Students take part in an empowering mental health research project in collaberation with Devon Mind - REN2

20.05.2024
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Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust has launched an initiative to foster research engagement among young people, led and supported by Devon Mind to form the Devon Research Engagement Network (REN2). The aim of this collaboration is to enhance diversity in research participation, particularly within the realm of mental health, with the mission to empower young people by offering them a platform to voice their ideas and concerns.

Central to REN2's approach was collaboration. Working hand in hand with four of our enthusiastic sixth form volunteers, the network co-designed, executed, and evaluated a piece of small-scale but impactful research, tailored specifically for young minds in years 7 to 11.

Ten Okehampton College students from years 9 and 10 eagerly volunteered to participate in a transformative 3-day art workshop. Facilitated by the talented Andy Cairns of West Devon Art Workshops, the budding artists poured their passion into creating pieces that not only expressed their creativity but also addressed critical issues surrounding mental health.

The artwork will soon grace the walls of the college's meeting room adjacent to the main school reception and is hoped to be exhibited in the local community, serving as a powerful testament to the talent and resilience of our young people.

In recognition of their dedication and commitment, the young participants were rewarded with Amazon vouchers, a gesture decided upon by the sixth formers themselves as a surprise upon completion. This gesture aimed to ensure the genuine engagement of the participants, reflecting REN2's commitment to authenticity and integrity.

A celebration and dissemination event held in Exeter on April 25th marked a pivotal moment, with Pete Jolly, DMAT Youth Worker, proudly presenting the group's research findings, showcasing the power of collaboration and youth empowerment.
As one participant eloquently expressed, "I'm proud that I achieved something which will be a part of the school." Another shared, "It feels really fulfilling to see the works coming together and having an amazing experience at the same time." These sentiments echo the essence of REN2 — a beacon of hope, empowering the youth to make their mark on the world.

To contribute ideas or learn more about REN2's initiatives, please don't hesitate to get in touch.

Okehampton Otters Regional Championship Success

In April, 3 students at Okehampton College represented Okehampton Otters Swimming Club at the South West Regional Championships; this is the second year in the row we have had 3 swimmers from Okehampton qualify for these championships.

Abigail Graves – Girls Vice Captain (Yr8), Finley Molyneux – Boys Captain (Yr10) and Ben Webster – Boys Vice Captain (Yr10) qualified for 6 events between them, which took place over a period of two weekends.

The swimmers qualified for the following events: Abigail Graves - 50m breastroke; Finley Molyneux – 50m and 100m breastroke; Ben Webster – 50m and 100m backstroke, 50m freestyle.

Between them, out of the 6 events, they came away with 4 personal bests. Notably, Club Captain Finley Molyneux marginally missed out in the final on a bronze medal in the 50m breastroke, coming 4th place. To be 4th fastest in any event, in the whole of the South West, is a huge achievement, particularly as this is the highest placing any Okehampton Otter has every come at this competition.
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Their coaches Jessica James and Claire Graves commented ‘We are so proud of all three of them; they work so hard in training and it has been their goal this year to qualify for the regionals. To have achieved their goals is a great achievement and hopefully one they can aim for again next year.’

If anyone is interested in joining Okehampton Otters Swimming Club you can drop us an email at [email protected]. Whether you are fresh out of swim school, for fitness or like these 3 swimmers, wish to compete we have different squads to cater for all abilities. 
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Youth Cultural Champions: Celebrating Diversity and Empowering Change

The Youth Cultural Champions at Okehampton College recently completed their final workshop, concluding a program that has allowed them to explore and celebrate their diverse cultural backgrounds. Over the course of several weeks, these students have shared their stories, artefacts, and examples of food from their cultures, while engaging in discussions about the racism and discrimination based on their own experiences.

