Issue 8 December 2013

Bridging the gap in Borneo

Contents

breaking news - breaking news - breaking news A real ‘team’ effort Fashion Show success The sixth form organised a fashion show in Welcome to this latest aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust which was issue of High News, an held in front of a full house and raised over issue packed with so many highlights that £3500 on the night! have taken place over the past few months.

The summer term ended on a real high note, with the excellent Show, Music Festival and Community Week, and this term has carried on where last year left off.

The amount and quality of activity taking place within school, and in the local community, is indeed impressive. We are very fortunate here at the High school to have such an exceptional level of commitment that makes this possible: a talented team of enthusiastic and dedicated Somersaulting success staff who give freely of their time; the huge 6 teams and 3 individuals have been number of students who volunteer their time as crowned as north west champions at the young leaders to support others, or help, with regional trampoline schools’ event. pride, at school events, and finally, the positive ‘have-a-go’ attitude that is displayed on a daily basis by the majority of our students.

I hope that you enjoy reading this Christmas issue and that you have an enjoyable festive holiday and a happy New Year.

Mark Vincent Assistant Headteacher (Community)

breaking news - breaking news - breaking news

4 - 5 Headteacher’s news 6 - 7 School news 8- 9 Community news 10 - 11 Curriculum spotlight 12 - 13 Student news 14 - 15 Borneo 16 - 17 Arts X-tra 18 - 21 Sports news 22 - 29 Events and visits 30 - 31 Charity news 6 - 7 Back page High Community & Leisure

Contents

Do you receive the weekly High Notes e-mails containing ‘bitesize’ reminders, dates, events and wilmslow.co.uk information? For all the latest community news If not, please e-mail: go to wilmslow.co.uk jogden@wilmslowhigh..sch.uk with your correct e-mail details.

Looking for a venue or facility to hire; we may Wilmslow Business Group have what you are looking for, with a range Do you run a local business? Are you interested in of conference areas, sports lettings and other joining the Wilmslow Business Group? Contact Sue multi-use spaces. Contact Paul McManus on Morrison on [email protected] [email protected] or 01625 441053

Come and watch some high quality sport on a Saturday morning here at the High School PTA needs you! and enjoy a coffee from one of our two Costa If you can offer any time or support, please Cafés contact Sonya Wild on [email protected]

6 - 7 14 - 15 22 - 29

Headteachers news

This term overall has included even more events and activities to be proud of: the opening of our £1.6m build providing much needed accommodation for our students with a focus on providing better facilities for students on alternative programmes, with learning support needs and for the sixth form; a light hearted and well performed sixth form production of ‘Flint Street Nativity’; our second ‘Wilmslow‘s Got Talent’ evening; ‘Children in Need’ Day raising over £2,500 through a range of fun activities; students participating in sports (at regional and national level), arts and ‘Xtra Xtra’ activities during school, after the core day and at the weekend. Add to that young people out on geography and biology study visits; history students visiting the Battlefields; numerous day visits; the Bar Mock Trial team winning the regional round in Manchester and off to the finals in March in Cardiff; our Christmas here again, and, as always, the end of ‘Dragons’ Den’ team selling ‘chocolate a busy and interesting term. The range of activity mice’ to raise funds and theatre visits to mention and successes of the autumn term are reflected just a few; our Christmas celebrations culminating in this edition of ‘High News’ with some mention in a traditional music concert and ‘Coffee and of things coming along soon in the New Year. Carols’ for parents and the wider community and ‘High News’ and ‘High Notes’, we hope, keep you of course, not to be taken for granted, the day in up to date with all that is happening at Wilmslow day out, teaching and learning that takes place High School and in the community of Wilmslow. I with staff and students working hard together….. I also hope you find time to read ‘High News’ over am sure that you will agree that it has indeed been, the festive break and take the opportunity to as always, a very busy term! celebrate our achievements, and most particularly the achievements of our students, your sons and Just a few notes: daughters, during the autumn term. § End of term: the school will close for Christmas at approximately 12.30pm on Thursday 19th You will probably know, that Ofsted ‘visited’ us December twice this term: once through a full inspection at the end of October and secondly through the § Start of term: the spring term starts at 8.40 am publication of a national report for science, at the for all students on Monday 6th January 2014 beginning of November, which placed us in the top § 18 secondary schools out of 89 inspected in the Examination preparation for Year 12 and Year survey based on our inspection last November. The 13: now that January modules are no longer an HMI, who wrote the report and is also the national option for A-Level students, mock examinations adviser for science, contacted me as the report will take place in the week commencing was about to be published and re-affirmed that Monday 13th January 2014. Normal lessons will ‘outstanding’ science provision is ‘relatively rare’ be suspended during this week to allow students and that the BBC might be in touch as we are ‘one to focus on the examinations they have to study. of a handful of schools in the north west’ where Students must take these modules seriously and there ‘is very high academic progress for all groups treat them as if they were public examinations. of students’. Praise indeed for our science team They are therefore expected to undertake a and your children. comprehensive revision programme during the Christmas holiday.

4

Headteacher’s news

§ Year 11 mock examination results collection § Extreme weather: please check the website for and Year 11 Parents’ Evening: these are information about the school having to close in on Thursday 9th and Thursday 16th January extreme weather. I will only close the school if respectively: please make every effort to attend the health and safety of students and staff are with your son or daughter. These meetings will an issue. We will aim to have any information focus on what needs to be done before final about closure on the website by 7.00am on GCSE examinations to ensure students achieve any day in question. what is expected of them and indeed what they should do to go beyond expectations. I would like to thank students for their contribution to Wilmslow High School this term: as always this is § Year 9 course choices: please note the course hugely impressive. My thanks, also, to the staff for choice evenings, which provide information their massive commitment to the education they about Year 10 and 11 courses, take place provide for your sons and daughters including the on Tuesday 21st and Thursday 23rd January, countless ‘Xtra’ activities they offer and support. followed by the Year 9 Parents’ Evening on Thursday 30th January. Please make every effort to attend to support your son or daughter On behalf of the teachers and staff during this important process in aiming to make at Wilmslow High School, may I wish the right choices. Dr Pulle, Deputy Head, leads this process and he will be providing, along you a Happy Christmas and best with Heads of House and Curriculum Teams, a very thorough programme of support during wishes for the New Year. this important time.

§ Attendance: whilst this time of year impacts on Mrs Bremner students’ attendance you will be pleased to Head teacher know our attendance over the autumn term was over 96%. Thank you for your support in helping maintain this percentage: we need to do this year in year out so we can never relax on this aspect. As we all know you have to be here to achieve!

§ PTA: the first meeting of 2014 is on Tuesday 14th Come along and join January at 7.00pm at school. Why not start the Wilmslow High School students for: New Year with a resolution that you are going to get involved with other parents in supporting students in sport, the arts, or generally? Why not come along to some of the social events Community Coffee & Carols too? All welcome! All funds raised are, at the moment, going towards providing benches for On Wednesday 18th December students around school so it’s very easy to see 10.30am - 12.15pm what your money has been spent on.

§ Term and holiday dates: the 2014-2015 term and holiday dates have been on the website in the main hall for a while now. If you are planning ahead, do please check the dates before making a holiday booking. As you know the regulations We look forward to are even tighter now and I can only give approval for leave of absence in ‘exceptional seeing you there. circumstances’. As I stated above, attendance and achievement are closely linked and I need you to ensure all holidays are within the school holiday periods.

