MALADAH FOUNATION (Gambia)
(Educational Projects) - January 2009—Update

Firstly we would like to thank everyone who came to ‘Woodands Got Talent’. The night was a really big success. Overall we raised an amazing £1224 in total! Sally Bonsall (11C2) and Amanda Bonsall (8C2) were our winners and Megan Clarkson (7C2) was a close second. Also a big “Thank you” to everyone who bought jam at the Christmas Fair—we raised just over £500 at Woodlands and £150 at Portway Junior School.
We (the Gambia Team) have a few events lined up to make as much money as we can before our trip to the school on 3 April, these include:
The making of the Junior Gambia Team—two members of each year will be selected to organise various events and help us to raise funds for the school.
A stationery collection has also been organised for the school. If you would like to donate any spare stationery, or give something to the collection, then boxes will be located in various classrooms—so just pop it in!
The week prior to Valentines Day we are going to be selling Fair Trade chocolates and cards and also selling stamps so you can post a card to whoever you fancy! This campaign is linked with Miss Sindall’s Fair Trade assemblies and we have called it “Love is in the air, so make your love fair.”
Next will be Shrove Tuesday. With the help of the Food Technology teachers, pancakes will be on sale in the D.T. Block at lunchtime, with many toppings to choose from and drinks to accompany! Not to be missed!
The week after Half Term we will be doing an assembly at school all about the Maladah Foundation School and how Woodlands can help. In the assembly Sally and Amanda will be making a special guest appearance.
In March, we are planning to do our own Poetry Live at Woodlands—inspired by the recent Year 11 visit. The students will be performing their own poems and poems from the GCSE anthology. More information available soon.
If you have any further ideas, please let us know—however little, all the money makes a big difference to the lives of those less fortunate than us. Thank you for reading and hope you or your child can make it to some of the events!
The Gambia Team

Uganda Project

On 12 December, in front of almost 200 Year 10 students, 17 Students put forward their presentation as to why they should be chosen to be Woodlands representative for the Uganda Project.
It was no mean feat for them to stand up in front of so many students and staff and speak for two minutes. All of the candidates did really well but unfortunately only two could be chosen — James Whelan and Rebecca Jepson. Below is a poem which James wrote for his presentation.

ODE TO UGANDA

I want to see how the Ugandans live I know that I have plenty to give. I want to experience their deprived life style I know the trip would be really worthwhile.

What is it like living in a dark shed? I wonder as I lie in my comfy bed. Good food, clean clothes, a nice warm room, my privileged life compared to their gloom.

In order to understand how the third world lives, show me a life of poverty—let me want to give. Send me to Uganda and make me realise the troubles they have through my own eyes.

I’ve lived a short life of fourteen years, enjoying my life with no real fears. I want to live their life, I want to share their pain, if only for two weeks I’ll have so much to gain.

It’s a life time chance that I can’t pass, I will be the envy of the rest of the class. The experience will stay with me for the rest of my days, I want to help, assist and understand their ways.

To help them improve their standard of living I will rely on people to be generous and giving. I’m set for hard work and eager and willing to raise some funds and Ugandan shillings.

To help them build their concrete walls I’ll play my part and run some stalls. I’ll fill some buckets full of gunge and invite some teachers to take the plunge. Beware Sir Alan, you’ll be on my list and I’ll make sure that I don’t miss!

I would be an Ambassador for Woodlands School, educating them in our customs and rules, Telling them that I’m a big football fan - playing for Allestree and supporting the RAMS.

So when you fill out your voting slip remember it’s me for this life changing trip. Look down at the list, checking out the names, and put a big tick in the box next to James. James Whelan

Cedar's Got Talent

Cedar House is all about getting involved—Celebrating Everyone’s Diversity, Achievements and Rewards. Huge congratulations to those who auditioned and to those who reached the final of ‘Woodland’s Got Talent’ on Friday 21 November. I had a fantastic evening and I was literally blown away by the incredible performances from all who took part. The versatility of acts was amazing and I am glad that I was not one of the judges who had to make the selection for the final.

Praise must go to the Gambia team who engineered this fund raising activity in order to provide support for the Maladah School in The Gambia.

ROLL OF HONOUR

Ella Papanicolaou (11C2) for getting involved in the Gambia Team

George Dey (11C2) for support behind the scenes

Catherine Alton and Rebecca Pannett (10C2) who opened the show in their newly-formed band ’The Output’. They certainly got the show off to a great start.

Christina Bayes (10C1) who sang solo—very commendable.

Luke Owen (11C1) and Curtis Harlow (11C1) in the rock group ’The Official Gambia Band’. FAB!

Callum Stoodley, George Burdell and Matthew Hart (9C1) in their amazing ‘Hanford Street Parcour’ free-running. My heart was in my mouth!

Ashley Morrissey (10C2) who finished the show playing guitar in the Year 10 band. Superb!

FINALIST Megan Clarkson (7C2) who impressed the audience with her powerful and beautiful voice.
COMPETITION WINNERS—Sally Bonsall (11C2) and Amanda Bonsall (8C2)
Worthy winners—Sally and Amanda composed and performed their own song to a captivated audience. Certainly future success beckons for Sally and Amanda as a talented duo—absolutely fantastic!

AWARDS CEREMONY — DERBY IN BLOOM 2008

Woodlands School won First Prize in the ‘School Green Fingers’ category for its Jubilee Meadow. Many congratulations went to Mrs Pearson, Mr Sandars and the staff and students who developed an excellent range of wildlife resources for the school.
The Award Ceremony took place on Wednesday 29 October at Derby Garden Centre at Little Eaton. Woodlands School were awarded a cheque for £125.

Pictured (from left to right) are:
Abigail Dobson (8M1), Sean Marshall the Deputy Mayor of Derby, Matthew Powell (8M2) Chris Butler the Derbyshire Building Society Sponsor of the Greenfingers Competiton and Euan Crispin (8C2)

WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED

ART COMPETITION WINNERS
Last term (June 2008) Year 9 students took part in an Art Competition organised by Soroptimist International of Derby. As in previous years Woodlands was very successful and gained 2nd and 3rd prize!

The two winners were Molly-Anne Perfect (10C2) who won 2nd prize, and William Thompson (10C2) who won 3rd prize. Molly’s picture showed the seasons and the life-cycle of a butterfly, and William’s work depicted regeneration in London.

Both students attended the Prize Winners Ceremony at the Council House and were awarded their prizes and a cheque for £50 for the Art Department by the Mayor of Derby, Councillor Barbara Jackson, and the President of Soroptimist International Mrs Pam Burrows.
House.

Congratulations to Molly and William and to all of the students who entered into the competition - they all receive a certificate and entries will be exhibited in the Westfield Centre at a later date.