KEPIER LEARNERS RECEIVE 'CAN DO' FUNDING

Kepier learners have planned a residential visit to Liverpool with the support of 'Can Do' Funding.

Whilst in Liverpool, they will be following the 'Willy Russell Trail' to increase their awareness in English Literature. They will view Gormley's sculptures at Crosby Beach and also squeeze in visits to Art Galleries and Museums. The learners involved are working hard to raise levels of attainment and make accelerated progress as they approach their GCSEs this summer, and are absolutely thrilled to receive funding to be able to support learning and making progress.

Councillor Anne Lawson and Councillor Kevin Johnston were delighted to visit Kepier to support the project and present funding to the learners from the Coalfield 'Can Do' Fund towards their trip to Liverpool. They said "we hope they all have a fantastic time! It’s great we are able to provide funding from the Area Committee that will support and engage with the learners in their learning progress. We were also impressed with the brilliant artwork on show, which is another project they have been working on”

Pictured are Councillors Lawson and Johnston, together with some of the learners involved in the project.

KEPIER LEARNERS VISIT NEWCASTLE UNIVERSITY

A group of of our Year 11 learners visited Newcastle University to take part in ‘Inspired Choices’, an on-campus event for the learners to see how their GCSE and A level qualifications can shape their future plans and relate to a variety of different degree disciplines at University.

The main focus was on developing key skills such as:

• Decision making skills

• Research skills

• Subject specific knowledge

The learners had the opportunity to attend a series of interactive subject tasters to experience what it is like to study these subjects at University. They covered Engineering, Forensic Psychology and Law. The sessions were interactive and really made the learners think about some of the directions they could go in their future.

Many thanks to our Guidance Officer Miss Watson for organising this event!!!

CELEBRATING OUR TALENTED ARTISTS

Urban Art

Sister Act

In the last week of our summer term, our fabulous learners put on their summer show, 'Sister Act'.

In front of an audience of around 200 people on each of three nights, a cast and crew of well over 100 of our talented young people put on an amazing performance, with everyone who was there having a fantastic time.

An awful lot of hard work goes into the show, not just from the learners but from the staff involved both directly and indirectly, with a special thanks going to Mr. Forsyth, Mr. Hall. Mrs. Jiggins and Mrs. Gill.

Once again, many thanks to all the companies who supported us with donations for our raffles on the three nights:

Karting North East, Warden Law Motorsport Centre, W2W, Sunderland SR3 2PR. Tel: 0191 5214050

Hallgarth Manor, High Pittington, Durham DH6 1AB. Tel: 0191 372 1188

Tweddle Farm, Filipoke Lane, Blackhall Colliery, Hartlepool TS27 4BT. Tel: 0191 586 3311

Hall Hill Farm, Hall Hill Farm, Lanchester, Durham DH7 0TA. Tel: 01388 731333

ynemouth Blue Reef Aquarium, Grand Parade, Tynemouth, North Shields NE30 4JF. Tel: 0191 258 1031

MBC Arts and Wellbeing, 31 Norfolk Street, Sunderland SR1 1EE. E: mark@mbcceramics.com

Middlesbrough Football Club, The Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough TS3 6RS. Tel: 01642 757640

The Apple Orchard, 50 Newbottle St, Houghton le Spring DH4 4AF. Tel: 0191 584 9288

Apple Blossom, 6 Mautland St, Houghton le Spring DH4 4BH. Tel: 0191 584 2066

Audi Wearside, Newcastle Road, Sunderland SR5 1JQ. Tel: 0191 5637259

We hope you enjoy the selection of photos from the show! Well done to everyone who was involved.

DANIEL RECOUNTS HIS TALL SHIPS EXPERIENCE

Daniel was one of 4 learners from Kepier lucky enough to be given places on the recent 'Tall Ships' event here in Sunderland.
Here, he tells us about his time taking part and shares some wonderful photos with us; we hope you enjoy it as much as we did!!!
"From the first day that I had signed up for this experience, everyone told me it would be amazing and I agreed but never expected it to be as amazing as it actually was. I saw some beautiful spectacles whilst at sea and tried new things I couldn’t have comprehended doing before ; climbing the mast and jumping into the North Sea (which might as well have had ice cubes floating in it it was so cold!).
"Every single person I met was very friendly and our crew was tightly knit, so when we had to perform a difficult manoeuvre, it paid off eventually making us finish in second place. Esbjerg was also a very nice town and being able to help pilot the ship into port was another highlight."
The entire Sørlandet crew then marched in the parade, and celebrated like mad at the crew party in the evening which unfortunately I can’t provide pictures for. Finally I jumped onto a plane back to Newcastle leaving behind a view and an experience I will never forget. I am so grateful for the school choosing me and 3 others to have this opportunity."

RUTH'S FANTASTIC SPORTING ACHIEVEMENTS!!!

Ruth from Year 10 has made some fantastic strides in her ambition to compete to the highest level possible at Modern Pentathlon.

The Pentathlon consists of five events; fencing, swimming, show jumping, and a final combined event of pistol shooting and cross-country running (now known as a laser run). To improve her show jumping, she recently spent time at Gurteen College in County Tipperary, Ireland under the tutelage of Tony Ennis, Training Chairman of The Irish Pony Club. Ruth spent each morning and afternoon being tutored in her riding skills, and in the art of stable management. This came about following an offer from The Irish Pony Club to allow two UK Pony Club Centre members, who do not own their own ponies, to travel across, and Ruth successfully applied to be one of those chosen.

As well as this and to improve her overall skills, Ruth regularly takes part in Pony Club Triathlons, and has recently undertaken training with Pentathlon GB at Bishop Burton College.

Following the Pentathlon GB Laser Run competition in Durham, Ruth has qualified as first reserve for the Pentathlon GB Laser Run School Games Final at Loughborough University at the end of August.

Ruth's mum Jo said "she is very committed and determined, and I think the fact that she is willing to put herself through all this training and give up so much of her time for this, and competitions, is a great achievement."

Everyone here at Kepier would agree! It takes an awful lot of commitment and dedication to do what Ruth is doing, and everyone here is incredibly proud of her!!!