5 School news

“Scientific phenomena at the heart of every lesson” Wilmslow High School is one of only 18 schools in the - Ofsted, November 2013 county where the overall effectiveness in science is judged as outstanding, according to Ofsted.

This news was revealed in their latest national report ‘Maintaining Curiosity in Science’ which was published on Thursday, 21st November, and covered 89 secondary schools

The science inspection took place at school in November 2012, after which the school were told that achievement, the quality of teaching, the curriculum, leadership and management at Wilmslow High were all ‘outstanding’, but to be recognised nationally was, according to Mrs Bremner, “the cherry on the cake”.

Mrs Bremner commented, “We know from our report last

Russian Heads’ visit

In October, sixteen Russian Headteachers visited Wilmslow High School as part of a two week training and fact finding trip. During their time at the High School (supported by a translator) they met with students for a Q&A session, experienced a history lesson and an assembly, and took part in discussions with a number of staff. They left saying how impressed they had been with the ‘calm atmosphere, impeccably well behaved students and variety Russian headteachers with Mrs Bremner of activities offered to students’.

sustainable, student leadership opportunities have now been organised under a new structure which includes the ‘Games Makers’ and the School Council. Running alongside this new structure there is also a leadership model that supports curriculum subject areas within school: subject ambassadors. A number of strands of leadership make up the programme, with each strand being overseen by a senior prefect and either a head/ The 6th form student management team deputy head boy or girl: inclusion; curriculum; community and volunteering; peer mentors; Sixth form role models form helpers; SMSC and anti-bullying.

Over the past few years sixth form students have The sixth form take on a very important role in daily acted as young leaders in a number of ways: as school life as role models to younger students. This networkers to mentor younger students, acting as new leadership programme will give more senior form helpers, peer counsellors and raising the profile students the opportunity to ‘give something back’ of the national anti-bullying campaign. and will provide younger students with a fantastic range of peer support and guidance options. To make this programme of student leadership more

6 School news “Scientific phenomena at the heart of every lesson” - Ofsted, November 2013 November that Ofsted had seen ‘scientific phenomena at the heart of every lesson’, that ‘all groups make high academic progress’ and that there is ‘superb support for students with severe disabilities and special educational needs’ but to be told that ‘the outstanding progress seen at Wilmslow High School is rare and that the school is one of a few, one of a handful of such schools in the north west’, is praise indeed.”

Mrs Bremner concluded, “I am delighted for our students and hardworking staff who deserve this national recognition for their achievements. While the country as a whole may be short of scientists it is pleasing to know that the student take up of the sciences is very high at Wilmslow High School and that we are making a significant contribution to educating the scientists of the future.

Up and running!

A new £1.6 million building was officially opened at school in November. Over 80 guests enjoyed a drinks and canapé reception, student lead tours, music performances and a VIP ribbon cutting ceremony.

Mrs Bremner lead the proceedings and began by thanking the many individuals and groups of people who had made this project into a reality. She remarked, “Students, parents and staff are delighted with Mrs Bremner accepts the ‘handover’ from the new building after four years of Jon Parker of the Emerson Group hard work in securing the funding in partnership with the local authority. It is particularly pleasing to provide further outstanding facilities during a period of austerity”.

The funding for this new build was secured with the support of Council, and Fintan Bradley, Corporate Manager for Education Strategy at the Council, also spoke at the evening about how he was “simply blown away” by the new building.

Open Evening September 2013

Hundreds of visitors enjoyed a night full of high quality displays on Open Evening in September. Visit the school website and view the ‘Open Evening Film’ to sample the many varied activities on offer.

7 Community news

Sports awards for Wilmslow High School

Now in its fourth year, the Council’s annual sports awards aims to recognise the time and dedication put in by volunteers, coaches, clubs and athletes to develop sport across Cheshire East.

More than 170 people attended the awards evening at Cranage Hall on Thursday, 21st November, organised by the Council’s leisure development department. This year a record 91 nominations were received in the 10 categories.

Cheshire East Council’s In a new category for 2013, Wilmslow High School was leisure services manager Mark Wheelton with Vicky recognised as Secondary School of the Year. The award Cragg receiving her Young celebrated the school’s commitment to providing two Volunteer of the Year and a half hours of high quality PE each week for all award. students, the range of extra curricular opportunities available for all students, its student leadership Volunteer award for programmes and the school’s hosting of the Cheshire and Winter School Games in March. Vicky School Games Year 10 student Vicky Cragg was Organiser, Rosie Also on the shortlist for recognised as the Young Volunteer of Harris, was also the award were former the Year at Cheshire East’s annual sports shortlisted for the Wilmslow High School awards. The category was open to Special Recognition students, Blake Roberts and individuals aged 18 or under who have Award, recognising Josh Burgess, who were volunteered their time within school the dedication and recognised for their work and community settings over the last 12 hard work she has on Cheshire East’s Street months. put in over a long Sports programme. period of time to Vicky is a key member of the Wilmslow make a difference High School Games Makers programme to sport in Cheshire as well as a volunteer coach with the East, both through her role as founder and chair of junior hockey teams in school and with Wilmslow Lightning Netball Club and the School Games the Wilmslow Trampoline Club. Organiser for the Macclesfield Sports Partnership.

Wilmslow High volunteers

The Wilmslow High School volunteers group is a joint venture between Cheshire East Youth Support Service and Wilmslow High School. The idea of this project is to take a group of 16 young people, identified by the school, as being suitable to work on charitable and environmental programmes within the community of Wilmslow and Handforth.

The group have already been involved in many varied projects within the local community. The projects are 8 Community news

PTA pumpkins

The PTA have made a succesful start to the new academic year in terms of raising funds at a variety of events. The ‘Winter Warmer’ PTA fundraising evening raised well over £1000 for the school (thank you to all of the parents who attended) and refreshment sales at events such as ‘Wilmslow’s Got Talent’ and the ‘Live Lounge’ have also been very pleasing.

The sale of second-hand uniform and PE kit was a We are always looking for parents to offer new initiative last year, which has gone from strength help, in way they can. If you could spare a to strength this year. If you have any clothing that small amount of time, or can offer ‘matched you can donate, or if you need to purchase any funding’ through your place of work, please second-hand uniform, please contact Heather contact Sonya Wild on [email protected] Vincent on 07889 924692 or [email protected]. Alternatively, contact Kay Ferguson on 07870 070468 or [email protected]. Heather and Kay will be in High Options every Tuesday during term time between 2.15pm and 3.15pm.

Friends give a helping hand The Friends group will help with duties such as watering planters in and around the station, keeping the station areas tidy and presentable and updating community poster cases.

Members of the ‘Friends’ group include representatives from Northern Rail, the Crewe to Manchester Community Rail Partnership, Cheshire East Council, Wilmslow High School, Incredible Edible, Cycle Wilmslow, local residents, and members of the Lifestyle Group based at Wilmslow Leisure Centre. Will Hale B10CB and other volunteers doing some gardening at the station Members of the Wilmslow group identified their first project as establishing a library at Wilmslow Station, for the benefit of all passengers. Students from the Based on the success of other groups at stations High School will be helping to transform the former along the Crewe-Manchester railway, such as store room into a library. Handforth and Goostrey, the ‘Friends of Wilmslow railway station’ held their inaugural meeting at the station’s new café on the 17th July.

intended to help both the young people and local decorating and collecting books and groups as well as to promote Wilmslow High School/ maintaining the library area) Youth Service partnership. ■ A litter pick at Handforth Train Station.

