Suddenly, it’s Christmas and hard working Year 10 have taken their first Science GCSE module as well as starting countless coursework pieces within their options. Work Experience placements are starting to be confirmed – well done to those of you who have completed Mr Hammett’s legendary ‘pink slips’ and to those of you who still need to find placements, ‘Get Cracking!’

On the extra curricular front, students’ wide ranging talents have been earning plaudits. Penny Creed and Terri Bucknell both made it through to the regional final of ‘The Quality Standard Beef and Lamb Young Chef Challenge 2009’. Only seven students from 132 schools made it to the West Country heat held at Filton College on December 2^nd so this was a fantastic achievement. Terri’s dish was a delicious variation of a spicy pasty (great pastry, Terri!) whilst Penny’s ‘spicy beef and red pepper stack’ earned her a very deserved 3^rd place. Certificates were awarded by top chef James Martin (Miss Hellier insisted on several photos) which was clearly a great inspiration to our future Masterchefs. ‘It was amazing to come third, I realised I could cook to a very achievable standard. It was really exciting to meet James Martin and really enjoyed the day with all the excitement and nerves that came with it.’

Katie Cook’s recent brush with stardom is just as impressive. Katie won first prize in a photography competition called ‘Youth Class Phone View’ which was part of ‘Take A View, Landscape Photographer of the Year 2009’. Encouraged by her dad, Katie’s winning artistic mobile phone photo of a beautiful frosty tree on the Mendips won her a workshop with famous photographer Charlie Waite and an interview on Radio Bristol. Well done, Katie!

Thanks to all the Year 10s who took part in the Autumn Concert recently. Rushing back from a Hockey Match, some of the girls were then on stage within the hour. Well done: Cat Shaw, Alex Grace, Melissa Wembridge, Niamh Millers, Nick Matthews, Luke Joyner, Jess Webb, Liam Rogers, Lauren Holland, Immie Letts, Steph Baines and Oli Vipond who demonstrated their musical talents wonderfully well. A special ‘Performing Arts’ mention goes to Lauren Holland who sang her solo beautifully and has been helping to run a Lower School Drama club this year.

Lastly thanks to those Year 10 students who helped raise £137.00 by selling poppies, baking and selling tasty cakes recently to raise money for the poppy appeal.

Sports News – Sports Reporters – Mr Edwards and Ms Daly

After a successful start to the rugby season where commitment and training intensity was high, player numbers have started to decline and results have not gone in Chew’s favour.  Most recently we played against St Gregs in the Semi-Final of the BANES Cup.  This game proved a step too far for the much improved year 10 team.  Even after a half-time roasting from Mr Edwards the team was unable to get on the scoreboard.  Ben Melhuish was outstanding in the back row, making no fewer than 18 tackles and Dan Gordon battled hard to make ground in midfield.  There is hope however as the boy’s play Broadoak in the quarter final of the Somerset Cup early in January.  Go easy on the Christmas pudding lads!!

After crashing out of the English Schools Cup to a strong Broadlands outfit, the year 10 footballers continue to make progress in the County Cup.  In their last outing, the boy’s beat Priory (Weston) 3 – 1.  In what was a fiery encounter, the referee commended the Chew players on the way in which they conducted themselves on and off the field.

Ollie Vipond and Nick Matthews represented the school in the BANES District badminton championship.  Tuesday morning training has been going well with more than twenty pupils attending on a regular basis.  Mr Monk selected a strong team and it showed on the day with the team winning the overall tournament to become BANES district champions.  The team now move on to the south west tournament in the New Year.  Well done lads!

Year 10 Girls

Chew Valley were away to Norton Hill on 25^th Nov where we played extremely well as a team, producing some quality hockey.  Clearly all our determination and hard work during training sessions had paid off. We beat Norton Hill 4-1 and players of the match were Melissa Wembridge and Jasmine Williams.

This gave us a great boost of confidence in preparation for the tournament at Wellsway. Here we had to play three schools in our pool – Wellsway, Ralph Allen and Oldfield. All were tough opposition, we fought hard not allowing any of the teams to get around us easily.  Overall, we came 4^th and our player of the tournament was Cat Shaw.