Keep up to date with all the latest news happening in school at the moment.

• Hospice Art by Year 7

  Thu 28 Feb 2019
  Year 7 students made painting and printing tools and used them to create front covers for sketchbooks.  Each one is unique and they are on sale to raise funds for the Hospice

  

• Film Studies – La La Land Trip

  Thu 21 Feb 2019

  On Thursday 17th January, 2019, A-level film studies classes from St Simon Stock Catholic School went on a trip to a spectator-ship talk, specifically engineered for our course, based around the musical ‘La La Land’, starring Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling and directed by Damien Chazelle. This topic of spectator-ship is about how the audience watches a film and how the director wants the audience to view it; it is the chosen area for one of our exams. Therefore, the talk was a very useful event to attend.
  It was based at Depot Cinema in Lewes, East Sussex and consisted of us, of course, being talked to about the film; the context of its production – focusing on the director’s passion and efforts behind the project and other aspects of the process that lead to this brilliant achievement. There was, early on, a screening of the film, to make the talk easier to understand for those who hadn’t seen the film. The talk addressed Chazelle’s inter-textual references, of which there were many, the conventions and sub versions that are scattered across the film and much more. Not only was it a person talking to us but it had a substantial, inclusive Q&A element throughout, so it was also proactive for us all.
  As a film studies student, it was a useful and enjoyable experience for me. The topics and aspects of the film that were addressed were fascinating and helped me understand the concept of spectator-ship and I walked away having thoroughly enjoyed myself and feeling confident about the subject. The attendance was great and filled the cinema to the brim and was, ultimately, a successful venture. If it ever were to be repeated for future A Level Film Studies classes, I would highly recommend it for as many schools as could attend.

   

  Jerome Harrison, Year 12 Film Studies Student

  

• Enrichment Day in Liverpool

  Wed 20 Feb 2019

  Outside of the capital London, Liverpool has more museums and galleries than any other city in the UK. STOCKY Art and Photography students spent two days last week as part of the Enrichment programme, exploring this cultural capital. Students’ began their visit exploring three kilometres of Crosby Beach walking among some of the 100 cast Iron, life size figures on the foreshore.

  After supper, students and staff braced the rain and walked into the Baltic Triangle, once known as the factory and workshop area of the city back in the slave trade of the 1800s. Today it is a thriving and cutting edge destination, home too many creative ventures. As part of our walk, we ventured into China Town, We observing the lantern lit roads and made our way to view the monumental Imperial Arch; learning Liverpool is the oldest Chinese community in Europe and homes the largest arch outside of China.

  The following day students immersed themselves in the history of the World Heritage waterfront at the Royal Albert Docks. The Wheel of Liverpool offered stunning panoramic views, creating excellent opportunities for our photographers. The cities galleries and museums provided research for the recently set exam questions. Favourite exhibitions included ‘Double Fantasy’ a display at the Liverpool Museum hosting a ground-breaking exhibition telling John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s story in their own words.  The Tate Liverpool, a British and international modern and contemporary art gallery showcased Op Art in Focus – a dazzling display from pioneering artists of the 1960s to today. A relaxing lunch in the Baltic Triangle gave students the energy to spend the afternoon exploring the World Museum discovering millions of years of the earth’s history through thousands of exhibits. A personal favourite being the ‘world cultures’ gallery which took us on a journey around the globe looking at Africa, the Americas, Asia and Oceania. We viewed a huge collection of ethnographic objects, which introduced people of the world through their traditions, beliefs, and religions, depicted through objects and artefacts they had created. Our final stop for the day was at the Walker Art Gallery where we experienced beautiful paintings, sculptures and decorative art from the 13^th century to the present day. We were lucky enough to see the collection of Leonardo da Vinci drawings marking the 500th anniversary of the Renaissance master’s death.

  Our 6^th form students were fantastic Ambassadors to St Simon Stock and experienced a diverse and rich selection of world art and culture from Ancient Egyptian artefacts in the World Museum to the spectacular sculptures at the beach by Antony Gormley all in Liverpool. Our students have come home fuelled with inspiration for the recently set A level art & photography exams.

  Watch this space for an upcoming exhibition of students work.

  Ms King

  Subject Leader of Art and Photography

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  “Liverpool opened my eyes to the existential differentiation between artists and cultures depicted by what city they are explored in. Liverpool performed exceptionally well in living to its profound title of ‘Cultural Capital’, influenced my project of ‘Changed Identities’ and my own opinions within the art industry; positively.” – I Felix

  “I found the Liverpool trip a great opportunity to find new artists and inspiration for my new project I am working on. I thought it had a great amount of variety, which allowed everyone to find resources that would benefit their work. I thought it was an amazing experience.” – H Sutton

  “I personally found the whole trip to Liverpool incredibly enlightening. I can truly say that I have never felt so moved by the art in the war exhibitions. This experience has heavily influenced my project on the representation of LGBT throughout time, allowing me to research a variety of artists that will inspire my own artwork.” – C Jones

  “The museums and galleries in Liverpool offered a diverse range of different artists and artworks that gave me inspiration my new project on war. From the National Museum Liverpool offering extensive and stimulating context, to the Walker Gallery exhibiting many paintings and drawings from prestigious artists, inspiring me to work in new styles.” – Z Cotton

  “Liverpool offered a diverse insight into the arts, from the Walker gallery exhibiting Renaissance art to the contemporary Double Fantasy display on at that Museum of Liverpool (an immersive, quite moving experience conveying John Lennon and Yoko Ono’s love) – I had variety of primary sources to feast on.” – I Thompson

  “On our journey though the city of Liverpool we experienced and visited many educational locations. Vising four different museums and galleries it was an overwhelming experience of culture and facts furthermore everyone really enjoyed. I gathered lots of information for my project which will help guide me though the next though months.” – J Abela

