The Spring edition of Woodham's very own 'glossy magazine' has been published this week (24th Feb.) and a copy will be sent home with all students. Features:
International links Lets Get Cooking Miami visitors Engineering Challenge Camp Cody 2010 Language Trips

Parents' Mailing

The Parents' Mailing for February 2010 has been published on 4th Feb. All students have received a copy to take home. The February edition concentrates on the recently updated Woodham web site, giving details of new and improved features of the site.

Information about forthcoming online facilities such as parent payments and electronic communications to home via email and SMS text messaging are also included.

To download or view a full colour version of the booklet please CLICK HERE.

Woodham CTC Collects Cash for Earthquake hit Haiti.

Year 7 students at Woodham were so moved by the scenes of devastation in Haiti that they decided to have a 'Fill the bucket for Haiti' cash collection.

Students from 7KB visited every tutor group each morning, collecting any spare cash students had.

Mrs Barker, Head of Geography, who co-ordinated the collection said, 'We set a target of £500 knowing that would represent 50p from each student. We have exceeded our target, the total currently stands at £550. Our donation will be channelled through the DEC Appeal.'

Mrs Barker observed, 'It was great to see students giving out of compassion for the suffering they saw on their TV screens. It is wonderful to see students give and not feel the need to have a reward for giving, such as a non uniform day. They saw the need and they responded. ' Students in Year 9 are planning to raise more cash by organising a Talent Show.

Tuesday 17th November marked Woodham's second Specialist Day of the year. On Specialist Day, the whole timetable is suspended and all students engage on day-long (or occasionally half-day) activities that could not normally take place. Often Woodham's staff are supported by visiting experts to make the day go with a buzz.

Amongst other diverse topics, a group of students experienced fieldwork associated with their qualification in Fish Husbandry. The prize of the day goes to Joe McLean who bagged a 3?lb rainbow trout!

All in all Specialist Day 2 was wide and varied. One Year 11 student said that he hadn't expected to enjoy a full day of one particular subject. However he completed all his coursework and was heard to say, "Can we have a full day like this for all our subjects?

Children In Need

Students and staff at Woodham Community Technology College organised a day of fantastic fund raising to support the BBC's Children in Need appeal on Friday 20th November 2009. Students participated in fancy dress ranging from cave girls to babies, cheer leaders and fairies, and even a Michael Jackson lookalike.

The highlights of the day included Year 10 student, Harry Woolley, having his legs waxed, and college chef, Phil Goldsborough, made a giant Pudsey Bear cake which was raffled to boost funds. Over ?1000 was pledged in an excellent and worthwhile day of events. Well done everyone!!

Woodham Celebrates Record Examination Success

Woodham Community Technology College is celebrating its best set of GCSE results ever! Staff and students from the college were overjoyed when they opened the all important brown envelopes together last Thursday. The results showed improved examination performance for the fourth year running. 63% of students gained 5 or more GCSE grades at C or above (9% increase from last year) and, more importantly, 54% of students gained 5 or more GCSE grades at C or above including English and Maths (13% increase from last year and 6% above last year's national average for all schools in England). These are wonderful achievements and show that students at the college receive a well rounded education, providing a stepping stone to either further education or opening doors to career opportunities.

Not only were the college headline figures impressive, there were also some remarkable individual successes to celebrate. Twelve students achieved eight or more A and A star grades, sparking hugs and tears of joy with their friends on results day! Success and jubilation were evident on faces everywhere with groups of students at all abilities performing fantastically well and receiving results to be extremely proud of. There were also notable successes in vocational subjects such as Hair & Beauty, Motor Vehicle Studies and Childcare.

Jon Tait, Director of Student Support at Woodham said "These are wonderful results for our students and it proves that all the hard work and hours or preparation that both our students and staff have put in has paid off. To have improved results for the fourth year running and attaining the best results that the school has ever had is a truly fantastic achievement. Everyone connected with Woodham is delighted for our students and wishes them all success in their future careers. With successful results behind them they can now move on to pursue their plans in further education, employment or training with a great deal of confidence. Well done everyone!".

