Hallfold, Whitworth, Newsletter Lancashire, OL12 8TS Tel (01706) 343218 Summer Term Issue 16 www.wchs.co Friday 1st July 2016

Ambassadors backed by at Whitworth Community High School Students have been trained to become Anti-Bullying Ambassadors as part of a scheme in memory of Diana, Princess of Wales. The last engagement for the retiring Mayor of Whitworth Councillor Lynda Barnes was to present Whitworth Community High School with a cheque for £200 to help towards the cost of sending the first nine ambassadors for training in Manchester on June 16. She told the students: “Without you, Whitworth has no future.” Councillor Barnes urged them to continue to be involved in their community, praised the school for being ‘amazing’ and described the achievements of the students and Headteacher Gill Middlemas as ‘inspirational’. The idea for the ambassadors came from 14-year-old Katie Bray who suggested it to Assistant Headteacher Paul Dugdale. She said: “I can remember when I started in Year 7, walking up the drive, which seemed an incredibly long way. and, even though our school is quite small, it felt quite intimidating. “However, I soon made friends and one was Amber Bramley and we are still friends”. Two students from Years 7, 8 and 10 and three from Year 9 will be the core ambassadors. They will use the knowledge they acquire to train other ambassadors at Whitworth and, on Councillor Barnes’ suggestion, possibly at primary schools within the Whitworth Cluster. Mr Dugdale said it has been a difficult job selecting the ambassadors because the letters of application had been of a veryhigh standard. Shortly after joining the students for the coffee morning, Councillor Barnes was handing the chain of office to new Mayor Councillor Madeline de Souza. The Diana, Princess of Wales, Memorial Fund arranges training for Anti-Bullying Ambassadors when students explore a range of exercises to examine the issues around bullying and find out ways in which they can support others.

Councillor Lynda Barnes handing over her cheque to the school’s Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. Councillor Madeline De Souza with Melanie Hearn, New Mayor’s pride at school tour Mrs Towers and Mrs Middlemas. The new Mayor of Whitworth Councillor Madeline De Souza, accompanied by the Town Clerk Melanie Hearn, visited the school recently and was greeted by Headteacher Gill Middlemas, Chairman of Governors Lila Towers and Vice-Chairman Christine Wright before touring the school. Councillor De Souza then joined students, who had made an outstanding contribution to the school, for a reward coffee morning. She said: “I had been to the school sports hall as part of Whitworth Sports Festival but never to the main school. “The feeling that the school has is so lovely; it is calm and welcoming. That also came through when I talked to the staff and students; it is lovely. I am so proud to have been invited to come. Being the Mayor is just the best job.” The Mayor was also be invited to speak and present awards at the school’s awards evening at Rochdale Town Hall on June 29th. Mrs Middlemas said: “It was a great pleasure to show the Mayor around our fantastic school and we are looking forward to welcoming her to our awards evening at Rochdale Town Hall. It’s very important that our students see the important role the Mayor has in Whitworth, that they share her enthusiasm and civic pride, and realise they too can aspire to such roles in the community. ”

Climbing higher! School Website : www.wchs.co

Hallfold, Whitworth, Rochdale Lancashire, OL12 8TS Newsletter Tel (01706) 343218 www.wchs.co

Sporting successes outside of school

Eleanor wins gold in competition Eleanor Pratt (Y9) won her competition at the Stockport Spring 4 piece apparatus competition which also helped her club – Rochdale Olympic Gymnastics Club – to win the overall trophy for the 15th year in succession. The Year 9 student was first in the bars and vault, second in the beam and fifth on the floor, and overall came first in her age group 14 and 14 plus.

Harry beats them all in Treacle Challenge Harry Wakefield outran more than 50 competitors to win the Whitworth Sports Festival Treacle Challenge. The Year 10 student has previously competed in the Whitworth Fell Race, but he put his skills to the test on a shorter distance finishing the 440m course in 1min 3 secs. Harry won a plaque for being the fastest from Year 10 and Year 11 and a commemorative plate for being the fastest overall.

Y7 student's footballing future in safe hands Y7 student, Denika Connolly has secured a place in Manchester City’s under 14s Girls’ Team as goalkeeper even though she supports rivals Manchester United. Denika had trials for both teams and was picked for a final trial by both teams, however, at the second round at City she was awarded a place in the team. Training starts in July and Denika is looking forward to playing teams from other big clubs including and her beloved Manchester United.

Climbing higher! School Website : www.wchs.co

Hallfold, Whitworth, Rochdale Lancashire, OL12 8TS Newsletter Tel (01706) 343218 www.wchs.co

Calendar Maths High Flyers for the Summer Term

July

Y7 Y8 Y9 2016

Harry Aldred Oliver Beasley Kiaran Adshead 05.07.16 Nathan Hall Joshua Cooper Jessica Barrett Y6 Welcome Day Thomas Mason Elise Foster Sheree Bork Y6 Welcome Evening

Joshua Mertens Ryan Harrison Georgina Bride 06.07.16 Maria Quigley Jak Kelly Fionn Morrison Fire Cadets Passing Out Alicia Varnom Parade

07.07.16 Y10 Y11 Rossendale Athletics Lucas Brame Bradley Fox Attendance Challenge Sarah Colley Mia Howells 13.07.16 Thomas Kershaw Rheo Morten-Ramsay Summer Show Kira Lowe Ellie Peczernyj Holly Timmins Tiffany Russell 18.07.16 Sports Day Harry Wakefield Sam Towers 20.07.16 Anti-Bullying Ambassador Training Commendation Assemblies On Thursday 16th June, 9 of our students from a mixture of year groups travelled to Manchester Arts and Media Academy to be trained as School closes—summer Anti-Bullying Ambassadors. There were various sessions held throughout break the day that will enable the students to establish an anti-bullying group through school. The focus for the day was based on support and empathy as well as training the ambassadors on how to discuss sensitive issues with pupils who needed extra support. This will be a main theme for the next academic year.

Important school fitness suite information Public membership of the Fitness Suite will terminate from Friday 15th July and the facility will close to the public from that date. It will still of course be available to students during lessons and after school as usual. The Sports Hall and fields will remain bookable as usual during the Summer, and in the Autumn term management of these facilities for organisations outside school will be transferring away from Rossendale Leisure Trust to another company. In the interim, organisations wishing to book the Sports Hall or fields should contact Mrs Mellor and payment will be required in advance, to school.

In the next newsletter (end of year) ……. Look out for photos and details of more students who took part in the Whitworth Sports Festival as well as a whole host of photographs from the Y11 Prom and School Awards Evening at Rochdale Town Hall.

Climbing higher! School Website : www.wchs.co