Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Website Launched

  Thu 24 May 2018
  Welcome to our brand new school website! We have created the website to keep parents up to date with school news and notices, and to showcase some of the great things our pupils are achieving. The website is extremely easy to edit by all staff at the school, so check back soon for new updates!

• North Devon Athletics

  Tue 22 May 2018

  HCC Attend North Devon Athletics

  On the 16th of May Holsworthy Community College attended the North Devon athletics competition, in Braunton.

  It was quite a wet day, but all 45 students that went took part in a number of different events including track and field events.

  Everyone did very well in their events and tried their hardest.

  The highlights of the day were Issy Edworthy coming 2nd in both of her finals in 100m and 200m.

  Toby Martyn also came 2nd in his 3000m.

  Louise Shepherd came 2nd in her 300m finals.

  Aaron Johnson came 2nd in his shot putt.

  Eloise Polhill came 2nd in her 300m finals, and finally Amelia Disney came 2nd in the 200m.

  So, overall it was a successful day. Well done to everyone who competed!

  By Will Skinner and Sophie Powell

  

• North Devon Hospice Receive Charitable Donation

  Sun 13 May 2018
  On Wednesday 25th April we were very pleased to welcome Jess Burford from North Devon Hospice who came into school to collect a cheque for £233.60.

   

  This money was raised during the Year 8 Charity Day last term by lots of varied stalls and novel ideas for raising as much money as possible.

   

  Well done, Year 8!

  

• Year 8 Charity Day

  Sun 13 May 2018

  On Friday 23rd March Year 8 students from Holsworthy Community College held their annual Charity Day; this year raising money for the North Devon Hospice.

   

  Working in groups in their Life Skills lessons over several weeks they planned different events to raise as much money as possible. They made posters to advertise their events and sourced what they needed in the way of provisions.

   

  At break and lunchtimes, they set up their stalls and prepared to attract their customers. Stalls included: hook a duck, raffle, guess the number of sweets in a jar, splat the rat, stocks, coconut shy, milkshakes, nail painting, cake stalls, doughnut hanging as well as sporting events.

   

  “For the Year 8 Charity Day we did a cake sale and raised over £50.00. This is around a fifth of what the school raised overall, which was £258.50, which was amazing! Grace Harman, Skye Bundey and Vicky Down provided the school with loads of yummy treats that they baked, such as cakes and biscuits. Molly Ross, Chloe Brown and Reanna Lucas also provided different, fun games to play. We also had a Victoria sponge, which was a raffle prize, won by Freya Laming and the “Guess how many cookies are in the cookie-jar”, which was won by Jess Hart. Overall we were pleased to raise money for the North Devon Hospice.”

  Grace Harman

   

  The Year 8 Charity Day coincided with this year’s Sport Relief, so the PE department also organised a ‘run a mile’ event, which took place over break and mentor time. Students and staff had to run/walk 8 laps of the MUGA, which equates to 1 mile. Prizes of Easter Eggs were given to the fastest competitors. At 50p per entrant they did well to raise £92.84!

   

  As they say, a great day was had by all!

  

• Year 10 Aspire to Excellence

  Sun 13 May 2018
  On Friday 23rd February, we were offered the opportunity to take thirty of our Year 10 academically gifted and talented students to Exeter College, for the day, to learn more about their Reach Academy, the International Baccalaureate and to experience some A-Level taster sessions from either Maths and Science or English, Languages and IB or Humanities pathway.

  We also had tour of the college and talks by students currently studying there.

  Angela Stubbington, the Exeter College organiser, said the pupils were a credit to us.

  Thanks to Miss Trainor-Roulstone and Mrs Lovegrove for helping to organise a fabulous day.

  Mrs Storry

   

  “I chose to do Humanities, where we looked at sociology and psychology. I found it interesting to see what these courses entailed as it was not something I had considered studying previously. We looked at the reasons behind people’s actions and the effect on their wellbeing. It was helpful to have an insight into the college life and a tour of the whole campus. I am considering going to Exeter College, but I think I will probably do A-levels.”

  Will Skinner

   

  “I also chose to do Humanities. The subject of mental health was covered briefly, but it was a good insight. I chose this because I like this area of study. The information about the Reach Academy and the facilities at the college was great and very informative. Now that I have visited, I may consider this as an option post 16.”

