This summer 10 students and three teachers (Mrs Carless, Mrs Henderson and Miss Moulder) spent 4 weeks travelling around Peru. Amongst the many highlights were...

Staying with local families on the island of Amantani on Lake Titicaca. After a football match against the locals (which we only won after a dubious 'golden goal' ruling) we had a fiesta in the evening, with traditional Andean dancing. Our hosts dressed us up for the occasion; the boys wearing ponchos and woolly hats with ear flaps and the women wearing full skirts (with several layers of underskirt), embroidered blouses and shawls.

Trekking for 5 days along the Inca trail to the Inca city of Machu Picchu.The students coped brilliantly with the demands of this challenging hike, and formed strong friendships with the Peruvian guides and porters, despite the language barrier. We were unlucky with the weather along the trail; it snowed on the high point of the trail (Dead Woman's Pass, 4300m) and the mountains were obscured by cloud much of the time. However the clouds cleared for our arrival at Machu Picchu. We spent a whole morning exploring the amazing Inca ruins, and three of the more energetic members of the group managed a hike to the top of Huayna Picchu, the mountain overlooking the ruins.

Spending 9 days in the Amazon rainforest! We slept in thatched shelters, and had our sleep disturbed by screams from Mrs Carless (a "giant" cricket inside her mosquito net) and some of the girls (an opossum rustling in their litter bin), we drove down to the river Madre de Dios where we transferred to motorised canoes. We got about mostly by motorised canoe and saw plenty of wildlife; loads of different monkeys, capybara, giant otters, caiman, turtles, parrots, macaws and probably one hundred other species of bird. We also visited a community of Indians; we had them 'tattoo' our arms (and backs for some of the group), tried their 'masato' (fermented yucca drink), attended a pottery 'masterclass' and took a 5 hour trek through the rainforest with them to learn about how they use various plants for medicines, shampoo and disinfectant.

Visiting a community called 'Huayllacocha' where we distributed all the ciothing and school equipment we had brought with us from the UK. In addition we had brought with us £500 with which we purchased additional school equipment and four sets of football shirts in different colours, each with Theale Green Community School, England' written on the front.The distribution was a resounding success and a really intense experience for the students.

We would like to thank everybody at the school who contributed clothing, toys, books and school equipment for distribution. It made the Peruvian children very happy!

Since September all students in years 7 to 10 have been following a new compulsory subject -Citizenship Studies. Citizenship Studies allows students to gain credit for extra curricula activities such as membership of the school council, army cadets and charity work as well as gaining knowledge about the way Society works. Already the year 9 and 10 students have learnt about their consumer rights and are currently looking at how the laws are made. Year 8 is looking at the role of media in society and year 7 are looking at how Theale Green deals with issues such as poor behaviour and bullying.

Although over the last few years' aspects of Citizenship have been covered in House Period, it was decided that it would be better for the students if they had a timetabled lesson of Citizenship per week. Year 9 and 10 are following a short course GCSE in Citizenship Studies while year 7 and 8 are following the ASDAN Key Steps Award; both allow students to gain credit for achievement in Citizenship. The lessons focus on the main aspects of the Citizenship curriculum as well as ensuring we meet the requirements for PSHE (Personal, Social and Health Education).

If anyone has any questions about Citizenship, please contact Mr Williams (Citizenship Coordinator) at the school.

Thirteen Theale Green students have been following a new vocational course, the ASDAN Youth Award Scheme, since September. This course allows students to earn the equivalent of a grade B GCSE pass, while developing key transferable skills.

As part-of this course the students had to take part in a residential adventure week at the PGL centre called Beam House in Devon. The aim of the course was to allow the students to try a range of activities outside of the confines of school, while allowing the group to bond. Each day the students had to complete 2 or 3 different activities and then, each evening, evaluate their performance and how they helped others. The activities that the students completed were: abseiling, rock climbing, archery, challenge course, mountain hiking, high ropes course, St John's First Aid qualification, initiative exercises, zip wire, trapeze and motor sports.

The trip was a great success with all the students (and staff!) overcoming a fear. We were very fortunate to have such excellent instruction from the PGL staff and all the students worked well. Some students did so well that they are hoping to go back to Beam house for their year 10 work experience.

The students will be holding an information evening in November about their experiences on the trip and will be premiering a very entertaining video. They will also be taking this opportunity to thank the sponsors of the trip.

Our students' environment committee is identifying areas they would like to see improved around the school. They are also running assemblies after half term to encourage all students to take an active part in keeping our school tidy.

Parents are encouraged to support this initiative through discussion with their children about the benefits of a tidy school site.

The Art Department would like to welcome a new member of its team. Mrs. Roxanna Shield has joined the Department for this year as a graduate trainee. As an artist in her own right she has already been an inspiration for some of our sixth form and we look forward to her working with all our other year groups later in the year.

ART ON SHOW- Every year at the "Berkshire Show" in Newbury the Art Department is given the opportunity to show some of our student's artwork. This year saw the arrival of "Surrealism" in Theales¹ display. We hope people enjoyed the students' work and look forward to the next display in 2005.

THE PRIMARY CHALLENGE - The Art Department staff are looking forward to the end of this half term. Our challenge is to inspire and demonstrate our own talents to a slightly different audience just before the half term break. We will be working with Primary Teachers to help come up with some new ideas for younger sibling's art lessons in Years 5 and 6 before they join us here at Theale Green Community School. Wish us luck!

Have you named ALL your kit and your phones, wallets and watches? Too many pupils are not looking after their belongings resulting in items going missing. We strongly recommend that pupils bring the minimum amount of valuables to school on P.E days as we can only take in items that are named.

Lunchtime and after school clubs are all going really well with large numbers showing a keen interest in attending to help them improve their ability. Keep up the enthusiasm.

Congratulations to the Year 7 netball squad. Our A team remain undefeated after matches against Willink, Little Heath, Hugh Faringdon and Langtree, Very well done also to Natalie Beale on her brilliant summer of athletics; achieving national top 10 times in sprinting and high jump and to Sophie Nevin, Helen Morris and Jenny Godding on their fantastic achievement in gaming places in the National Junior Synchronised Swimming Squad.

More news later in the term.

We are delighted to report that planning permission has been granted for a new bus park adjacent to the Bradfield Road to the rear of the school. This will greatly improve the arrangements for the bussing of our students.

Plans will be displayed in the school foyer shortly. We expect building work to start soon.