This Wednesday we held our first IWEF Spring Concert at Carisbrooke College. The concert was titled ‘Sound Minds’ and featured a programme of songs linked to themes surrounding mental health with over 50 students coming together to be creative and express themselves through the powerful medium of music!

Audience members gathered in the school canteen before the event to view a display of some of the fantastic work being done in our Creative Arts Faculty, while Year 11 student Oliver Kurt, from Medina College, serenaded everyone on the piano and our Parent Voice and School Pastors served refreshments.

The concert began at 7pm and featured a variety of musical performances from our CC School of Rock groups, MC Band, CC Ukulele Club, IWEF Stage Band (comprising of students from Carisbrooke, Medina and The Island VI Form), various soloists and both our CC and MC choirs performed.

Tilly S, a Year 8 student from Carisbrooke College, delivered the first ever live performance of her song ‘Jealousy’, and we were later treated to another original song from Tilly G, a Year 13 A-level Music student at Island VI Form. All of our performers then joined together to perform a concert finale of The Beatles’ ‘Help!’ having learnt and workshopped the song earlier in the day.

The concert was raising funds for the IOW Youth Trust and we were grateful to Michelle Moorman (IOW Youth Trust Fundraising and Communications Manager) for coming along to share some words about the valuable work they are doing in our local community.

In many ways this event encompasses the Five Ways to Wellbeing ‘Give’ that we have been focusing on as a federation this term. If you were unable to attend the concert but would like to contribute towards this event’s donation to the IOW Youth Trust there is an option to do so on School Gateway.

Thank you to all the students, staff, parents and governors who came along to support this lovely evening, and to our Creative Arts Faculty for organising this fantastic event. We are thrilled to see so many of our students so keen to perform at live music events, and look forward to all the exciting opportunities Summer 2023 will bring! All students are warmly encouraged to take part in our musical clubs and activities: please see your Music teacher for more details about how you can get involved in our next event.

The Island Year 8 boys Basketball Tournament took place this Tuesday. The first game was between Carisbrooke and The Island Free School. Liam showed impressive composure by scoring 2 breakaway lay-ups to give Carisbrooke the lead. The Free School replied, but Shai and Charlie sealed the game with his inside shooting. It was a great start for Carisbrooke!

Their next opponent was the confident Priory school who won their previous match convincingly 16-0. It was a close encounter, with both teams missing a few lay-ups. Shai stepped up to take a shot from outside of the 3 point line and it went sailing in, putting Carisbrooke 3-2 up. Priory upped their game and took the lead. With time running out, Carisbrooke knew that one basket could take the win. With some great teamwork, they managed to steal the ball and break with Mason finding the target to settle the game 5-4.

The next challenge Carisbrooke faced was against The Bay. The majority of their players towered over the Carisbrooke team. The Bay dominated the boards and collected rebounds at either end to take a 12-0 win.

Carisbrooke’s confidence took a hit after the heavy defeat, but they were determined to bounce back against the tricky Cowes team. Cowes had some fast players who traveled well with the ball, causing problems down the wings. Against the run of play, Carisbrooke took the lead, and the confidence started to rise in the team thanks to another 3 from Shai. Daniel and Liam added to the tally but Cowes hit back, taking the lead. A breakaway chance leveled the game, and with 10 seconds left on the clock, Cowes managed to find the target right at the death to take the win.

The final game of the tournament was against Medina College, and Carisbrooke was determined not to go out with a third defeat. The game started very cagey with missed chances at both ends. The deadlock was broken by points from Charlie, then later Lucas added to Carisbrooke’s tally. They maintained the pressure, with two more points from Mason to take the game out of reach.

As the results were announced, there was a tie for second place between Priory School and Carisbrooke College, and they had to go to a shoot-out. With Priory starting strong, their first shooter put them 1 up. Shai leveled the score making it 1-1. The priory second shooter put them 2 up, and Carisbrooke’s second shooter missed the opportunity to tie the game. With Priory’s third shooter missing, and the game 2-1 in favor of Priory, Mason had to make the shot to keep Carisbrooke in the running for second place.

The atmosphere was tense as he stepped up to take the shot. Mason made it, tying the game 2-2. With all three shooters taking a turn, it had now gone back to the start with Priory’s first shooter stepping up again. He missed the opportunity to give Priory the advantage. Up stepped Shai, Carisbrooke’s player of the tournament, knowing if he gets this shot right, it would give Carisbrooke the silver medal. He approached the free-throw line, clearly nervous and under pressure. He steadied himself, took a deep breath, and made the winning shot to secure second place.

It was a tournament of highs and lows, but the Carisbrooke College boys basketball team walked away with their heads held high, proud of their efforts and the medal they had earned!

Last week, Year 10 took part in a production and subsequent workshops from The Solomon Theatre Company, the production was entitled The Power of Love.

The play explored exploitation, abuse, cyber safety and the significance of healthy relationships, respect, equality, trust and goodwill. After the production, students were then given the opportunity to take part in a question and answer workshop, where the actors assumed their characters and were able to ask questions which questioned the behaviours which had been exhibited by the characters.

This was kindly funded by a legacy from the Isle of Wight Quakers.

Year 10 students said…

“The play was well done and although personally I could not relate to any of the issues, I could see how it might affect others. It made me feel a bit angry and also sad that people can treat others like this.”

“The play got to me personally especially when the actor playing the abuser hit the female actor which made me feel really sad and emotional, just because she was not doing what he wanted her to do.”

This year we supported World Book Day on Friday 3 March by reading a five part story at the beginning of each lesson throughout the day.  The chosen text was a short story from the book ‘Being an Ally’, a recommended text for our readers. Students found the story engaging, thought provoking and it led to further conversations between students and with teachers. The book can be purchased with a World Book Day book token from most book stores.

Student reflections

Clyde – I think that it is a good moral to stand up to racism by helping others who need it and by becoming an ally. When they start their own website I think it is inspirational because it shows that by sharing stories we can speak out and not be afraid. It shows us how people can feel when they are belittled and how by helping each other we make each other feel better and supported. 

Erin – It was a good story, it teaches you about not just sitting there, but instead using your voice to speak up for others. It teaches us that racism still exists and it can be subtle but it hasn’t disappeared. 

D – I thought it was interesting to read about something that happens in real life. it wouldn’t be something that I would normally read, as it is not the same genre. You may not hear much about racism, but it is clear that it still exists, and it changes the way I have thought.

Leo – I thought it was very interesting and it is a real life situation that could happen at any time and this makes it relatable. 

Oliver – I thought it was a good short story and it shows that a few words can make a big difference to a situation. 

Deacon – I agree with the message that racism is harmful but the story was a bit short.  We hear about racism regularly but there seems to be no better ending to the story ever. 

Stefan – It was a good book, and it teaches about things that I  know happen but I haven’t experienced.  It gave me a new insight on a really important issue. 

Harry – Showed me things I might not have noticed before about the way I speak to others. 

Chloe – It is a good thing to talk about and I can relate to it. It makes me feel less alone.