The projects the group have been involved in so far The young volunteers really enjoy having include: opportunities to help others and improve the community they live in. A small number of the ■ Fund raising for Children In Need students spoke in a recent assembly to explain ■ Bag packing at Waitrose why they get involved. They said that developing ■ Macmillan coffee morning raising money social skills, confidence and a feeling of pride from ■ Volunteering at Wilmslow Train Station to giving something back in their home town, made provide a public library room (ongoing volunteering a great thing to do. project, including waste removal, cleaning, 9 Curriculum spotlight

How do students learn PHSCE? The core values and skills involved in PHSCE are very much the values of ‘The Wilmslow Way’ and so students develop these throughout their time at the school. However, in order to develop the specific knowledge which underpins these subjects, they are taught in two unique ways:

Firstly, twice a week across the school, students are engaged in planned tutorial activities which follow a PSHE, careers or citizenship theme. What is Secondly, on the five PHSCE days across the year. These days enable students to explore PHSCE topics in depth and give them the opportunities to learn in different PHSCE? ways. A number of these days are based around team work, project skills or working with different curriculum teams from across the school. Personal Health Social and Who organises PHSCE? Citizenship Education: The PHSCE team is led by the curriculum team leader, Mr Munro; with Mr Jones as the careers coordinator and Mr helps students become responsible and Ingham as the citizenship coordinator. The team in supported by Mrs Whatson and by Mrs Stephens, who also coordinates caring citizens who can contribute to work experience. school and the wider community. It is made up of two strands of the National Curriculum:

the local business community, providing students with vital experience as well as development targets for any future interviews.

Year 9 students took part in GCSE taster lessons, exploring which subjects and skills they may need to develop during Key Stage 4. This will be followed up in PHSCE lessons with a scheme of work, helping students recognise their strengths and further explore how their interests may link to career choices. PHSCE lessons also support students in making their KS4 choices, encouraging the development of a clear rationale, on which informed choices can be based. Since September both Year 9 and Year 11 Further to the above ‘in-school’ learning, a group students have been involved in careers of students from Years 9 to 13, visited the Skills Show education on PHSCE days. at the NEC in Birmingham on 14th November. This is the ‘Olympic Games’ of vocational talent, where For Year 11 students, this began with CV and many young apprentices were able to showcase covering letter preparation and culminated in their expertise and employers from a wide range mock interviews, conducted by volunteers from of industries, offered advice and encouragement

10 Curriculum spotlight

Who teaches PHSCE? Every teacher teaches PHSCE. This may be day-to-day by emphasizing the values of ‘The Wilmslow Way’ or as a form tutor during morning registration time. On PHSCE days, teachers may work with their forms, or as subject specialists. We also have a huge number of visitors who support us where they have specialist knowledge.

How can I support PHSCE at the school? We are always keen to build up our network of experts who can come in to support the PHSCE curriculum. It may be that you have particular skills or knowledge in one of the curriculum areas and if so, we would be keen to hear from you! We currently have a network of over 200 business colleagues who support the careers team, and if you are willing to act as an interviewer for mock interviews or to talk to sixth formers about your 1. PSHE aims to develop students’ career path, then please contact Mr Jones. understanding of their own wellbeing: This year we are reviewing our approach to sex and mental, physical and financial. At relationships education and Mr Munro will be working Wilmslow High School, this strand with a group of parents to gather their perspectives on this. If this interests you, then please contact him includes careers education. ([email protected]). 2. Citizenship aims to develop our students’ role in local, national and international society

to students on how to develop their interests place during the summer term. These events will further. bring the knowledge and experience of our local business colleagues into the classroom to support In addition to the support offered by teachers, the overall vision for careers education: staff and careers visits, PHSCE activities are all underpinned by the impartial advice and ‘to provide the opportunity for students at guidance offered by careers advisor, Dr A Rowe. Wilmslow High School to learn about, and In brief, students are well supported and have a take advantage of, the range of pathways range of expertise to choose from when seeking and opportunities available to them guidance. during secondary education, in order to make informed choices for a successful Further careers visits are planned: PHSCE careers future’. events for Year 7 and Year 12 are set to take

We are only able to provide such a high quality of careers experience for our students due to the generosity and time volunteered from our local business ‘Achievement Partners’. If you are interested in supporting any of our careers activities or if you would like any further details of how to access careers information, advice or guidance, please contact Mr P Jones, Careers Coordinator (pjjones@ wilmslowhigh.cheshire.sch.uk).

11 Sixth sense

New roles and responsibilities for Head Boy and Head Girl

At the end of the last school year, nominations were made for the appointments of the Head Boy and Head Girl for the school. After a number of weeks, a short list of students was whittled down to the final few.

Alex Lloyd (H13AW) earned the role of Head Boy while Lauren Summers (H13AW) became Head Girl. Alex reported feeling “ecstatic” when he heard the good news.

Their new roles and responsibilities include regular meetings with Mrs Bremner, the head of sixth form and other senior staff and chairing school council and management meetings. A steady flow of functions requiring attendance is also involved, for example, an evening of live music with celebrity appearances at the opening of the new Pavilion extension building, Alex Lloyd, Head Boy and Lauren ending with the Head Boy and Head Girl cutting the Summers, Head Girl. Alex reported feeling ribbon for the new building alongside Manchester “ecstatic” when he heard the good news. City defender Joleon Lescot, artist Michael J Brown, football freestyle champion John Farnworth and Corporate Manager with Cheshire East, Fintan Bradley.

Other more informal functions have included the charity event ‘Movember’ which increased awareness and raised money for male specific cancer charities. Also participating is Elliot Green (B13NM) who, together with Alex, raised a total of £150 for various men’s health charities.

No taboos for anti-bullying week

The annual anti-bullying week aims to tackle key issues facing young people across the country. Playing a key role in these efforts are Year 13 students Elliot Green and Elle Bracegridle who are committed to raising awareness of the immense pressure faced by many young people who have questions about their sexuality. This is a subject new to mainstream school life across the country and is sparsely addressed due to its adopted taboo stereotype.

Elliot and Elle believe that homosexuality should be more widely discussed in order to make it a less embarrassing issue to talk about with family and teachers. Difficulty arises from fear of rejection and the anticipation of a friendship being broken down once a young person has made clear to people their sexual orientation. “There needs to be more done to help potential lesbian, gay, bi-sexual or transexual students.” says Elliot, “They shouldn’t feel rejected in society Olympic Gold Medalist, Tom Daley, recently and in the classroom,” he added. talked openly about his sexuality

12 Sixth sense Here come the boys!

In March of this year, sixth form student, Tom Lee, was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a cancer of the glands.

Around 1,900 people are diagnosed with this form of cancer every year in the UK and Tom was one of those unfortunate few. However, other statistics on the brighter side of the scale are these: more than 80% of people diagnosed with the disease beat and survive it, and wonderfully, Tom is one of those 80%.

Having beaten cancer and on a full road to recovery, Tom is now better than ever, with his hair (and eyebrows!) all growing back.

