GEOGRAPHY & ESOLTRIP TO LUNDY ISLAND - 25th June 2009

After the previous day's trip to Barameter World it was the time for the older ESOL students to have a treat, with a day trip to Lundy Island. Mr Whaley, Mr Charlton and Miss Percy accompanied the Year 12 Geographers and ESOL students on a glorious sunny day to the beautiful North Devon Nature Reserve. They enjoyed the boat Journey across on the M.S. Oldenburg and after a wait for the wind to change direction, landed on Lundy. They visited many different sites, discussing the History, Geography and Biology of the area. All pupils really seemed to enjoy the trip and were tired out by lots of walking. Some even fell asleep as they sailed back to Bideford!

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TRIP TO BAROMETER WORLD & BEYOND! - 24th June 2009

On Tuesday the Year 10s and 11s went on a surprise trip to Barometer World at Merton. Mr Collins was so helpful and gave us a wonderful talk on the development of barometers. We learned of their importance in being able to predict the weather by tracking air pressure in advancing weather systems and thus save lives, especially for those at sea. We even saw a method of predicting the weather using medical leeches and we met a rather unusual pet! We then went to Dartington Glass Factory and were fascinated by the glass blowers. Finally, after a Hockings ice-cream (yummy) we went to the old bridge over the Torridge and skimmed stones. The Taiwanese were the clear champions!

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VISIT TO MORWHELLAM QUAY - Feb 2009

Some of the ESOL students spent a happy day at Morwhellam Quay on the Tamar river. It was a major port in Victorian times and is preserved in its historical state. We saw the copper mine, went to a Victorian School (Kingsley is better!) and dressed up. It was a really cold day, but luckily they sold hot chocolate so we were able to warm up!

Everyone dressed up in Victorian clothes.

We went 100 metres underground down the copper mine on a train, which was quite exciting. we saw the conditions that the miners had to work in, and the changes in mining technology over time.	We also met a pipistrelle bat who was still hibernating. ( He didn't meet us!) Yes this is a photo of the bat!
We saw the Assay Office where they analysed the copper ore samples to see how pure it was and how much it was worth.	Chalcopyrite.
We saw a replica of a smuggler's lugger, built by Will Sterling.	This was as original trading ketch which carried copper and stone from Dartmoor to Plymouth and beyond.
Victorian photographer!	Cool Victorians!
Water Wheel.	Stylish hats!

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CHINESE NEW YEAR - Jan 2009

After a weekend of celebrations and following a Chinese Lunch cooked by the school's Catering Department, Chinese students at Kingsley (Belvoir Campus) put on an informative and much enjoyed Assembly to teach the Senior School all about the history and traditions of Chinese New Year. They talked, sang, showed photographs and to finish gave out traditional "red pockets" they had brought from home, containing chocolate money.
Photos by: Ethan Wong

Everyone sings Dragon Legend.

Jessica introduces the song Fengyang Flower Drum.	Jeffrey tells who was born in the Year of the Ox, President Obama is included here along with Kingsley School's Mrs Roberts-Key and Miss Makepeace.
Elvan describes the qualities of people born in the Year of the Ox.	Alec tells the traditional story of Nian.
Afterwards, everyone was talking about Hubert's beautiful singing voice.	Aristo shows photos of the celebrations at the weekend: Playing Majong and eating a delicious meal.

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007 - LICENSED FOR ESOL - Nov 2008

A group of us went to see the new James Bond film, Quantum of Solace as a special mid-week treat on Wednesday. We enjoyed a good Chinese meal afterwards from the Silver Bridge, Bideford.

A Couple of Budding 007s

Here are some comments we made:

“There should have been more shooting” (!)
“Not as good as the last one, it was hard to understand the Bolivian girl’s English”
“The plot was very complicated”
“The weapons have become more normal”
“The beginning was all right, some chases were good but I didn’t like the ending because it didn’t make sense”

And on whether they prefer the new or old-style James Bond:

“I think the new one is better because it is more modern using new technology”
“I prefer the new style. I like the new graphics”
“I like the new one because the old style used more technology not skills and in the new one he can do everything by himself”
“I prefer the old style 007 because he was more of a secret agent”
“When I was younger the reason I watched James Bond was for the cars and the weapons”
“I like the old one because the old James Bond was more handsome”
“I like both- the new style with lots of action and the old one for the weapons and cars”

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ESOL STUDENTS VISIT 1646 - Sept 2008

ESOL students had a really enjoyable day in Torrington visiting an English Civil War History centre. We experienced what life was like for people in the 17th century, tried on clothes, had a horrifying demonstration of going to the doctor and lastly tried out some weapons. Students can be seen here entering into the 1646 spirit!

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