At the end of last term Kingsmead Forest School students enjoyed a water vole and rivers learning day at Piles Mill, Holnicote. The students spent time with the National Trust riverlands project team and had the great experience of seeing the rare water vole up close. They also learned a great deal about the species from a presentation by water vole expert, Derek Gow.

Brilliant news – three teams from Kingsmead who played at the Schools County Final Games, held at Millfield during the first week of April, have beat the competition to become Somerset County Champions.

65 students from Year 10 had the opportunity to travel to Cardiff on 21 March to watch The National Theatre’s production of Macbeth at the Wales Millennium Centre. The students are studying Macbeth as part of their curriculum for their English Literature GCSE and this was a great chance to see a live theatrical performance to support and enrich their learning.

This year’s World Book Day took place on Thursday 7th March and Kingsmead teachers recognised the day by bringing the theme of books and reading into their lessons in a variety of ways. Some teachers chose to post an inspirational quote about books in their room/talk to their students about their favourite book, while others played the Great Big Book quiz in registration time. Mrs Freeman’s Year 7 MFL class listened to “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” in German for "Welttag des Buches", ie World Book Day.

The outside of Kingsmead’s Science Block building is proudly displaying a new piece of artwork created by students and staff. The large 16 x 12ft mural was created during last year’s Challenge Week by art students now in Year 9. The mural focusses on the school’s core values of Aspiration, Care, Respect and Determination with images to represent every subject and support area available to students in school. The mural is an artistic view through the eyes of the students and their daily life at Kingsmead.

Kingsmead students who take part in Forest School and those who are part of the Outdoor Education Partnership with the Holnicote Estate on Exmoor have been busy tree planting as part of the National Trust Riverlands Project. The students have planted a variety of trees & shrubs including Wayfaring, Alder Buckthorn, Field Maple, Dogwood, Guelder Rose, Hawthorn and Blackthorn in small coops in an area behind Bossington beach where new priority habitat for nature is being created. Shrubs such as Alder Buckhorn & Dogwood provide a valuable food source for Brimstone and Green Hairstreak butterflies while Hawthorn & Blackthorn provide berries and fruit for wintering birds such as Redwings & Mistle thrush.

20 Kingsmead students competed at the Schools County Cross Country Championships held at Aldon Hill, Yeovil on Saturday 19 January. This followed qualification by the students at the Taunton Area Trials held in December where over 30 Kingsmead students ran. There were some great performances from Kingsmead: Tom Heal earning bronze and 3rd place, Noah Heal 6th, Charlotte Brown 8th and Will Ladd 11th. The students, with William as reserve, now go on to represent Kingsmead and Somerset in the Regional Competition which will be held in Bath at the beginning of February.

On Wednesday 16th January three student teams took part in the first round of the Rotary Youth Speaks Competition, held at Danesfield School in Williton. The teams, each consisting of three students, were required to present a speech to the judges and audience on a topic of their choosing to strict timescales before answering questions put to them.

Year 9 students had their Careers Day on Tuesday 11th December. Instead of their usual timetabled lessons students spent the day in 30 minute taster sessions finding out more about various industries ranging from Engineering and Construction to Sport, Music and Dance. Some students had to solve the riddle of the mystery guest by asking key questions to work out what he did for a living! There were also sessions covering apprenticeships, universities and finding employment.

The cast and crew of Kingsmead “Schools Will Rock You” performed three fabulous shows to audiences over the nights of 5th-7th December. Students from across Years 7 to 10 were involved in every aspect of the musical as actors, singers, dancers, musicians, back stage crew and technicians and are to be congratulated for all their hard work and dedication that resulted in a hugely enjoyable show. Recognition must also go to all the staff involved including Elizabeth Vassallo, Director/Producer and Huw Weston, Musical Director.