Pupils from all forms continue to have a busy term. Last Wednesday, pupils from Years 10 and 11 took part in a Challenge of Industry day organised by careers adviser, Mrs. Nicky Shanklin, when aided by advisers from industry and the professions, they formed companies and made, marketed and sold gift bags. This was an extremely worthwhile exercise and, listening to the hard bargaining going on, revealed hitherto hidden talents!
We are grateful to Mrs. Shanklin and to the advisers for giving of their time and expertise to help our pupils get a glimpse of the world of business. Special thanks must go to Katy from Careers Wales West who ran the shop and was bombarded with requests for discount as the day wore on.
In the end, every team made a profit, though only by their workers receiving no pay. Not quite so easy in the real world!
Finding out about the real world is not confined to older pupils, as Years 7 and 8 took part in the 'Building Bridges' project, sponsored by the Education Business Division of Careers Wales West. This proved valuable in teaching the pupils how to work as a group, and it was with some satisfaction that physics teacher, Miss Sarah Taylor, reported that the winning team was made up of girls, and their bridge held 14 bricks! Engineers of the future perhaps?
SPORT
Although the sporting scene has been rather quiet of late, the netball teams recently travelled to Porthcawl where they played teams from St. John's School.
Year 11 won 20-16, Years 9 and 10 won 21-20, but the juniors lost 6-3, nevertheless, gaining good experience along the way.
On an individual note, Year 4 pupil, Phillipa Burke, has won a shield and medal in a prestigious archery competition at Carmarthen. Well done, Phillipa!
At the other end of the age range, the whole school and the staff room in particular, was delighted to hear that head of maths and girls' PE, Mrs. Shirley James, has been selected to represent Wales in the Welsh Veterans tennis match against the Home Counties at Southampton this month. We understand that she qualifies on residency and has not had to find a Welsh grandmother! We wish her all the best. Who knows - it could be Wimbledon next!
SIXTH FORM
The Sixth Form students continue to build on an excellent start, and are working towards their AS levels in English, Maths, Biology, History and Geography, as well as AVCE Business Studies. In addition to these subjects, next year we will be offering Physics, Chemistry, ICT, Media Studies at AS level and Leisure and Tourism at AVCE, with the benefit of small teaching groups allowing for individual attention.
Business Studies students have visited Oakwood Leisure Park human resources Ddepartment, Tenby Employment Agency and Tenby Tourist Information Centre, as well as making use of resources available at Pembrokeshire College.
Geography students have been on field trips to the river bed at Cosheston and to the approach to the estuary at Carew while studying hydrology, ensuring that students get the chance to put theory into practice. Trips further afield are planned in the near future.
Anyone who is interested in studying in the Sixth Form at Netherwood should get in touch with director of sixth form, Mr. John Holland, or call for a prospectus from the school.
As Mr. Holland says: "We aim to give every student the chance to study whatever he or she wants."