  “On our trip to Liverpool we visited many parts of the city including the Albert docks, China town and Liverpool One. We visited different art galleries along the way exploring the Liverpool museum, Tate Liverpool, he Liverpool world museum and the Walker Art Gallery, which gave us a diverse collection of artwork, which appealed to everyone who attended the tip. As well as this we were given the opportunity explore the city going on the Liverpool wheel which gave ups amazing views all over the city.” – R Pengelly

  “Our school trip to Liverpool was truly amazing and fun. It was very beneficial in terms of our exam preparation as we were able to visit many galleries and museums that included a range of diverse and beautiful works. The Liverpool culture and environment was inspiring and helped bring new ideas for our projects.” – K Chelvakumar

   

  “The Liverpool trip was an enriching experience as it gave me the chance to discover new artists in some of its famous galleries. I loved the Walker Gallery and The Tate as it opened my eyes to diverse artwork I can included in my new topic ‘changing identity’. Overall, I was surrounded by lovely people which made my experience.” – E Lake

  “During the Liverpool trip, we went to the Ferris wheel, National Museum, Tate Liverpool, World Museum and the Walker Art Gallery. I exceptionally enjoyed the World Museum at Liverpool because it showed the different parts of the world in detail. It showed history of the world, how our surroundings have changed and diversity.” – Z Iniba

  

• Practise Makes Prefect…

  Tue 19 Feb 2019

  During their enrichment day today, some year 12 students hoping to make the grade to the new Stocky 6^th form prefect team took part in some team building activities to not only bond with each other but to demonstrate skills in communication, leadership, creativity and team-work. It was impressive to see each and every one of them get involved with a positive spirit and demonstrate some of the many qualities that make our students so exceptional. Amongst other activities was ‘Actionary’ where the teams had to either act, draw or model a word to their colleagues. As well as highlighting some quick-thinking and excellent collaboration, it proved that you are never too old to enjoy playing with Play-Doh!

   

  Elsewhere, the year 12s were engaged in worthy activities such as: exploring UNIFROG, the site to help them research and collate information on university course; a workshop on CV writing and first aid.

  This was the penultimate stage before the new teams are announced so watch this space!

  

• Enrichment Day – Dance

  Thu 14 Feb 2019
  Year 10 students were given the opportunity to try out their dance skills on the Enrichment Day.  A dance teacher came in for the day and taught a Hip Hop routine which was enjoyed by the students.

  

• Hospice Visit

  Mon 11 Feb 2019

  A dozen students from various year groups, performed at The Heart of Kent Hospice.  The students performed a variety of pieces for a group of patients and carers.

  It was a lovely visit, enjoyed by everyone who took part.

  There will be future visits, if you would like to help at the next performance

  Miss Kingdom

  Subject Leader of Music

  

• Student of the Fortnight – February

  Mon 11 Feb 2019

  Once again we honour our brilliant students with the Student of the Fortnight award.

   

   

  Year 7: River-Sienna Woodhams – Good effort and progress. A good all rounder.

  Year 8: Danny Wheeler – Much improved student

  Year 9: Chloe Fitzpatrick – Contributing to the community, by singing for the Heart of Kent Hospice and Improved confidence

  Year 10: Gabrielle Hood – Good all rounder

  Year 11: Dennis Cook – Care for others

   

  Congratulations to all of you :)

  

• Concern Raps

  Fri 08 Feb 2019

  Each of our reflection classes were split into groups and were given an important issue within Maidstone to discuss. They then had to persuade everyone else why their issue was the most important. This activity was linked to one of the 5 Core Principles of being Lasallian ‘Concern For The Poor and Social Justice’ and we are a Lasallian school. Some of our students wrote some wonderful raps!

  Syrian Refugees are all our Gs

  Syrian refugees are all our Gs,

  48 families since 2014

  Syrian vulnerable resettlement schemes

  A government programme, helping refugees

  Syrian refugees are all our Gs

  Come into our country paying taxes and fees

  52 have helped yet the rest cry and yelp

  Watching in the corner, reaching for help

  Syrian refugees are all our Gs

  They lost their homes

  Began to roam and roam,

  They come to us

  And we say this is a must.

  Food Bank Crisis

  We are running out of donations,

  We need everyone’s help from the nation

  Over 10 thousand people have died from starvation.

  Food supplies are low in our food bank

  Everyone help and do sank.

  Don’t you feel bad for people’s death

  When all they want is food from a chef

  And a good nights rest?

  If you’re willing to help call

  01622 674064

  Save the poor

  I’m done,

  Fall to the floor.

  Kent Police Resignations Rap

  This is a story all about how

  Police are leaving the county force now

  Public should be extremely concerned

  As who’s going to protect our neighbourhood?

  In west Maidstone born and raised.

  In the yard is where I spend most of my days,

  Chilling out maxing,

  Relaxing

  All cool,

  And shooting footballs outside of school.

  Then a couple of guys, up to no good,

  Started chucking eggs in our neighbourhood

  But there’s no police to protect us so we need you

  To sign up now as a new recruit.

  

• IB Promotion

  Wed 06 Feb 2019
  All of our IB Career Related Programmes will be available from September 2019.

  

• Presentation Evening Year 13

  Tue 05 Feb 2019
  It was fantastic to see out returning Year 13 students on January 4^th who returned to collect their certificates and attend the annual presentation evening. As in previous years the event had an informal atmosphere with teams of students competing in quiz rounds between collecting their awards. Winners included two ‘double awards’ Jessica Lambert for Sport and History and Isaac Scarisbrick for Computer Science and Biology.   Congratulations to all who received certificates and prizes and thank you for an enjoyable and memorable evening.