  Louise Shepherd

   

  “I chose to do Maths and Science. One area that we looked at was Forensic Science. We had to measure maggots to determine how long ago someone had died. On a graph you can measure their growth to determine how long they had been on a dead body. The longer they were, the longer they had been there—helping to determine time of death. I found this really interesting—something I had never done before! I had not considered studying this before, but having now looked into it, I may consider it in the future!”

  Ben Hampton

   

  

• Burton Art Gallery Award

  Sun 13 May 2018
  I was filled with pride for our students and Art teachers this week as I attended the award ceremony for winners of awards from the Burton Art Gallery Schools’ Exhibition.

   

  The Art Department received an award for outstanding contribution, which is quite an achievement for such a small school. Three of our students also received individual awards for their pieces of work: Katie Jayne Lambe, Ellie King and Beth Gifford.

   

  It was lovely to see parents of the three girls attending the event and sharing in their child’s success. The artwork in the Gallery is wide ranging in style and subject content. It showcases work of many different medias and scales.

   

  Don’t forget the exhibition is on during the whole of month of February, so still time to visit if you haven’t had a chance yet.

   

  The Burton Art Gallery is an amazing space which showcases some quite famous visiting art work, all under a pretty little roof in Bideford. It has a super gift shop full of arty gifts, art materials and books and it has a lovely cafe too. You can keep up to date with exhibits and events by ‘liking’ their page on Facebook.

   

  Mrs Bloxham

  

• Listening Bus Visits HCC

  Sun 13 May 2018

  We were fortunate to be chosen to have a visit from the National Deaf Children’s Society Roadshow (or Listening Bus, as it is known) on Wednesday 7th February. They were based on the school site all day and ran a range of workshops for deaf/hearing impaired secondary and primary school students in the area.

   

  The workshops included:

   

  Who am I?

   

  A workshop designed to improve self-esteem so the students feel comfortable with their deafness and confident about being independent in a hearing world (secondary students).

   

  My Future

   

  A workshop aimed at raising the students’ knowledge of their rights for support in education, training and employment, and preparing them for the challenges ahead (secondary students).

   

  Emotional Health and Well Being

   

  A workshop designed to promote positive mental health and good emotional wellbeing for deaf children (primary students).

   

  Both secondary and primary students were involved in technology sessions, giving them the opportunity to try out new technologies, such as vibrating alarm clocks, flashing doorbells and Bluetooth devices. This session also aimed to increase their understanding of their T program and how it can help them when using mobile phones and accessing sounds such as music and TV.

   

  Parents were also invited along to try out these technologies at the end of the day.

   

  “On Wednesday Luke and I, along with two pupils from Okehampton College visited the Listening Bus, which is a bus for deaf people.

   

  On the bus we met some friendly adults who work for NDCS.

   

  On the bus we talked about the benefits and downsides of being deaf. After that we looked at lots of technology for deaf children e.g. alarm clocks and head phones. Then we looked at options for our future when we left school: university, apprenticeships or employment. We learnt that one of the adults was a footballer for England deaf team.

   

  It was interesting to learn all of this.”

   

  Ryan Bewes

   

  Photo courtesy of Dawn Bewes

  

• Girls U15 Rugby Tournament

  Sun 13 May 2018

  On Friday 26th January we attended our first rugby tournament at Bideford College, but we didn't realise until we got there that it was a tournament with 6 teams entered. Like a lot of our team members, many of the other players hadn't played before.

   

  Sophie won the toss (which consisted of rock, paper, scissors) so we could decide whether to kick off or receive.

   

  Unfortunately, we lost the first game against Chulmleigh 3—1, but Issy scored a fantastic try on the wing and Maddie was awarded Player of the Match.

   

  The second game was against Park, who played a combination of two teams. Again, we lost this match 4—0 with Paige winning Player of the Match.

   

  The third game was against South Molton A team and we managed to win this one 2—1, with Hester scoring her first try and South Molton having a try disallowed. Issy was Player of the Match.

   

  The fourth game was against South Molton B team and we won this one 5—0. There was some brilliant play from the team with Kerri and Lucy’s tackling, Louise’s kicking and Issy’s running! Player of the Match was Kerri.

   

  The fifth game against Bideford, was the hardest as they had the most experience, but we won 2—1, with Lucy as Player of the Match.

   

  We drew third in the table, which meant we made it through to the county finals at Topsham in March!

