GEOGRAPHY

Greenhill School prepares for an earthquake! (by Holly, Ashley, Tom and Ceri in 9NCGG2X). During our geography lessons over the last two weeks, we have been building a house, which is earthquake proof. We were split into seven groups and each built their own design. One group, which consisted of Aaron, Josh, Patrick, Codie and Sarah, made a model building that was made up of lead, wood, sponge and insulation. They believed this was an effective design because the sponge reduced shock and the insulation kept the house stable from the quake. Another talented group came up with the idea of a house surrounded by a big plastic ball, as this spreads the shock of the quake, rather than the shock hitting one certain place. This idea was from Ashley, Sophie, Ffion and Kaiha. Another group, Tom, James, Ceri, Paul and Jake designed a house, which was built on sponge, which absorbed the shock, protecting the house from danger. Each group has been busy with their individual designs, and have put in a great lot of effort in putting their designs together, into one model house each. All models are uniquely planned and thought out. We used a virtual (conservative) earthquake effect by putting the houses on top of two tables and then moving them. We tested our model buildings in class, and the results show that the winning group, and most effective model building was the house built with sponge surrounding it, because it withheld the shock, and was still standing after our virtual earthquake. It was the house built by Sarah, Holly, Murray and Adam - well done! A design the logo competition is running in the school this term. All students can enter the competition. All they have to do is design a logo and submit their design on disk to Miss Oliver or Miss Spratt, with their name and form group

LOST PROPERTY and CONFISCATED CLOTHING

Items of uniform will be available to anyone who wishes to replace lost clothing. This has all been washed and will be left in a suitable available space for students to rummage. If parents wish to come into reception they too can have access to the pile of second hand uniform. Lost property items have been sorted and will be donated to a local charity shop before the end of term; again this mountain can be made available if you wish to check for any items. Confiscated items - i.e. jewellery: Please remind your child that if they have any items that were confiscated by staff over the year that these must be collect by the end of term, contact Mrs. Scale in the main office.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Due to the increase in activity by the construction company, it has been decided to release Year 9 on Friday, July 13, for the summer break, this year group being the most appropriate at the end of Key Stage 3 and before Key Stage 4. All other year groups are reminded that they must continue to attend school until the official end of the school year - Friday, July 20. However, the rest of the school will still be affected by construction work and may have room changes affecting their timetable. Students should look out for appropriate posters on room doors and listen for tanoys. The contractors should have the work complete by August 31 and this will leave very little time to move back into the new and remodelled accommodation. Therefore, it has been decided to use the first two days of the staff training days and an additional third day to complete the move and have the school ready for students. This is Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday September 3, 4 and 5. All year groups return to school on Thursday, September 6. "I appreciate that these closures and disruptions will cause you possible inconveniences and apologies in advance if this is the case," said headmaster Mr. Chris Noble. "I trust you will understand the considerable burden on school and staff at the end of this year and the beginning of the next school year, but hope the disruption to your child's education is minimal. I am confident that we will do everything within the timescale and ask that you be patient with us and we will see a transformed school in early September."

WELSH

Yr Adran Gymraeg: Llongyfarchiadau! Congratulations to the competition winners of Monday's Year 6 Open Evening. Cwt ar y Ddraig - Shannon Shields (Ysgol Stepaside), Enwi'r Ddraig - Lewis Brickle (Ysgol Sageston) a Faint o Losin? - Claudia Belli (Ysgol Sant Teilo).

Dates for your diary

Wednesday, July 4 - Year 6 Sports Day at Greenhill; Friday July 6 - Year 6 Induction Day; Friday, July 13 - Inter House Sports Day; Saturday, July 14 -Jazz Night at Creswell Quay; Friday, July 20 - last day of Term (buses leave at 1.45 pm).

DRAMA COMPETITION

The 2007 drama competition saw masses of talent from Greenhill drama students. The judges found it difficult to choose the winners from such an array of stars. However, winners were finally decided on, they toured their plays around the feeder primary schools last week. Well done to all who reached the finals - there was a lot of stiff competition in this year's entries. Runners-up were: Year 7 'The Return of Dr. Evil' (moral - let others join in). Performers - Jack O'Shea, Jack Murphy, Ben Vickery, David Rowe and Tom Law.