Students from Woodham Community Technology College began the festive season early as they prepared a parcel of Christmas presents for the troops fighting on the front line in Afghanistan.

Following a PCC lesson on Remembrance Day, the students of tutor group 9LD and 9SR took the initiative to collect toiletries, books, magazines, sweets, biscuits and playing cards to be sent to their heroes. Each student also wrote a letter to a soldier.

The students watched an excerpt of the Remembrance Day parade broadcast by the BBC in which, Drummer Kilcullen played the Last Post filmed at Camp Bastion. Students decided that they would like to extend their gratitude and admiration for the soldiers who are away from home this Christmas. Their teacher, Mrs L Drew, who is a friend of Dmr Kilcullen, says "I cannot believe how deeply involved our students were throughout this project. You could have heard a pin drop when they wrote the letters." Some of the students wrote about their parents' and grandparents' experience of war and a few expressed their interest in joining the forces. "Their letters were heartfelt and sincere. We hope our troops enjoy their special parcel and that it puts a smile on their faces this Christmas" Mrs Drew added.

Woodham Students Chosen to Coach in America

Eleven lucky students from Woodham Community Technology College are on cloud nine after the news that they have been selected to coach in America next summer on an American Summer Camp. This is part of the COACH USA programme that the college and Active Inclusion have put together.

The lucky students who were chosen from a large field of applicants from the college were put through a rigorous interview process before being offered a place on the programme. As part of the programme, and in the run up to flying out to America, the eleven students will be given access to an individually tailored coach education plan involving national governing body awards, practical coaching assessments and in house training from Active Inclusion. The students will also be marketing and launching their very own multi skills sports sessions every week in college for younger students to take part in.

The eleven students selected this year are: Josh Stephenson, Beth Gibson, Sam Jarps, Lauren Craggs, Max Aldred, Rhianna Bonas, Paul Heilbron, Amy Cossins, Josh Watson, Rebecca Harris, and Niall Smith.

Congratulations to all of them.

WOODHAM COMMUNITY TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE'S YOUNG ENGINEERS

Woodham Community Technology College students are working with Sedgefield Engineering Forum in a challenge to design a transporter bridge and a remote controlled car.

Benefiting from funding from Aimhigher County Durham, and guided by Mike Burnham of Sedgefield Engineering Forum, the aim of the challenge is to bring engineering into schools and promote business and enterprise. Woodham is one of several secondary schools participating in the challenge this year. The challenge will culminate in a competition between the schools when the car will be driven around a track and over the transporter bridge, which will be required to support the weight of the vehicle.

International Inspiration

Woodham links with Kendriya Vidyalaya, Khanapara (KVK) school in Assam, India as part of the 2012 London Olympics.

Organised by the British Council and Youth Sports Trust, the programme "International Inspiration" aims to deliver on the promise made by the London 2012 Olympic bid team in Singapore to inspire young people around the world through the power of sport. In February, the Principal and link teacher from KVK visited Woodham on a week long trip to look at our facilities and teaching methods. This was followed up by a return visit from the Head of Sport and Vice Principal of Woodham to Assam in April.

The links formed are centred around sport, but also include many other areas of the curriculum. Mr Oliver, Vice Principal of Woodham said "It is our intention to develop permanent links between our schools and explore the similarities and differences of our cultures through a variety of projects. We will now be training a number of students to become Young Leaders and they will deliver a sport based project that will have a significant educational impact in each other's schools. Our ultimate aim is for students from both schools to visit on another's countries."

To view a video of the trip click the play button.

Woodham is a forward-looking specialist Technology College dedicated to giving all young people the best possible start in an increasingly competitive and fast-changing world

This includes high standards of literacy, numeracy, Science and ICT combined with a broad general education and the opportunity to study a wide range of vocational subjects such as Engineering, Business and Health and Social Care.

We have a distinct ethos combining high standards, a strong work ethic and self-reliance with a relaxed, friendly and inclusive community spirit.

Please feel free to explore our website using the buttons above and any other hyperlinks you might find.