The Bronze students who completed their award with Rose-Marie this year are:

Oliver Page

Lizzie Bradshaw

Joe Sutton

Beth Terrell

Gurpreet Bains

Florian Erb-Rutherford

Connor Taylor

Sam Colin-Jones

Congratulations!

I started cycling just over 1 year ago and I’ve been hooked from the beginning. Since then I’ve toured the country, ridden in mountain bike races, triathlons, and road races.

In August 2012, I rode from Lands End to John O Groats (1000 miles) self supported, and in July before that I competed in the Ironman UK Triathlon which involves a 2.4 mile swim, 112 mile cycle, followed by a marathon run (26.2 miles).

I recently got the opportunity to be a part of a voluntary sports science laboratory experiment, where over a couple of weeks I was put through a series of tests on a stationary bicycle that measured power (watts) in order to test my maximum power outputs, and to see how long I could maintain certain power levels until by body failed. Whilst performing these tests, I was hooked to a gas machine which measured my Oxygen consumption, and CO2 expenditure. I also had my blood lactate levels measured before and after.

The testing was horrendously painful, as all of them involved cycling for as long as I physically could, until my body could not push the pedals for love nor money. At the conclusion of my testing I was given data on all my tests, which told me of my bodies physical capabilities, and my peak power levels.

All in all a fantastic experience, but extremely demanding, and mentally punishing.

After a windy wander from Westminster in the arctic April weather, our arrival at the Tate was with zing and zest and a keenness to experience the arty offerings – and to get warm.  We started off finding a work we each found most interesting in Poetry and Dreams and along the way discussed nightmare and ethereal representation and abstract thought (all fabulous IELTSy language and wonderfully thought provoking).

The students then selected one of the other exhibitions and set off to choose a favourite to tell us all about. I think we all agreed that the knife slashed sacking in “Energy and Process” was a puzzle and possibly a waste of wall space (we had pre-discussed the distinction between an art enthusiast and a philistine) but there was an intriguing division of opinion about the significance of the two balls suspended beneath two chairs and whether this was a representation of male or female power. I don’t think we came to a conclusion — but then, it was Art we were discussing.

After our educational morning, we wandered out into the chill wind again, discussed breaking step on the Millennium Bridge, popped into St Paul’s and another famous London Landmark (The Black Friar) to complete an excellent day out.

Well done to all the students that came up with the idea and organised the sponsor sheet.

The students have recently worked really hard to prepare the allotments for planting up this spring. They have braved the cold snowy weather and recently started to enjoy the first signs of spring!

Below are some pictures of the students out in the river!

Alongside urban and rural navigation, students will cover essential expedition skills such as first aid, cooking, teamwork and emergency procedures. This will involve a combination of outdoor and classroom activities. After training, students will need to complete a series of tasks to prove their expertise in all these areas to earn their Young Navigation Star Award certificate and badge. For those who are considering completing their Duke of Edinburgh Award in Year 10, the YNSA award will also provide an excellent foundation for their expedition training.

The club will run throughout the Spring and Summer terms, after-school from 4-5pm on a Thursday afternoon. The first session will be in the second week of the Spring term on Thursday 17^th January. If your child uses the college minibus, please note that as the training sessions finish at 5pm they will need to organise an alternative means of travelling home. The cost of the award will be £5, which covers registration, their certificate and badge. Forms will be sent out at the beginning of next term for any students who would like to take part.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Annika Johnson and she will do her best to help.

“I’m training at Cadence Performance Cycling in Crystal Palace – working out on a new Tacx rolling road form of turbo training direct from the Netherlands. It is the only one in the UK and I was the first member of the public to try it out at the beginning of November.  You ride along on a large band and watch the road unfold on a large plasma screen in front of you to make the whole experience realistic riding all the classic road races while monitoring your performance.”

Louis Lord, Year 10

Below are the plays that each year group put together and some pictures of the performances.

Year 7 – Tomkins the Pig and the Giant’s Diamond

Tomkins the Pig with Simon Honeydew Lane the dwarf have to battle against Wolves to return the Giant’s diamond with the help of Red Riding Hood.

Year 8 – The Sound of Death

Doctor Philosophus holds the world for a ransom of £200 Billion and only Professor Jinnigan, Assistant Flowers, Blossom and Bert can stop him and his minions.

Year 9A – Summerhill Town

After a nuclear apocalypse, three friends find themselves trapped in a bizarre town full or unusual characters run by a mysterious overlord.

Year 9B – The Only Way Is Rochester … Prison

The stars of TOWIR find themselves in Prison and try to escape with the help of the other prisoners but in the end find they are double-crossed.

Year 10 – An Alternative Christmas Tale

There is trouble at the North Pole as Mrs Claus thinks Santa is having an affair. Their son Noel and his friend runaway and the elves are causing mayhem.