Best ever results at Methwold High
A HEADTEACHER has questioned whether "forcing knowledge into young people's minds" can be considered as real learning during the celebration of a record-breaking year at Methwold High School.
The annual presentation evening saw former students return to the school to toast their success with current pupils, teachers and governors in a year which has seen Methwold achieve its best-ever results.
But headteacher Denise Walker said: "We have become obsessed with forcing knowledge into young people's minds in the hope that they will regurgitate what we have fed them in unreal examination situations.
"We then praise the best students for being able to repeat facts as closely as possible to our original message and for being able to think like us. Is this real learning?"
Methwold saw Year 11 pupils achieve more higher grades in the core subjects of English, maths and science than ever before, while A level results continued to show an upward trend. Year Nine students also met all the targets set for them by the school.
Mrs Walker added: "This is a testament to the hard work of our students and our staff and the commitment to learning throughout the school.
"It is important we celebrate the academic achievements of our students, but it is also important to recognise that being a school is not just about gaining qualifications.
"The school is about making the most of opportunities offered to you, building a positive reputation for yourself, making life-long friends and giving something back to the community."
Chairman of governors Mrs Queda Burge also addressed those present and thanked students for their hard work and positive attitude over the year.
Guest of honour for the evening was MP for South West Norfolk Mr Christopher Fraser.
Lower school prizewinners – art and design, Toni Campbell; drama, Shannah Wills; English, Shane Pueschel; English literature, Victoria Elliott; food technology, Declan Day; French, Bethany Griggs; general progress, Jane Heys; geography, Oliver Moat; graphics, Natalie Costtick; history, Rosina Brooker; ICT, Liam Reynolds; maths, James Cope; music, Rachael Breheny; PE – boys, Aaron Burt; PE – girls, Ellen Rumsey; religious education, Rachael Breheny; resistant materials, Danny Westbrook; science, Luke Buonocore.
Upper school prizewinners – art and design, Victoria Soar; business studies, Adam Reynolds; citizenship, Joel Whittingham; drama, Megan Palmer; English, Liam McIsaac; English literature, Michael Bragge; food technology, Lisa Reeve; French, Georgie Nelson; general progress, Adam Evans; geography, Patrick Yates; graphics, Daniel Metcalfe; history, Rachel-Marie Cotgrove; ICT, Jonathan Grinsell; leisure and tourism, Lisa Reeve; maths, Sophie Ward; music, Jodie Santer; PE – boys, Kyle Green; PE – girls, Hayley Nelson; philosophy and ethics, Michael Smith; religious education, Victoria Soar; resistant materials, Joshua Kniebe; science, Sophie Ward; skillforce, Amy Guy; sociology, Roanne Ephithite; textiles, Kirsty Walker; work-related learning, Rosie Sutchbury.Sixth form awards – Norfolk Scholar, Sarah Cadenhead; outstanding work at A level GCE, Sarah Cadenhead; sixth former of the year, Kelly Freeman; ambassador's award, Kelly Freeman.
Special awards – community achievement award, Thomas Hannant; prize for the most enterprising student, Daniel Bunting, Raelee Combe, Yasmin Frost and Tansy Makins; Milbank Cup for achievement in maths, Laura May; The Gamble Cup – Year 11 rugby team, Ashley Bennett (captain), Anthony Adams, Edward Bristow, Benjamin Cope, James Hearmon, Sam Hernandez, Warren Meadows, Daniel Metcalfe, Jesse Reeder, Adam Reynolds, Nathan Sismey, Nicholas Turver, Kyle Wells, Nicholas Wheatley, Joel Whittingham and Patrick Yates; head boy and head girl awards, Nathan Sismey and Kirsty Walker.
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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