However, Tom will agree he could not have beaten Although the hair has now grown back and, cancer by himself, and credit for moral support has thankfully, Tom is in full remission, the colossal to go to nine sixth form boys who helped Tom every support the boys showed has certainly not gone step of the way. Not only did they support him, as away. Once a few local articles and a ‘Just Giving’ all of his friends did, they went the extra mile and page had been set up in order to publicise the underwent a head-shave at the same time Tom boys’ head-shave, the story went global... quite shaved his hair off. literally. Through the help of social media various ‘groups’ and ‘pages’ on Facebook and Twitter Originally just an idea to support a friend, Tom Sneyd, began sharing the boys’ story and the appeal for Ollie Knight, Jake Vaughan, Michael Loughlin, Seb raising money, using titles such as “Faith in humanity Pemberton, Harrison Peck, Alex Lloyd, Harry Stobart restored!” to accompany the tale. Not only this but and Jake Fellows, at the last minute, decided to publications in America such as ‘The Huffington try to raise some money for charity, and did they Post’ and ‘paper.li’, an online magazine, have also raise some money indeed! All in aid of The Teenage picked up the story and promoted it across their Cancer Trust, for the support they gave to Tom country. throughout his chemotherapy, the boys, including Tom, have to-date managed to raise £4232... and An amazing feat no one can deny, especially as still counting. the idea for raising a bit of money was a last minute one! Millicent Greenwood, Year 13.

At Wilmslow High School and particularly in the sixth form we are beyond relieved and happy that Tom has made a full recovery. If you would like to add to the boys’ sum of money for The Teenage Cancer Trust go to http://www.justgiving. com/tomlee96.

Tom Sneyd, Jake Vaughan, Tom Lee, Harry Stobart Ollie Knight and Mike Loughlin - before and after! 13

Borneo BORNEO 2013 This summer, 42 sixth form students embarked on the expedition of a lifetime to Borneo in Malaysia. However, their challenge started two years earlier, as each of them began the feat of fundraising the £3800 required to finance the adventure. After an endless stream of events including cabaret shows, beer-tastings, vintage fairs and plant sales, to name just a few, the departure date arrived.

A coach, two long-haul flights and a short hike later, they found themselves in Kota Kinabalu, the bustling capital of the country. After being immersed in the intoxicating chaos of the South East Asian markets, they were soon on their way to their first destination and this is their story…

“Our first camp was in Mantanani, a small Island off the coast of Borneo. Here, we spent a lot of our time helping to encourage the local people to find ways to recycle the huge amount of waste which washes up on the beach. This included making bracelets out of food packaging, to be sold in the village shop which we were constructing. We also organised a ‘beach clean up’ where we filled, what felt like, hundreds of bin bags with litter.

We stayed here for 10 days and got to know the locals very well after playing numerous volley ball matches, teaching in the school and taking part in a very memorable football match. We also all managed to complete our PADI award in scuba diving. In crystal clear waters, we saw lots of star fish, sea cucumbers and some of us were lucky enough to see a turtle. paint and countless bricks, the centre was almost We then moved to Tinagol, where we worked completed when we left, and it was wonderful to on constructing a kindergarten for the village see how far it had come already since we arrived. children. It was a very tiring day, but incredibly We also learned to weave and spent days at the worthwhile as we saw the progress that we had school, teaching the local children. made after just a few hours. Some of our group exhausted themselves by digging a whole eight The final part of the trip was spent in the jungle, feet deep in one afternoon. Despite blisters, aching setting up our hammocks in the pitch black and and being boiling hot, we wished we could have torrential rain set the tone of the stay; stayed longer to see the building it was certainly a challenge. We soon completed! “....being in the jungle was became used to leeches, scorpions and spiders, but not having a shower After yet another bus journey, we a challenge, or toilet, and often no dry clothes, took arrived at Camp Bonkud, where we and a bonding its toll. During our 3 nights there, we worked on the construction of the experience” planted trees as part of a reforestation local community centre. Having programme, used machetes to get rid gone through many bags of cement, lots of white

14

Borneo

of overgrowth which threatened deforested for Palm Oil plantations resulting in the the trees’ survival and painted species now being at risk of complete extinction. a local school. By the end of Staff working at the sanctuary look after baby each day, we were shattered monkeys that can’t fend for themselves and teach and most of us headed to them survival skills like tree climbing before releasing our hammocks straight after them back into the wild when they’re old enough. tea! Being in the jungle was a Prior to the expedition, we had sponsored three challenge, but it certainly was a orang-utans and were able to find out about their bonding opportunity and we are progress. One of them, a female called Bella, very glad we experienced living has made such great progress that she’ll soon be in such a different returned to the forest, leaving her environment and “....working with home in the sanctuary. saw the most communities amazing wildlife. in these less As our experience drew to a close, developed areas we were able to reflect upon what We were also reminded us to be we had learnt. We’d made great involved in grateful for what friends and worked hard but, more completing one of two community we have” than this, by taking us completely building projects: building a shop and outside of our comfort zones, the constructing public toilets. The shop (constructed expedition had certainly taught us teamwork, out of up-cycled plastic bottles) would be leadership skills and had boosted our confidence. somewhere to sell gifts, such as bracelets, bags and The journey to Malaysia encouraged us to travel hammocks made by the local population using and appreciate the incredible places, people and rubbish collected on the beach. In a ceremony at cultures there are in the world. Our conservation the end of our stay on Mantatani we were each work also served to educate us how fragile the presented with one of these bracelets, made by our planet’s ecosystems are, and made us realise we camp staff. This was particularly touching, as each all have a duty to look after our wildlife for the one would have taken hours to make. next generation. Finally, working with communities in these less developed areas reminded us to Our last destination was the Sepilok Orang-utan be grateful for what we have, as well as the Sanctuary, where orphaned orang-utans are huge rewards that come with helping those less rehabilitated. Orang-utan populations have been in privileged than ourselves. It was an experience we decline for many years due to their habitats being will all remember forever.”

15 Arts X-tra

‘Fast Exit’are WGT winners!

Thursday 3rd October 2013 was the grand final of ‘Wilmslow’s Got Talent’.

Over 40 fantastic acts auditioned for the competition and were whittled down to 10 finalists who had to perform for a 300 strong audience.

The finalists were, ‘CH’ - magic (Bradley Hart and Tom Carver), ‘Illusion’ - dancing (Shannon Etheridge and Ellie Anderson), ‘Die Fantastischen Vier’ - singing and dancing in German (Sophie Lawlor, Max Breitwieser, Conor Smith and Billy Senior), Drew Selby - guitar and singing, ‘Harmonised’ - harmony group (Ellen Bradley, Lara Oliver, Niamh Phelan, Anna Mulroy, Chloe Taylor, Katie O’Neill and Rachel Mulroy), ‘Jaded’- band (Will

Success for first Local bands ‘Live Lounge’ event battle it out! Students from Academy, and Wilmslow On Thursday 28th November, High School performed at the the music team hosted the annual KPW ‘Battle of the Bands’ first ever ‘Live Lounge’ event competition on Tuesday 12th at the High School. November.

It was an informal evening Two bands from each school of acoustic sets from students competed in the junior and senior from Year 9 and above. divisions, performing an eclectic mix of music from original material Former students Liam to covers by the Arctic Monkeys, McClair and Danny the Killers to Janis Joplin and Chuck McCabe also Berry. performed, as did Miss Howell, The winning bands were both Mr Tatlock, Mr from winning Fredericks and £45 worth of iTunes vouchers and Mr Daniels a tour around XFM’s studio in creating a lovely Manchester. The judges, Peter Hook, atmosphere. Sadie Pickering and Lea Mullen, all All profits raised professional musicians themselves, (£150) were were very complimentary about donated to the the talent on show and provided Phillipines Typoon students with some constructive Appeal. feedback.

