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.

Year 10 have been very busy lately! Our Year 10 Basketball team played in a tournament on Tueesday. They played the first game against a well drilled CTK team and took an early 4 point lead however CTK grew into the game and scored some great baskets to win 7-4. 

Medina then played Cowes in the second game and created many opportunities but couldn’t capitalise. The scores were close and Caiden G hit an awesome 3 pointer to win the game for Medina 5-4. 

The third game was against a strong Bay team. Medina started the game excellently taking an early 7 point lead. The Bay struck back with a couple of baskets of their own but Medina held on to win 9-4. 

The final game was against Carisbrooke. Medina came out on top in a tight contest winning 6-4.  

With three teams winning three games and losing one a Penalty shootout competition was done to decide the final standings. Caiden G and George B scored theirs to win the competition for Medina. 
Well done!

Yr 10 Basketball team with their winners medals and trophy – Caiden, Jaymee, George H, Ryan, Keoni. Missing from pic – George B and Eesa.

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.”

On Tuesday our U13 Girls’ 7-a-side team travelled to Eastleigh to compete in the Hampshire Finals. Medina College won the Isle of Wight league and Cowes Enterprise College came second so both teams were representing the Island.

Medina played four games in the group stages against Testwood, Wyvern College, Henry Court and Brighton Hill. Results ended with two wins and two draws, securing second place in the group and having the highest points for second place across all three groups.

The top eight teams then entered a knockout round, where we lost and ended up in the playoff for third and fourth place. We had beaten the team in the group round but couldn’t replicate the score.

Final placing was fourth out of fifteen schools, which is an incredible acheivement. Mrs Caddick was so impressed with the teamwork and determination she saw on Tuesday – fantastic work girls!

Cowes Enterprise College came sixth overall, so a huge well done to their players too!

Team: Mylea, Belle, Poppy, Lyla, Amelia, Imogen and Kayla

Last week our agriculture students accepted a cheque for £754.95 from Wightlink. The cheque was presented by Martin Gulliver from Wightlink.

The funding was granted following an application Mrs Lloyd, Teacher of Agriculture, submitted as part of Wightlink’s Green Fund for Schools initiative. As part of the application process schools were asked to outline how they would use the funds on an environmental project.

The funding that has been received will be used to add bat boxes, bird boxes, bug boxes and hedgehog houses around the school site. We also plan to purchase a camera, which will be added to one of the nest boxes so students can observe nesting and hatching.

Mrs Lloyd and the agriculture students are now looking forward to moving forward with their project! We will be posting updates so that you can follow the project as it develops.

As part of the Duke of Edinburgh Award program, 44 students at Medina and Carisbrooke recently embarked on a practice day hike for their Duke of Edinburgh Bronze. Despite the cold and wet weather,the students had a great time exploring the natural surroundings and challenging themselves both
mentally and physically.

The day began with students receiving a map and compass to navigate their way through the designated trails. As they set out on their journey, the students were initially apprehensive about the weather conditions. However, the students remained positive and determined to reach their destination. They shared jokes and stories along the way, boosting each other’s morale and creating a sense of camaraderie. One group decided to attach colourful balloons to their bags to lighten a gloomy day. The students were thrilled to see different species of wildlife, which added to the excitement of the adventure as well.

Throughout the hike, the students were encouraged to take turns leading the group and making decisions about the best path to take. This not only developed their navigational skills but also strengthened their communication and teamwork abilities.

Upon completing the hike, the students were proud of their accomplishment. They had not only completed a challenging physical activity but also developed important life skills such as leadership, problem-solving, and perseverance.

In conclusion, the practice day hike was a memorable experience for the students at Medina and Carisbrooke. Despite the weather being cold and wet, the students had great fun exploring the outdoors, developing their skills, and building lasting friendships. We look forward to seeing them take on the challenge of their final expedition for their Bronze Duke of Edinburgh Award at the end of the month.

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.