Throughout this process, the Youth Cultural Champions have developed a deep sense of pride in themselves and their cultural heritage, as well as a new found appreciation for the diversity of their peers. They have also gained a better understanding of the ways in which racism and discrimination can manifest in our communities.
On Friday 21st April, the Youth Cultural Champions gathered for a celebratory workshop, where they participated in a bonfire ritual and received certificates for their hard work. This group has truly demonstrated a positive and respectful approach to learning and growth and will take this experience forward allowing them to serve as role models for future generations of students.
The group will continue to meet in order to create implementation plans based on their training that are specific to the college. Their goal is to start to change the culture within the school challenging racism if present, while also educating their peers about the importance of diversity and inclusion.
This is an exciting step forward within the college and we are proud to have such passionate and dedicated young people leading this programme. By working together, we can create a more inclusive and equitable community that values and celebrates diversity in all its forms. Congratulations to all Youth Cultural Champions and thank you for inspiring us all to be better.
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Ten Tors 2023

​​Four teams of dedicated Okehampton College students completed this year’s Ten Tors challenge despite difficult conditions on the moor. The two 35 mile teams and 45 mile teams had to negotiate thick fog and rain showers and very wet conditions underfoot but still arrived within the time limit in front of crowds of supporters, friends and family. The whole Ten Tors training team of staff are extremely proud of their achievement and wish their feet, legs and shoulders and rapid recovery.

Spring Concert at Okehampton College
24th March 2023
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On the 22nd March 2023, Okehampton College opened its doors to the local community for their highly anticipated Spring Concert. This annual event is a celebration of the extracurricular music clubs and the exceptional work that students have been participating in throughout the term. 

​The 6th Form musicians of Okehampton College chose this year's theme, which was 70’s & 80’s music and co-ordinated the entire event. Each ensemble was asked to prepare something that would tie in with this theme, resulting in a fantastic array of musical performances that brought back memories of an iconic era.  

Students from Year 8 to Year 13 were involved throughout the evening and for some, this was their last concert at Okehampton College after participating in every musical event over the past 7 years. Their leadership and organisation throughout the evening marked their celebratory rite of passage.   

The evening started with a rendition of the famous Doctor Who theme played by the musicians in the Little Big Band and Orchestra. Every ensemble and soloist, from the youngest Year 8’s to the older Year 10’s; The Stereo Problems; Year 11 and Sixth Form Bands, performed their original compositions and well-known 70’s and 80’s numbers with energy and joy, this was echoed by the oldest members of the audience initiating whole audience participation in the YMCA dance number whilst the Orchestra played! As the evening drew to a close, the musicians came together to perform a reggae-influenced version of 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.' The audience was left feeling exhilarated and energised, and it was clear that the hard work and dedication of the students and staff had paid off. Every performance was refreshingly unique and yet they all shared a common theme - their love of performance and a sense of belonging.   

​In summary, the Spring Concert 2023 at Okehampton College was a night to remember. It showcased the incredible talent of the students and provided an opportunity for them to demonstrate their love for music and performance. Alongside the incredible talent of the students, the buzz from the support of parents, carers and local community filled the room. Okehampton College should be very proud of their students' exceptional hard work, talent and accomplishments.

Year 7 Students Lead Book Club Sessions at Trust Primary Schools

Reading is such an important skill and imperative to positive outcomes for students and is a key focus for all Trust Schools. Our English department were honoured be able to send some of our Y7 students from the College to take part in several 'Book Club' sessions at Okehampton, North Tawton, Chagford and South Tawton primary schools during the Festival of Hope in March. Students used reciprocal reading strategies to lead an academic discussion on Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief with Y6 students. These sessions also played another important part of the transition journey for those pupils who will be moving from the primary to secondary phase in September.
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​Okehampton College - U15 Girls - Indoor Cricket County Runners Up 2023

On Friday 17th March our U15 girls went to Exeter University to take part in the Indoor Cricket County Finals Day. 7 schools were in attendance, they were all county regional qualifiers.  Okehampton were drawn in a tough group with Blundells, Ivybridge College, and Braunton. After a challenging morning group stage,  the team eventually finished a very good second place in the group, winning 2 and losing 1 to a very strong Blundells team. Finishing second gave the girls a semi-final spot against Newton Abbott College who won their group in the morning. The semi-final went down the to the last ball with Mia hitting the winning runs to secure a county final spot. The final was against Blundells who had won their semi-final. The girls knew this was going to be a very difficult challenge - Blundells are an exceptional team and Okehampton put up a very brave and determined display, losing by just 30 runs. This was a great improvement from the morning group match. 
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The result left Okehampton College as runners up in Devon but also the top state school in the county for U15 girls' cricket. 
 