16 Arts X-tra

Sharland, Ben Bowker and Rory Savin), ’Us Guys’- singing (Olivia French, Max Lumsdon, Amelia McDonald and Ella Sankey), and Louis Healey - singing.

The runner up was Ella Tew who played the piano and sang a song she wrote herself with the overall winner being ‘Fast Exit’ (Niklas Edler, Joe Saks, James Darroch, Ollie Appleby and Jack Bicknall) who performed a brilliant cover of ‘She Said’ by ‘Plan B’.

The audience were also treated to extra performances from Morgan Wild and last year’s winner Harrison Hirst.

Well done to all who Runner-up, Ella Tew, played and sang auditioned and a song she had written herself. performed.

New art loan scheme offers future benefits to art students

This term the art team have launched the ‘art loan scheme’ where local businesses have the opportunity to loan framed quality prints for a nominal fee. The work has been produced by former sixth form students and demonstrates a very sophisticated level of skill.

The money received will go to part fund a range of workshops and art visits for the current art students, ensuring that they are benefitting from the legacy of their peers. If you would like more information about this scheme, please contact Mr Hayley on, [email protected] Memories of Paris 2013

On Monday 16th of September the music team hosted a concert to celebrate the success of the 2013 music tour to Paris.

The tour was a collaboration between the choirs and concert bands from Wilmslow High School and Marple Hall School. The students entertained the audience with a variety of music that they had previously performed in Paris in July.

It was an opportunity to relive the exciting visit with a montage of photos being displayed as the students performed. The evening was a huge success and a great way for students to meet again and involve their families and friends.

17 Sports news

Rugby

There have been a mixed set of rugby results so far this season.

The first weekend of rugby looked promising with 4 wins from 6 against Merchant Taylor’s School. We were knocked back to reality when a very professional set of teams from Sedbergh ran out U15s beat St Anselm’s College 32 - 5 convincing winners; this was opmental year. The 2nd XV defence in the last minutes of a great experience and is a are making progress each the game. fixture we hope to play each week thanks to the hard work year. and effort from coach Dave The U14s are improving from Parker. one week to the next, recently Unfortunately the 1st XV team beating Bishop Heber and came second best in the 3rd The U15s beat St Anselm’s in Lancaster Grammar school. round of the Natwest Cup vs the 5th round of the Natwest The pick of all age groups are Stockport (27-17), but have Cup (32 – 5) following a very the U13s: the A team have now qualified for the Natwest close encounter with Bishop won 10 out of 12 fixtures to Vase. The senior coaches are Heber in the fourth round, date under coaches Mr Duffy confident the Wilmslow boys who could not manage to and Mr Davies. can reach the later stages of break the resilient Wilmslow the competition in this devel-

Girls’ football

The U13 team are currently unbeaten in the Macclesfield 7-a-side league and beat Sir Stanley Matthews Ormiston Academy, Stoke, in the first round of the ESFA Cup. Notable performances came from Isobel Andrews, Mehek Shah, Rebecca Webb and Annabel Rowland.

The U14 team beat Madeley High School and Birchwood High in the opening rounds of the ESFA Cup, before losing out in an extra time thriller to Ormskirk High.

The U18s made the short trip to All Hallows for their first fixture in the ESFA Cup; it was an extremely close encounter, with strong performances from Elle Bracegirdle and Iona Darroch, which was eventually decided on penalties. In the following round they played against Lymm at home where they won 6-2, with Millie Turner fantastic individual goals by Millie Turner and outstanding work rate by Mollie Williams.

They were then drawn against the current cup holders Balby Carr in the following round, but despite some great individual performances by Iona Darroch and Beth Scholey, they were beaten 6-2, with the score line sadly not reflecting the team’s impressive performance.

18 Sports news Boys’ football

The senior football team have shown that they have the determination and attitude to succeed

Junior football teams at (4-2). They now play St Bedes to St. Ambrose and King’s Wilmslow High School have in round 4. Chester; the boys will feel started the first term in style, aggrieved that chances were progressing well in the English Our Year 11s negotiated their not taken even though the Schools National Association way past a strong Failsworth performance deserved a Cup in all year groups. team (2-1), beating Turton better result. High School (3-1) before Our Year 10s have started being beaten in round 3 We were drawn against brilliantly, scoring 16 and against Sir Thomas Boughey Archbishop Beck in round conceding 0 goals in their (2-1). 3, National Champions in opening three games 2011, and unfortunately against East Manchester (7-0) The senior football players Wilmslow lost out 1-0 in a Failsworth (3-0) & Clitheroe have shown a fantastic very tight game where the Royal Grammar School (6-0). work ethic and commitment opportunities to capitalise on attending pre-season training chances went missing. The The Year 9s have progressed dates throughout the summer 1st XI have also progressed to round 6 after beating holiday as well as morning to round 3 of the Cheshire Charlton High School (4 -1) sessions in preparation for Cup where they will face All away after wins against the long season ahead. The Hallows for a quarter final Audenshaw (6-3), Priestnall results to date have been place to be played in the (1-0), Witton Park (1-0) and inconsistent for both the New Year. Congratulations Bolton school (6-3). 1st and 2nd XI teams with go to Laurence Taylor, Jacob some outstanding team Turner and Luke Butterworth The Year 8s were involved in performances against the who have being selected to a goal fest at home against likes of Thornleigh School represent Cheshire County in Haslindgen eventually and Altrincham Grammar the inter-county competitions. winning 7-6 before beating School for Boys, mixed in Salendine Nook Academy with some narrow losses

19 Sports news

Netball

The netball season has seen some mixed results thus far, especially for the senior teams.

Going strong in the league, all teams from U12 to U19 have enjoyed convincing wins over local schools in the Macclesfield and District area. Impressive victories for seven teams from U13 to U19 against Stockport Grammar, and again for U14 to U19 against Altrincham Grammar have demonstrated the strength of our squads.

However, in the county round of the National Schools tournament held on Saturday 23rd November, the U14s, U16s and U19s were all eliminated. Despite playing some good netball, our performances were too inconsistent and we lost out as a result. The seniors were severely hampered by the absence of Georgie Webster and Iona Darroch who were at an training camp but it was still bitterly disappointing not to go through.

However, with a high number of girls at training, especially in Years 7 to 9, it has been particularly pleasing that almost every girl has had the opportunity to represent the school, with more opportunities to come in future games.

Highlights to look forward to in the next half of the season include the County tournaments for all age groups and the National Sports College tournaments.

Badminton

During the second half of this term, teams from Wilmslow High School competed in the Centre Parcs National Schools’ Competition; Badminton England’s major event for schools.

Our U16 boys team, Sam Atherton, Matt Kingston, Aadil Deen, Matt Lee and Liam Ford were successful in beating Fallibroome, Poynton and Tytherington to become the District Champions. They now move onto the county round in February at the University of Chester Academy, Northwich.

The U14 boys team, Finley Aitken, Greg Ralley, Jordan Holland, Harry Craven and Ben O’Grady all Year 8 (see photo) represented Wilmslow High School in the Key Stage 3 competition. Playing against teams who were in Year 9 and therefore physically stronger and larger, they rose to the challenge. They had a tough competition with many of the games going the distance 15-14, 15-13. Their determination and resolve to stay focussed in a highly competitive situation demonstrated a mental toughness beyond their years and this resulted in success.

