Ascension : TB School - Week 34/35 June 30th
Submitted by The Islander (Soo Matthews) 03.07.2008 (Article Archived on 17.07.2008)

Dear Parent/Guardian, We have had some problems with our photocopier so this is two weeks worth of news at once.

Senior School Road Race

This took place on Tuesday 24^th June with the students starting from Donkey Plain and running or walking all the way to town.

Results

Boys KS3

1^st        Yannick Low-Hong             24m 48s

2^nd       Kieran Yon

3^rd        Max Rodger

Boys KS4

1^st Place         Josh Rodger

2^nd Place        Dane Wade

3^rd Place        Corey Anthony

Girls KS3

1^st Place         Imogen Henry

2^nd Place        Shelly Williams

3^rd Place        Chelsea Thomas

Girls KS4

1^st Place         Shalane Thomas

2^nd Place        Anisa Moyce

3^rd Place        Franki Arms

Well done to everyone who took part in the race.  Congratulations also to the staff who took part in the race.

Thanks also go to Darren for laying out the water stops, Ms Gbenga and Mrs C Yon for their timekeeping and lastly to WPC Cathy Bowers for her support keeping the walkers and runners safe along the way.

Activity Weeks

The secondary sector are concentrating on Shakespeare for activity weeks.  If you have any old curtains, bedspreads, sheets or other bits of material you don’t need we would be glad of the donations for the costume design.

Year 11 Leavers Do

This year the Year 11 students celebrated their graduation from senior school with their parents and teachers with a lovely meal at Two Boats Club.  Many thanks go to Mrs Andrews for organising the event, the staff who helped prepare the room, Johnny for his speech, Delphia and all the staff at Two Boats Club for all their hard work.

To the amusement (embarrassment?) of the students and their parents Johnny Hobson shared some appropriate words with us all. 

All the staff at TBS would like to wish the students all the very best for the future and look forward to hearing about their adventures.

End of Year Awards Ceremony

Our annual End of Year Awards Ceremony will take place on the morning of Friday 11^th July.

A few words from our New Staff

We asked the staff who are going to be joining us in September to write a little bit about themselves.  In alphabetical order we have –

Mrs Alison Birkett – Middle 1 Teacher

I have been teaching primary children in and around the city of Carlisle for the last 12 year and it’s time to move on!  It’s going to be a big adventure for me and my family! 

I live in Cumbria, near the Lake District in the north of England.  It’s beautiful here, there are lots of lakes and mountains we like to walk, climb or go down to the water at weekends.  You might know some other people from Cumbria.

We’ve been busy packing for the past few weeks, you wouldn’t believe the things we have to bring.  I enjoy reading, painting, drawing and walking.  Mike Birkett, my husband has packed his climbing boots and harness, his joinery tools and bird books (these were very big and heavy boxes)!  Tamar is our daughter, she’s 4 and has a box of Barbies and her swimming costume.  Joseph is 2, all he wants is his tractor. 

We have visited the island before, so we do know a little about life on Ascension.  This is one reason why we’re so keen to return.  Tamar calls it ‘Sunshine Island’ because when she was little she couldn’t say ‘Ascension’.  I dare say, we will still be rather bemused and shell shocked in those first few weeks, so if you see a rather pale, hot and bothered family looking lost and confused, please stop us to introduce yourself!

Mr David Clarke - ICT teacher

My career has been Geographically varied mainly in the UK and the South Atlantic although I have taught in Africa.  I am married with two children Sam and Sarah who are both now grown up, both Fisheries Scientists. They spent some years at school on St Helena. My wife Ferne who will be with me has also spent many years working in schools.

I have taught on St Helena and the Falkland Islands and have passed through Ascension many times. I have taught both ICT and Science and even some Geography. I am used to working and living in small remote communities. My present position is in one the remotest schools in Scotland - two hours drive along single track toads to the nearest supermarket! It is a very small secondary school with 65 students from 13 to 18 years of age. 

I have always enjoyed island life since teaching and living on the Isles of Scilly early in my career. I am sure that life on Ascension and at Two Boats School will be challenging, and I hope very enjoyable.  It has been a long damp winter here in the north of Scotland and I must say we are both looking forward to some sunshine.

Mr Steve Tobin – Maths teacher

My name is Steve Tobin I will be joining Two Boats School as maths teacher in September.  I am married to Helen and we will be moving to Ascension with our two children Morgan (11) and Faye (9) in August.  We are all excited about the move and looking forward to our lives on the Island.  We have lived in Norfolk for 7 years. Norfolk is a rural county and whilst here we have raised pigs, chickens, turkeys and ducks our smallholding has made us almost self sufficient.

For the last 7 years I have been the Head of Maths in large secondary schools in Norfolk (UK).   My teaching style is a mix of the traditional and new. The children I teach seem to particularly enjoy the practical projects I am so keen on.  In June my current year 8 class will be making a final attempt to break the world record for the longest paper aeroplane flight - should they not make this they may still break last year’s mark of 17 seconds.  Maths is an important subject and I take great pride in achieving high pass rates in final exams.  Last year my current school had a record maths pass rate with 217 of the 298 year 11 pupils getting a grade C or better. I am looking forward to meeting the children on Ascension and helping them to both enjoy maths and do well in the subject.

Kate Trodd – Middle 2 Teacher

I've been living and teaching around Kingston in Surrey for about 10 years. I taught at Pilling Primary in St Helena for a year and enjoyed the South Atlantic so much I couldn't wait to get back to the sunshine. My favourite lesson is music and I really enjoy being involved with musical productions and teaching the choir.

I love singing and playing the saxophone, which I used to play in a Scout and Guide marching band. In the past I have done lots of voluntary work with the Scouts and really hope to get involved with any local projects. I love being outdoors and can't wait to spend lots of time swimming around the island.

Yours Sincerely,

Soo Matthews

Headteacher