Well done and thank you to all involved. 
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Y11 Geography visit to Dawlish Warren
14th March 2023
​On Monday 13th and Tuesday 14th March a total of 137 year 11 geographers split over two days visited Dawlish Warren to collect data on the physical processes affecting the coastline and the reasons for the different coastal management strategies. 
 
On the Monday we endured the wind whereas on Tuesday the sun came out which meant for data collection in the sun! Students stood underneath the Langstone rock sea-arch to observe the physical processes that have shaped this feature and later looked at how groynes are stopping the process of long-shore-drift. There were only a few wet feet and the odd booklet that had to be chased down the beach but overall, it was an invaluable experience to now use in GCSE exam questions. 
 
Thank you to the geography department and support staff for making the trip happen. 

Okehampton College Celebrates Diversity with Youth Culture Champion Training workshops
10 March 2023
​Okehampton College in the UK recently held their first Youth Culture Champion training day on Wednesday, February 22nd. The event brought together 16 students of different ethnicities and heritages for a day of celebrating their identities and strengthening the college's approach to diversity. The workshop marked the first of four, each with the aim of tackling racism and discrimination within the school and celebrating the diverse community within the college.
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The programme is being delivered by Devon Development Education, an organization that specializes in developing education programs that promote diversity and cultural awareness. The training aims to provide students with the skills and knowledge to become culture champions, who can lead initiatives that celebrate and promote the diversity of the college community.
During the first workshop, students and staff shared stories about their heritage and celebrated their diverse cultures. The aim was to help students understand the importance of embracing and celebrating their identities and those of their peers. By sharing their stories, the students gained a better understanding of each other's backgrounds and developed a sense of belonging within the college community.
The second workshop was held on Friday, March 10th, and was just as successful as the first. The students delivered presentations about themselves, their families, and their cultures. Each presentation was unique, and the audience learned about a wide range of traditions, customs, and practices from all over the world. The students' presentations were inspiring, and everyone learned so much about each other's cultures.

Dan Morrow, CEO and Trust leader of Dartmoor Multi Academy Trust, attended the session to listen to some of the presentations and taste some of the wonderful dishes the students had cooked from their different cultures. The students were proud and confident to show the rest of the group their cultures and all set a great example of how to be a culture champion for Okehampton College.
The Youth Culture Champion training program is an important step for Okehampton College in promoting diversity and inclusivity within the school community. By educating and empowering students to become culture champions, the college is helping to create a safer, more welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their backgrounds.
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The program is just the start of the school's commitment to celebrating 'us' as a college and our diverse heritages. It is hoped that the workshops will lead to more initiatives and events that celebrate diversity and promote inclusivity within the school community.
In conclusion, the Youth Culture Champion training program is a positive step towards tackling racism and discrimination within schools. By empowering students to become culture champions, Okehampton College is creating a safe and inclusive environment that celebrates diversity and promotes cultural awareness.

Year 10 Okehampton College Students Experience the Power of Theatre with An Inspector Calls Production
9th March 2023

On 9th March, Okehampton College gave 150 x Year 10 students the exciting opportunity to watch Stephen Daldry's multi-award-winning National Theatre production of JB Priestley's An Inspector Calls at the Theatre Royal Plymouth. The play, which was staged in its original form, left the students in awe and excitement.

The play was a perfect blend of English and Drama, and the students were mesmerized by the inventive staging and the active audience who voiced their support for Sheila against her unfaithful fiancé. The staff who accompanied the students praised them for their conduct and engagement with the play.  Alice Hawkins, Head of English, said, "It was a really exciting opportunity for students to see the play as it was originally intended - onstage!" Toby Skilton, a Year 10 student, found the overall atmosphere and flow of the play extremely interesting from both an English and Drama standpoint. He enjoyed the explosive stage as well as the symbolic side characters.

The two stage levels were filled with symbolism and information of the time, but in an unusual way. Each character had their own story, and it was a brilliant play in a fantastic theatre.

Alice Oldland, another student, was impressed by the overall presentation and execution of the play. She found it modernised yet firmly rooted in the plot of the play. The play added highly dramatic and explosive stage features when concluding the performance, which made it highly enjoyable for all while still echoing Priestley's morals in the original play.

