office and are currently working on designs for the PE changing rooms. Bethan’s ideas and contributions to the team have proven invaluable. She has shown an absolute determination to change her school surroundings in a positive way. Her other team members have benefited from her membership and she has taught them a huge amount. She is a real asset not only to the team but to the whole school!

Mr Mallett said, “Bethan is one of those people who brings joy to the community which receives her.  She is an extremely fitting recipient of the Princess Diana Award.” Bethan will be awarded with a certificate and silver lapel pin at a ceremony in the New Year.

Mr Blower has been working hard to continue with the strong debating tradition at Chew Valley. He took some Year 11 students for a competition in Bristol, and reports, “On Monday 16th November, Fred Cotterill, Jake Hepburn and Tom Vipond took part in the English Speaking Union Public Speaking Competition at Colston's School. Dressed to impress in carefully coordinated waistcoats and ties, and coming up against teams from Colston's, Red Maids and Marlwood, the boys acquitted themselves admirably, each fulfilling their roles in a composed and quietly confident manner.

Fred (the Speaker) prepared and delivered a highly articulate and sophisticated argument against the motion that 'The Cult of Celebrity is beneficial to society', engaging the judges and audience with his convincing rhetoric. It would be fair to say that his speech raised the intellectual bar for the evening, a standard that (in our humble opinion!) was not surpassed by the other speakers. Tom was a dignified and competent Chairman, conducting the proceedings in a calm and purposeful fashion, and Jake was direct and incisive in his role as Questioner, probing the Marlwood speaker, and allowing him to develop his argument fully.

Unfortunately, our observations were not altogether matched by the judges who praised the overall standard of competition, but opted to put Colston's and Red Maids through to Round 2. I am confident that the boys have the substance and determination to succeed at future events, and that with fine-tuning of style, they will have their talents recognised. They certainly seemed to enjoy the experience and were a credit to the school, and the fashion industry!!”

Mr Brown hopes that the Christmas holidays bring a much-needed break for Year 11 and that they arrive refreshed for the challenges of the New Year.