  It was a brilliant day for girls’ rugby and for all involved from HCC.

   

  Many thanks to Miss Goldsworthy for entering us, taking us and helping on the day. Also thank you to Jude Daniel for giving up her time to do the coaching.

   

  Louise Daniel (Captain)

  

• HCC takes part in UK Engineering Challenge

  Sun 13 May 2018

  Students from Holsworthy Community College took part in an IET Faraday Challenge Day (FCD) sponsored by Thorpe Park. The students became real-life engineers for the day when they researched, designed and built solutions to real engineering problems as part of the Institution of Engineering and Technology’s (IET) Faraday Challenge Day on Wednesday 17th January.

   

  169 events are taking place across the UK to host 2017-18 IET Faraday Challenge Days. Up to six teams of local school students will compete at each event to find the best solution to an engineering-related challenge. The events will be free of charge and set up by IET staff and volunteers.

   

  This year’s challenge is in association with Thorpe Park Resort, but the brief for these young engineers is shrouded in secrecy to avoid unfair preparation and research. Teams must race against the clock to solve a real-life engineering problem, putting their engineering and technology knowledge and skills to the test.

   

  Holly Margerison-Smith, IET Faraday Education Manager, said: “Students who take part in the Faraday Challenge Days this year will experience working as an engineer through hands-on and practical engagement with real-life challenges relating to Thorpe Park Resort. The Challenge Days will give them an insight into the life of a real engineer, the variety a career in engineering can offer and just how exciting and creative engineering is.

   

  “There is huge demand for new engineers and technicians and we’re confident that this will challenge young peoples’ perceptions of engineers and inspire the next generation.”

  Dawn Childs, Merlin Group Engineering Director, said: “Having developed my engineering career in several large organisations, it’s clear that there’s a growing skills gap in roles where education in STEM subjects are vital. I’m pleased to see that Merlin attractions led by Thorp Park Resort, is inspiring potential future engineers through The Institute of Engineering and Technology’s Faraday Challenge. Engineering can be creative, exciting, hands-on or office based; the diversity is amazing. I’m looking forward to seeing how the teams do and I hope this brings the best out of all those involved.”

   

  The events aim to encourage more young people to study and consider exciting and rewarding careers in Science, Technology, engineering and Maths (STEM) by using creativity, innovation and problem-solving skills.

   

  Each team member in the winning group was awarded a prize and a trophy for their school. The top five teams from across the UK will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the national final at Thorpe Park Resort in 2018 to compete for a cash prize of up to £1,000 for their school.

   

  The Faraday Challenge Days are part of a wider Faraday education programme, made up of a whole host of teaching resources and activities to inspire and attract the engineers of tomorrow.

   

  For more information on the IET and its initiatives to promote STEM subjects and careers in the classroom, visit the dedicated websites for secondary and primary schools.

   

  “It was an absolutely brilliant day. Plymouth University looked amazing, from what I saw. The challenge was more difficult than it looked, but it was exciting and we worked well together as a team. We managed to complete the challenge and I believe we came second. It was a long, tiring day, but well worth it. It makes me more optimistic about a career in engineering; something I will now consider that I might not have done before the Challenge Day.” Rae Weblin

  

• Year 10 Visit Eden

  Sun 13 May 2018

  Just before the end of last term, Year 10 again had the opportunity to visit the Eden Project for the day.

  The day started off with a talk about the origins of the organisation, and its mission to raise awareness about environmental issues and the importance of plants in our ecosystems.

   

  After orientation the teams split up to explore the Mediterranean and Tropical biomes, learning some valuable Biology along the way. There was some great teamwork amongst many of the students, as the treasure hunt task they had been given was challenging, but they were not put off. Thanks go to all staff involved for ensuring all pupils engaged with the task and for guiding them to find the information they needed.

   

  The pupils were rewarded at the end of the day with an ice skating session, which was enjoyed by all who took part. It was great to see so many pupils who started by clinging onto the wall skating hands-free by the end of the session! I was really impressed by all those pupils who had never ice skated before having a go and showing their willingness to go outside their comfort zones.

   

  Year 10 displayed excellent behaviour, both throughout the day at Eden, and on the buses. We look forward to going again next year.

   

  Thank you to Mrs Godwin for organising the trip and all the Science staff and staff/TAs who accompanied them.