They also were unbeaten and became District Champions and now go onto the county round in January in Northwich.

20 Sports news

U12A team - 5 straight wins!

Boys’ hockey Girls’ hockey Boys’ hockey has gone from strength to strength The U16 squad have progressed to this academic year. There are now regularly 50+ both the Cheshire Indoor and Cheshire students training in their respective squads every Outdoor finals to be held in the New Friday after school. Year as a result of their excellent performances in the qualifying The quality of the opposition is extremely high competitions. this year with competitive fixtures against schools such as Cheadle Hulme, King’s Chester, King’s In the indoor competition, the Macclesfield, Bolton School, AGSB and MGS. U16s drew with Bishop Heber and Fallibroome and recorded convincing The U14 team had three close games to start wins over both Grange Hartford and the season with a solid win against MGS and two Lymm. In the Outdoor competition, narrow losses to Cheadle and King’s Macclesfield. the girls drew with King’s Macclesfield before beating Grange Hartford and The U12 B team are showing real development and Birkenhead. progression with all of the students taking up the sport for the first time in September.

However, the team of the season so far has to be the U12A team. The team has recorded 5 straight wins against first class opposition scoring 46 goals and are yet to concede a goal.

A big thank you goes to Rachel Stoner (Year 11) and Saskia Swatland (Year 11) who have supported every Friday training session, to Mr D Jones and Amy Tennant (England/GB U21 goalkeeper) for specialised goalkeeper coaching and to both Miss Hatch and Miss Humphreys for the support they provide in coaching the teams.

Congratulations go to Simon Swatland, Tom Stoner, Cameron Armstrong, Tom Jefferies and Elliot Webb who have all being selected for the county squads. 21 Visits and events

Roaming in Rome

On Friday 18th October, a group of Year 10 and Year 11 students departed from Manchester Airport on a religious studies visit to the world capital of Christianity, the Vatican City.

Students spent the first day touring Rome and visiting some of the ancient architecture, including arches and crumbling pillars, all that remain of once giant structures. The second day was spent visiting the Vatican, which the students found breathtaking in its scale and beauty and also the Sistine Chapel, the largest church in the world.

This visit, although primarily focused on religious studies, also contributed to other areas of the curriculum, including Italian history with a visit to the Coliseum and the opportunity to see many ancient Roman artefacts. Those students studying textiles and art found the visit to the Vatican fascinating when they saw the Sistine Chapel. Maths skills were put to good use when converting Euros in to pounds sterling and vice versa and photography students found the city and its architecture inspiring.

This two day visit will be available for current Year 9 and Year 10 students next year. For further information,please speak to Miss Rajah.

Pitch perfect in Paris

Over 100 of our students were on tour in and around Paris earlier this year as part of a full scale music tour to France. The visit was a joint venture alongside the students of Marple Hall Language College in Stockport and together we formed a 40 strong concert orchestra, a cool swing band and a massive choir of 100 students.

During the visit we had the opportunity to perform at The Eiffel Tower (Champs de Mars), Square Jean XXIII (the gardens of Notre Dame Cathedral) and the most exciting of all, Disneyland!

Wilmslow High Junior Voices Choir had to audition to perform on the Disneyland stage as part of their ‘Magic Music Days’ and so rehearsed tirelessly for weeks before submitting a recorded performance to the judges. The students were so excited to be told that they had been successful, although Mr Bramhall, who led the tour, had been quietly confident.

In addition to our busy musical itinerary, the group also visited some of the most popular landmarks in Paris. They took a sightseeing tour around Montmartre and the Sacré-Cœur area

22 Visits and events Mathematical success for sixth form

Congratulations to the Year 12 and 13 mathematics students who took part in the recent Senior Maths Challenge.

Performance was particularly strong this year with 5 students achieving gold awards, 9 achieving silver awards and 6 achieving bronze awards. Following on from these results 3 of our students qualified for further competitions.

Jordan Hough qualified for the Senior Maths Kangaroo which is open to the Year 10 ‘on safari’ top 3000 students in the country based on their Senior Maths Challenge score. Mrs White accompanied Year 10 photography Nickolay Smirnov and Max Parker students on an exciting journey around both qualified for the first round of Manchester to capture a vast range of images for the British Mathematical Olympiad, their current coursework project ‘Street Safari’. which is a very prestigious competition open to the highest performing 1000 Previously unexplored areas of the city were students in the country. It is the first visited. Cameras were tilted at different angles, occasion in the last ten years that we close-up and distance were explored in order to have had qualifiers for this competition document a multitude of source material such from Wilmslow High School so as architectural elements, street art, objects and congratulations to both students and shop signs to name a few. very good luck!

and ate lunch in the gardens of the Eiffel Tower before climbing to the top! We dined out at Chez Gigi, a very large popular Parisian restaurant and took a leisurely Bateaux Mouches Boat Trip along the River Seine. We visited Notre Dame Cathedral, the Champs-Élysées and the Arc de Triomphe; and enjoyed a fabulous day out on the fast and furious rides and attractions that Disneyland had to offer before watching the most extravagant fireworks and laser display we had ever seen!

It truly was an amazing visit and everyone had such a fantastic time. It was particularly nice to see the students of both schools making such good friendships and sharing their passion for music, singing and the joy of performing. Mr Bramhall

23 Visits and events

Chocolate mice surprise the dragons!

Year 10 business students are never short of ideas for enterprise – the cheesier the better it seems! The ‘Cheeky Chocolatiers’ won our classroom competition, presenting their ‘chocolate mice with a cheeky joke in every pack’ to our local (and slightly more tame) ‘dragons’ on Open Evening and headed off to Manchester Airport on October 12th to face a much scarier den.

Their product idea and presentation must have impressed the ‘dragons’, as the students were given the full £100 start-up capital. Since then, the team have been super-busy, ordering moulds and gift bags, negotiating the purchase of their raw materials at the lowest possible cost (and sometimes free), booking sales opportunities and organising their production. Hundreds of chocolate mice, in various colours, have come off their production line and been carefully packaged.

With Adam Leigh in charge of marketing, many mice are making their way into Christmas stockings and onto Christmas dinner tables around the locality. Production Manager, Ruby Nelson states, “It has not been easy. We never anticipated the challenges of meeting production deadlines, quality standards, producing large enough quantities to fulfil demand and working with a product with limited shelf life. We have learned so much about business!” Nathan Forrest is keeping a careful eye Dare to be ‘Different’ on the finance,“So far we have raised almost £700 for the East Cheshire Hospice, but with In November the lower school drama still two weeks to go, we are hoping to at least club were delighted to be given the double that.” opportunity to perform their devised The business and enterprise team would like to piece ‘Different’ during a week of House thank the local businesses who have helped the assemblies. The piece highlighted the Cheeky Chocolatiers in this project. importance of inclusion and promoted a powerful, positive message about the importance of celebrating diversity and having self-confidence. Well done to all Visit for Year 7 Book Club of the Year 7 and 8 students involved!

In October, the Year 7 Book Club took an exciting visit to the Education Library Service in Winsford. The aim of the visit was to participate in the announcement of the books that were shortlisted for this year’s Cheshire schools’ Book Awards. Whilst on the visit, our students had the opportunity to meet author David Massey, an experience they found very exciting; David was extremely impressed with their enthusiasm.

The students will now read each of the seven nominated books and vote on their favourite. All students, staff and parents are welcome to join in - please visit the LRC for details.

