Welcome to our second Newsletter of this term. What a week it has been at Medina College! We have had so much to celebrate, with countless opportunities for our students to live out our school values in the real world.
We were recently honoured with an extraordinary opportunity to join Artswork’s Young Cultural Changemakers programme. This initiative is part of the youth-led film festival, LISTEN UP!, providing a vital platform for young people on the Isle of Wight to speak on issues that truly matter to them. Our students were posed a single, powerful question: “If adults were listening, what would you tell them?” From there, they became the driving force behind every aspect of the filmmaking process. Working alongside professional director Bruce Webb, our students developed the core themes and chose the genre, interviewed and selected the director, co-wrote the script and acted in the film. Operated cameras, managed sound, and composed the original score! On Tuesday, we held a special preview for parents, carers, and distinguished guests, including the High Sheriff, Nigel Hartley, and Ashley Whittaker, Strategic Director of Children's Services. We are incredibly proud of our students' honesty, dedication, and bravery. They perfectly embodied our values of ambition, courage, confidence, and kindness. Keep an eye out – we will share a link to the film very soon!
Huge congratulations to our Active Travel Ambassadors (ATA) team! Today, our students successfully pitched their campaign at the "Campaign Junction" event in the Theatre. We are thrilled to announce that they secured £500 in Modeshift funding to bring their travel initiatives to life. It was a professional, persuasive, and passionate performance.
Yesterday and today, the amazing Mr. Rock took on the gruelling challenge of walking 100 miles around the Medina College fields, starting at 4am yesterday and finishing this afternoon, having walked through the night. Every year group had the chance to walk alongside him yesterday, and the atmosphere was fantastic as we watched him cross the finish line this afternoon. This event even welcomed students from other Island schools to support Mr. Rock as he raises vital funds for Huntington’s Disease. He has truly lived and breathed ambition, courage, and resilience. Please take a moment to read the full report and consider supporting Mr. Rock’s fundraising efforts if you are able.
There will be full details of all our reports to follow for you to enjoy next week.
Please remember that it is Bank Holiday Monday, so we look forward to welcoming students back to school on Tuesday. Year 11 sees the start of their exam season next week, with the first whole cohort exam being the week after. A letter will be shared covering how the school day will be affected as well as final pieces of important information.
Wishing you all a wonderful, restful long weekend!
Mrs Paul, Mrs Mursell and Mrs Sandiford
Executive Headteacher and Co-Heads of School
