Mayville’s School of Hard Rock

Jack Black’s School of Rock had nothing on Mayville High School’s exercise in  writing song lyrics.

Picture the scene a heavy metal band made up of teachers and pupils are on a secret gig at Mayville before embarking on their world tour. The whole Junior school erupts with excitement as the fictitious band called “Broken Ankle” are about to perform. Suddenly front man Huggy Holmes, year 6 teacher Marcus Holmes is struck down with a bout of tonsillitis. Armed only with the top line, “Keep on rocking”, the juniors are given a mission to complete the song lyrics and save the day, so that Broken Ankle have a rock song to sing on their world tour.

Teaching Assistant and musician James Dyer, who came up with the idea says, “ It was a writing exercise involving the whole Junior school, and staff. Pupils had the afternoon to think about lyrics, how many syllables were needed in each line, and the challenge was to follow the guitar line.”

Deputy Head of the Junior School Daren King says, “It was great fun and also  children gained an understanding that writing isn’t just confined to the classroom.”

9 year old Tabitha John in Year 4 was in a group who came up with the line, “flying like a black crow.” She says it was both educational and fun at the same time.

Safia Mactoom who’s also 9 says, “At first I thought it was boring but when we started rocking it was great.”

All the juniors work is being studied and the best lyrics put together to make a song that will be put on disc.

With lyrics like “jumping swinging, move to the spikey beat, cutting gelling, you become a freak,” it is definitely worth waiting for.

“Priory School is delighted to be able to confirm it will move to Whippingham at Easter 2012 to occupy the school there which was founded by Queen Victoria in 1864, to the designs of Prince Albert, who wished to build a school to educate the children of those who worked on the Osborne Estate.

This move will allow Priory School to enhance significantly the education it offers, with the much greater facilities, purpose-built classrooms, playing fields in the grounds, and central accessibility this new site offers.

Priory School’s ethos of addressing the needs of each child with a combination of academic rigour (as shown by its GCSE results this year with 100% of Year 11 gaining 5 or more GCSEs at A*-C) and pastoral care matches that original concern that led to the founding of Whippingham School, where the welfare and education of the pupils is paramount.

Priory School is committed to this ethic of “the good of each child” and looks forward to continuing and contributing to the long heritage of education that has been sustained on this historic site, and of playing its full part in the life of the community in the area.  ”To contact the school please call 01983 86122 or website www.prioryschool.org.uk

BONKERS FOR CONKERS, SOUTHSEA SCHOOL EMBRACES TRADITION. A small Southsea school has brought back the tradition of playing conkers in the playground. Tired of living in a world where the seeds of the horse chestnut conjure up health and safety problems, instead of images of autumn, and childhood games, Mayville High School has taken a stand. On Monday 2nd Oct, juniors spent their break time embroiled in the biggest battle to be the best conker player in the junior school. Deputy Head of Mayville Daren King says, “When we were children autumn meant finding conkers and ways to have the best conker to win the competition, even if that meant baking it in the oven.” Head of Mayville Martin Castle says, “It’s about embracing traditions, we won’t be asking pupils to wear high visibility jackets, hard hats and goggles, but teachers will be watching them.” Alfie Macdonald who is ten years old says, “I have kept my conker in vinegar for two days before sticking it in salt and baking it in the oven.” The conker playing is part of a week long competition organised by year 6 boys. Any pupil in the juniors has the opportunity to vanquish and destroy the conker of their opponent. Welcome back autumn. For more information on the school call 023 92734847 or go to www.mayvillehighschool.com

Open Day At Priory School 15th October 10am – 1pm. Priory School is an Independent Co-educational Day School for boys and girls aged 5-18 years. It is a non-denominational school, run with a Christian ethos. The aim of Priory School is to offer a first-class education at an affordable cost in a well-structured and clearly-run environment in order to become the school of choice for parents and pupils on the Isle of Wight. Priory School’s twin pillars are academic rigour and pastoral care. It offers Scholarships & Bursaries for pupils who qualify, PE & team sports, music with its newly formed choir that won the cup at the 2011 Isle of Wight Music Festival, and drama and art. After school clubs will also be offered across a range of activities, including a highly successful Duke of Edinburgh Awards programme..www.prioryschool.org.uk

Wightliving the island’s exciting new discount website offers you the very best handpicked offers with massive savings.