24 Visits and events

Bar Mock Trial success

On the 16th November, a group of eager, but nervous sixth form students arrived at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court to participate in the national Bar Mock Trial competition, where schools from all over the country fight legal battles and are judged on their performances by senior judges.

Two cases were prepared meticulously: R v War Horse at the Lowry Howells was about an assault on a bouncer On Tuesday 26th November the history team outside a nightclub. However, the defendant took a group of students to the Lowry Theatre insisted she did no such thing, and claimed the to watch War Horse. It was a captivating bouncer had hit her instead! Unfortunately the production based on the novel by Michael CCTV wasn’t working; someone had to be lying. Morphurgo.

In R v Run, a fare evasion officer spotted Mr Logan The moving production is set around the story of a young horse brought up on a farm in Run sneak out and buy a ticket for his friend. the years before the First World War, and the However, he didn’t buy the correct ticket. Was he developing relationship with its owner. The really trying to ‘short change’ Transport for London, play looks at the futility of war and the strong or did he only get the wrong ticket because he bond between a man and his horse. couldn’t get the right one? The performance was humourous, yet tear jerking, leaving very few of us with dry eyes at Our barristers were Ed Christian-Hare, Lucy the end. Chalmers-Morris, Hugh Richards, Lucy College, Jessica Martin and Millie Greenwood. Our witnesses were Emily Tracey, Lucy College, Millie Geography visit to Greenwood, James Milbourne and Fergus Taylor. Castleton We won all the trials in our league and scored highly enough to get through to the final where On the 18th November, Year 10 geography we were against Hutton C of E Grammar School. students went on a visit to Castleton in the Peak Kensey Tucker and I had stiff competition from District to collect data for their GCSE controlled their barristers, but our witnesses, Dave Sheard assessment next year. (nice, responsible, upstanding citizen) and Millie Greenwood (hilarious cockney sparrow with The students took field sketches and filled in many attitude) were highly entertaining and convincing. surveys about the sustainability of tourism in the area. They were also caught having the odd On winning, the judge complimented us on snack at Castleton’s own American style diner! our succinct and to-the-point approach in identifying and scrutinising the important issues. In our opinion, the visit was a resounding success. She commented that Millie derserved an Oscar It was fun, but it also enriched our knowledge and described Ed Christian-Hare’s speech as first hand, and allowed us to apply what we had ‘excellent’. It was a fantastic, nerve-wracking day, learnt in the classroom at a practical level. and we cannot wait to go to Cardiff in March and Nathan Forrest, N10MD and Robert Brodie, T10LG. compete at national level against the best teams in the country. Charlotte McGing 25 Visits and events

Munich 2013

In the last week of the summer term, 40 Year 10 students and 5 members of staff visited Munich in order to develop their German skills. While we enjoyed the sunshine and took advantage of this time to see many of the local sights, including Neuschwanstein Castle, students principally focused on developing their confidence in spoken German. This included preparing and then asking a range of questions to local people, in order to learn more about the city.

Nice 2013

At the end of the summer term a group of Year 10 GCSE French students were lucky enough to complete a cultural visit to the South of France. As well as completing Practising laguage skills by ordering food in German speaking tasks and work booklets, the group also visited Antibes and Monaco in the heart of the French Riviera… at the height of the heat wave! C’était merveilleux! Sports Awards Evening provided first-hand evidence of the impact sport Our fourth annual Sports Awards Evening has made at the High School. promised to be a spectacular event and it was everything we had hoped. The ‘Power of Sport’ Congratulations to all of our award winners and theme allowed us to celebrate all that is good in particular to the following: about PE and school sport at the High School. Senior netball team - Team of the Year With over 160 award winners and 300 guests the Serren Bundy Davies - Susan Hool Award evening hosted by Mrs Dunn and Mr Williams, Dominic Rogers - Coach of the Year Award was a true celebration of the outstanding James Drummond - Sports Personality of the Year opportunities provided for students at Wilmslow High School and the success achieved locally Thank you to WRG Ltd for their incredible support and nationally by individuals and teams across a in helping us wide range of sporting activities. produce such James Drummond -

a slick and Sports Personality of the Year Highlights of the evening included ‘Team professional Fox’ and ‘Team Leggett’ competing in three evening of rounds of a ‘Question of Sport’, a presentation entertainment. from the Premiership assistant referee, Trevor We look forward Massey, a gymnastics display from Haruka to next year’s Okishio and Georgia Brown and a dance Commonwealth performance from Frances Nugent Kelly. A Games themed ‘year in pictures’ and the ‘WHS power of sport’ evening. DVD both professionally produced, were a wonderful synopsis of the previous year’s events and successes. The interviews with our senior tennis team and gifted and talented performers

26 Visits and events

poison gas. However, perhaps most harrowing A visit to of all, was Langemark Cemetery, one of only four German cemeteries in the region. Here there are about 45,000 names commemorated, remember... 25,000 in a mass grave. In comparison, we also visited the largest British cemetery in the world, Tyne Cot, which has just over 11,000 buried there, In the October half term break, 100 Year 10 but is much larger than Langemark. This helped history students and 10 staff embarked on a 10 students understand that although Germans hour coach trip and a channel crossing in order were percieved as the enemy in World War I, they to discover what life was really like for those suffered just as much as the Allies. courageous soldiers who faced the trenches in World War I. Next year marks the centenary of the outbreak of World War I and Wilmslow High School is planning a On the first day, students visited the Albert Trench community event to commemorate this important Museum, situated in a network of tunnels under the anniversary. Can you help? If you would like to Albert Cathedral and the Ulster Tower, erected to get involved or if you have any artefacts to share, commemorate one of the few successful regiments please get in touch with the history team. to ‘break through’ on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. The visit to Newfoundland Park, where some of the heaviest casualties were incurred on the first day of the Battle of the Somme provided a very sombre atmosphere and a time for quiet reflection as students walked around the park. Also on the itinerary was the Lochnagar Crater, measuring 90ft in depth and 130ft wide, made when a mine exploded in no-mans land on the first day of the Battle of the Somme. Finally, students performed their own ceremony of remembrance at the Thiepval Memorial where over 73,000 soldiers are remembered on this one memorial; a very solemn site.

Day two was spent visiting the Flanders Fields Museum in the Ypres Cloth Hall, Essex Farm Cemetery, where John McCrae’s ‘In Flanders’ Fields’ the poem was written and ‘Vancouver Corner’ which commemorates the first use of

This is the grave of Valentine Joe Strudwick; underage but desperate to fight in the war, he died aged just 15 years old. His grave is at Essex Farm Cemetery, Ypres

27 Visits and events

Michael Browne inspires art students

On Tuesday 5th and Wednesday 6th November, artist Michael Browne visited the school to host a two-day workshop with a group of thirty Year 12 and Year 13 students, giving them the opportunity to learn some new oil painting skills. Michael was brought up in Moss Side, Manchester and is the creator of ‘The Art of The Game’ which depicts Eric Cantona as great; I’ve really loved it. Michael is obviously Jesus Christ with the Neville brothers, Butt, Scholes very talented. He is a giant in the world of art so it and Beckham as his apostles. The painting was has been a great opportunity to see how such a purchased by Cantona and is currently on display famous artist makes up these amazing pictures. It at Manchester’s National Football Museum, having is something to aspire to and he has given us all been loaned by the Cantona family. individual help and feedback.”