The play was not only a great experience for the students, but it was also a testament to the importance of theatre in education. The students were able to witness a play that had won multiple awards and experience the power of theatre in conveying important themes and messages.

Those who organized the trip deserve a big thank you for giving the students such a great opportunity. The enthusiasm of the students was evident, and it was a truly memorable experience for all.

U13 Girls Cricket 
7th March 2023

Congratulations to our U13 girls indoor cricket team who  represented Exeter and Mid Devon at the indoor cricket county finals day on 7th March 2023.

They won their group and very narrowly lost the county semi-final off the penultimate ball to a strong team from Torquay Girls Grammar School. 7 players out of the squad of 9 pictured below are U12 and are playing a year early - this makes the result especially impressive.

Well done and thank you to all involved. 

Launch of the Literary Canon
10th February 2023

​Okehampton College launches its new Literary Canon, a collection of fantastic books to read during tutor time four mornings a week. ‘Reading for just ten minutes a day exposes students to over 500,000 words a year, building vocabulary, developing reading ability and background knowledge, alongside the enjoyment of sharing an active reading experience as a tutor group. 
The reading curriculum at Okehampton College uses high-quality texts as a vehicle for sensitively introducing the children of our communities to both similar and contrasting lives, as well as developing a lifelong love of reading’. ​

Remembrance Week 2022
25th November 2022
​Rememberance Week 2022 The week beginning 7th November was Remembrance week at the College. Again, Remembrance posters were displayed around the College as a constant reminder to students of the importance of the week. Mr Rodgers (with the help of Mr Giles with Year 10) delivered Remembrance assemblies to all year groups including Post-16 students.

We remembered the sacrifices made by British servicemen and women around the globe since 1914, the amazing contributions from people of colour like Walter Tull (who was the focus of a campaign led by his former football clubs Tottenham and Northampton to receive the Military Cross posthumously). The focus this year was on remembering the Falklands War as it was the 40th anniversary of the conflict and it is a war that many young people are unaware of. 
We remembered the impact of war on the survivors like Kevin Woodford who lost his left leg when Sir Galahad was bombed, ChrisWhite who helped to save him; Michael Iddon an army medic who even today is struggling to come to terms with the conflict and Robert Lawrence, who in the last hours of the war, was shot in the head from behind, losing 45% of his brain and most of his mobility down his left hand side. ​
​The students were incredibly respectful during the assemblies. With Remembrance Day falling on the Friday, the College showed its respect school wide. Mr Rodgers, over the tannoy, read the poem ‘The Poppy’ by Paul Hunter. Students then stood as the Roll of Honour of all past students who died during WW1 and WW2 was read out, followed by another excellent rendition of the Last Post by Ciaran Hopkins in Yr13. Once again, the two minute silence was respectfully observed. The week culminated in Mr Brett, Mr Rodgers and Joseph Gwidza (Yr11) representing the College at the Okehampton Remembrance parade on the Sunday. The town came out in force to show their respects and it was a brilliant and proud moment to see so many students representing different groups wearing their respective uniforms with pride
Induction Day 2022
​6th September 2022
On the first day of term, all students participated in a full student induction day. Whilst the content varied from year group to year group, there were several common threads to this work. Firstly, a strong focus on team building between students and new tutors getting to know their tutees for the year ahead. Secondly, this day was an opportunity to set the tone for the year and outline our collective plans to ensure every student at Okehampton College feels supported, challenged and able to succeed. With this, comes the need to remind all students of the pivotal role that they play in this vision. The ‘Oke 8 Habits’ frame this work and reinforce the behaviours and characteristics we will strive to encourage our students to show on a daily basis. 
The induction day for key stage 4 students included a session on ‘how we learn’ and an opportunity for them to explore the new revision guides and resources that are forming a key part of their tutor programme. Years 8 and 9 enjoyed a teambuilding session with Adventure Okehampton on the school playing fields. Bridge building, axe throwing and various team building activities were completed amongst much excitement and competitive rivalry. The student induction day was a new development this year. As with all our work, we will seek student, teacher, and parent voice feedback to learn how we can improve and enhance our provision in future years