How do you save money in 10 seconds? Well, here’s how: register your email address for free at www.wightliving.co.ouk. You’ll find something for everyone withWightliving from discounted places to stay to fabulous eating out, family entertainment, beauty, fitness, leisure, sports and more. You can also buy any of the voucher deals as gifts, all at bargain prices. So you get real value for money each week. And it’s not too good to be true. Everyone benefits from these discounts – you enjoy big savings while local business reap the benefits. How does it work? All you have to do is register your email address for free. We then keep you regularly updated with new offers. But be quick to grab a deal. Our offers have limited availability, so you must act fast to take advantage of our great discounted deals.  Just decide on how many vouchers you want to buy then it’s a click away to purchase. It couldn’t be easier. We also help take you through every step of the way. So why not treat yourself to a bargain and sign up to Wightliving, the island’s premier discount website. Remember to spread the savings by spreading the word too, even if it’s a tweet or just a natter.

BONKERS FOR CONKERS, SOUTHSEA SCHOOL EMBRACES TRADITION.

A small Southsea school has brought back the tradition of playing conkers in the playground. Tired of living in a world where the seeds of the horse chestnut conjure up health and safety problems, instead of images of autumn, and childhood games, Mayville High School has taken a stand. On Monday 2nd Oct, juniors spent their break time embroiled in the biggest battle to be the best conker player in the junior school. Deputy Head of Mayville Daren King says, “When we were children autumn meant finding conkers and ways to have the best conker to win the competition, even if that meant baking it in the oven.” Head of Mayville Martin Castle says, “It’s about embracing traditions, we won’t be asking pupils to wear high visibility jackets, hard hats and goggles, but teachers will be watching them.” Alfie Macdonald who is ten years old says, “I have kept my conker in vinegar for two days before sticking it in salt and baking it in the oven.” The conker playing is part of a week long competition organised by year 6 boys. Any pupil in the juniors has the opportunity to vanquish and destroy the conker of their opponent. Welcome back autumn. To find out more about the school go towww.mayvillehighschool.com

Open Day At Priory School 15th October 10am – 1pm. Priory School is an Independent Co-educational Day School for boys and girls aged 5-18 years. It is a non-denominational school, run with a Christian ethos. The aim of Priory School is to offer a first-class education at an affordable cost in a well-structured and clearly-run environment in order to become the school of choice for parents and pupils on the Isle of Wight. http://www.prioryschool.org.uk

Mr Graham Best, Headmaster of St John’s College, Southsea, is inviting parents to the first of the Schools Open Morning Events on Saturday 8 October, 10am – 12.30pm.  This whole-school event provides an excellent opportunity for those considering independent education to see what St John’s has to offer.

Situated in the heart of Southsea and just a short walk from the Hover Craft, St John’s College is an all age, Christian co-educational day and boarding school for children with a wide range of abilities.  As a relatively small school every pupil is involved, appropriately challenged and closely supported.

The Open Morning will begin at 10am with a presentation from the Headmaster, followed by pupil tours around the campus.  There will be a variety of hands-on activities, demonstrations and workshops for all the family.  Teaching staff will be present to answer any questions you may have about the curriculum or the many extra-curricular activities offered.

The whole school will be open, so whether you are looking for a Nursery, an Infant and Junior School, a Senior School or a Sixth Form the Open Morning will be the ideal opportunity to explore and experience St John’s.  You will also receive a copy of the new school prospectus.

To book a place, or for further information, contact the School Office on 023 9281 5118.

OPEN MORNING

Observing a busy, active and engaged class of children can tell you far more about a school than simply browsing a website or reading a prospectus, which is why Hordle Walhampton School in Lymington encourages parents to come along to their Open Morning (Monday 3^rd October) to see for themselves pupils at work and at play.

Guided by senior pupils, who are encouraged to describe their experiences of life at Hordle Walhampton, visitors view a wide variety of lessons, sports and activities as well as visiting the boarding house, the large, purpose-built sports hall, the performing arts centre and the riding stables.

Hordle Walhampton is proud of its strong association with Island families. Many of our pupils travel across daily, we escort the Lymington/Yarmouth ferry, whilst others make good use of our highly flexible boarding arrangements.

Hordle Walhampton has an outstanding record of achievement in Scholarships and Common Entrance examinations, plus strong associations with many of the well-established and popular senior schools. Further details of the Open Morning are available from Mrs Suzanne Wright on 01590 672013 or by e-mailing: registrar@hordlewalhampton.co.uk