Students were firstly introduced to Michael’s style Michael had flown in from Milan to spend time at and practice in a two-hour lecture, during which he the High School, where he is working on an anti- went through his work in chronological order. They racism project featuring Mario Balotelli. He brought then took part in a practical his latest work with him to show the workshop under the guidance “I’m so proud of students. It is based upon ‘Supper at of Michael and completed them, they have Emmaus’ by Caravaggio and features a canvas demonstrating world famous boxers in a humble setting. technique and skill in oils, which far exceeded my

many of them were using for expectations and it’s Speaking about the students’ work, the first time. fantastic” Michael said, “I like the freshness of their

ideas. Everyone is really keen. People This was a once in a lifetime are getting to use their own inspirations and interests opportunity for our students to gain first hand and see things in their way. It’s all about how to tutelage from a contemporary master of oil paints. put ideas together and for young artists to focus on Michael challenged our students’ perception what interests them in their own lives and use it as a of celebrity image and helped them to create reason to paint. In the end it is not about illustration, a symbolic reference to traditional European it’s about painting what they like about the subject paintings, similar to his own practice. Year 13 or what they are inspired to communicate.” student Luc Wilkinson commented, “It has been

28 Visits and events

Sports Day 2013

It was a spectacular event: hot sunny weather, ice creams, refreshments and some top quality athletic performances made it a day to remember.

Reigning champions Norcliffe held a narrow lead after Winners ...... again! Well done Norcliffe! the previous day’s field events, with Bollin a close second, Harefield in third and Thorngrove fourth. There were Auschwitz revisited some extremely competitive races on the track across all On Thursday 10th October, Anna Bett, Kirsty Mossman and I visited year groups with each House Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp in Poland as part of the claiming first place finishes in a ‘Learning From Auschwitch’ programme. Despite a previous seminar, number of events. group workshops and a talk from Holocaust survivor, Ziggy Schipper, nothing could quite prepare us for the experience which lay ahead. However, in the end Norcliffe proved too strong overall for the Led by our guide, we walked the streets of Auschwitz 1. Passing under other Houses and claimed their the infamous black gates with “Arbeit Macht Frei” above us, we third successive Sports Day win. headed towards what was named the ‘Killing Yard’. A shrine lay in Harefield, performing well in the front of the killing wall and to the side were two torture poles. Some track events, leapfrogged Bollin of the living quarters, or blocks, had been turned into a museum to claim second place overall and it was here that we saw the shoes, glasses, suitcases and other with Thorgrove fourth. belongings of those who had perished. Enthusiastic spectators, staff and Auschwitz-Birkenau was as raw and untouched as Auschwitz 1 was students alike were treated to clinical. The purpose built extermination camp with the railway line a fantastic day of competition running through the entrance was instantly recognisable. Seeing the and will no doubt be looking cramped, squalid conditions that prisoners had to endure was almost forward to next year! incomprehensible.

We walked the same journey to the gas chambers as hundreds of thousands of others before us and grave stones marked the places where innocent people were murdered.

As dusk fell, Rabbi Marcus led a ceremony of remembrance beside gas chamber 3. Regardless of religious belief, his powerful words spoke to everyone. Perhaps most pertinent: “People ask, during the Holocaust ‘where was God?’ I ask, not where THEN NOW was God, but where was man?”

Miss Nolan

29 Charity news

Students working hard to make a difference

Students from all year groups work tirelessly to raise money for many different charities and during the last school year over £8300 was raised for a number of good causes locally, nationally and internationally including the following;

■ British Heart Foundation ■ Children in Need ■ East Cheshire Hospice ■ Make A Wish Foundation ■ Movember ■ Teenage Cancer Trust ■ Guide Dogs ■ Parkinson’s UK ■ Seashell Trust ■ Kieron’s Cause ■ Wilmslow Animal Sanctuary ■ Comic Relief ■ Kiberia In Need ■ NDCS (Deaf Awareness Week) ■ Marie Curie Cancer Care ■ Ugandan School and Orphanage.

All the Harefield tutor groups recently held a Christmas mini market and raised over £750 to be divided between Clic Sargent and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital. The event was co-ordinated by Hannah Lee in H9AM and Miss Gregory; they will be visiting the hospitals before Christmas to take presents to the young patients.

So far this school year over £3500 has been raised, including money from the Children in Need non-uniform day which was led by the School Council. Proceeds from the “Live Lounge” are being sent to the Disasters Emergency Committee for their efforts to support the people of the Philippines following the typhoon.

Mr Vincent and Mrs Brander are happy to receive charity event request forms from students (and staff) wanting to support those less fortunate than ourselves. The forms are available from the Student Services Office.

30 Charity news

Children in Need

Children in Need is the BBC’s UK charity, which aims to improve the lives of disabled, struggling or disadvantaged children across the country. Overall, this year’s Children in Need raised a staggering £31,124,896 of which Wilmslow High School contributed a massive £2,353.

Activities at the High School, co-ordinated by Mrs Brander, saw students taking advantage of a non-uniform day, paying £1 to come in to school wearing their own clothes instead of their usual blazers and ties. Also, throughout the day, staff and students were given the opportunity to buy Children in Need wristbands and badges; it was fantastic to see so many people across the school wearing these as a public symbol of their support for this worthy cause.

Many of our students were also involved in organising a cake sale at break and lunch time (with all the items on sale being hand- made by members of the school community), whilst a number of staff took part in ‘Wilmslow Staff’s Got Talent’.

For the small fee of 20p, students witnessed four members of the MFL team, dressed as ABBA, perform the legendary song ‘Mamma Mia’ to a packed hall. With this unique dance routine still fresh in students’ minds, the PE team then went on to take skipping to another level, by performing a series of challenging stunts over a jump rope, and Mr Tatlock and Miss Howell performed a high quality duet.

Overall, it was an incredibly successful and enjoyable day which raised a lot of money for a very worthwhile charity.

The ‘Food Friend’ project

Students at Wilmslow High School came together to help gather donations for the Wilmslow food bank project, ‘Food Friend Organisation’ in Octo- ber. The donations made by the students will contribute towards this very worthy cause, helping those in desperate need in the local areas. The need for organisations like this has increased dramatically across the UKs with the demand for specific food banks increasing by around 15%.

Revd. Magdalen Smith with Wilmslow Parish Church began ‘Food Friend’ in June 2011. The project is run by volunteers and food is collected by parishioners and others in the community. It liaises with other community organisations and representatives to identify those people most in need. Thanks to a grant from the Town Council, the project will open more often from Janu- ary, with on-going facilities available in the newly refurbished church building as well. This will include a listening service and weekly advice from the Citizens Advice Bureau. 31 High Community & Leisure

Wilmslow High School’s fitness suite ‘Community membership offer’

Located within the grounds of Wilmslow High School in the Pavilion building, we have a new facility that will provide an exciting membership opportunity for students, their families and the wider community.

The fitness suite, which will be officially opened for community membership in January 2014, contains state of the art resistance and cardiovascular equipment supplied by Life Fitness, including weights, benches, exercise bikes, treadmills, X-trainers and rowing machines.

Visit the school website to find out about our junior, adult and family membership packages which will be available to all Wilmslow High School students and their families. The fitness suite can also be hired exclusively for individuals and groups of up to 15 people at selected times.

If you would like more information, please contact Paul McManus on: [email protected] 01625 441053 or visit the school website: wilmslowhigh.com/community/fitness suite

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