Weatherhead High School WEATHER REPORT

A high performing academy providing excellence for allS Springpring TTermerm 2017

Over 120 students were involved in the The Wizard of Oz production, as cast , dancers, musicians, technical crew and front of house. There were robust performances from Year 11 Drama students, with Ruby Tuft starring as Dorothy, Olivia Ord as the Scarecrow, Jenna Harding as the Tin Man and Year 9 student, Erin Thurlow as the Lion. A strong cast together with dazzling costumes and impressive scenery helped bring this much loved musical to life.

We were delighted that over £1,600 was raised from the evening which was donated to Age UK, Wirral to support people who suffer with dementia. Chief Executive, Jamie Anderson was delighted to attend the opening night and accept the donation and talk to students about the work of AgeUK. Weatherhead at the Palace! Executive Headteacher, Mr Dyment and Duke of Edinburgh Manager, Mr Owen were delighted to attend a ceremony at St. James’ Palace to receive Weatherhead’s DofE Direct Licence certificate from the Duke of Edinburgh.

Following a private tour of the Palace, 16 students received their Gold Award from the Duke and special guest, Olympian and Mr Dyment and Mr Owen meet the Duke Wirralian, Chris Boardman. Ex-students Hannah and Rebecca Thurlow, who volunteer their time to support our DofE programme, were invited to be ushers for the day in recognition of their hard work. This once in a lifetime opportunity involved personally introducing each of our students to the Duke.

Congratulations to all the students who received their Gold award and good luck to those students completing the programme this year. To achieve the Gold Award, students:

O completed 18 months of volunteering in the local community (at local Brownie groups and charity shops) Olearnt and followed a new skill and undertook a physical activity for 12 months Ocompleted two five day expeditions in the Yorkshire Dales and around Snowdon and as always the weather was variable!

Interested in joining Weatherhead’s DofE programme? news Bronze Award is open to students in Year 9. Almost 60 students collected their Bronze awards at Silver Award is available for students in Year 10 and up. the Dof E Awards night in February. Well done to all our students who volunteered, learnt new skills and completed their expeditions (sometimes under Gold Award (for the more adventurous and committed testing conditions). students) is targeted at students aged 16 and over. Having our own licence opens up exciting opportunities for the school to plan their own Bronze Award sessions take place every Tuesday, 3.30pm - 4.30pm whilst Silver programme and expeditions. We have over 25 staff and Gold Award students meet every Monday, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. During the supporting more than 150 students who will be sessions students learn practical skills including map reading and pitching tents. completing their awards this year.

DofE award winners

2 SUCCESSES From Rio to Weatherhead North West

Sports Council meet Sam Quek Regional Champions Weatherhead’s top gymnasts competed in the regional phase of the Milano Championships. The students’ talent shone, as they gained first place in their mixed trio and girls’ routines on floor and vault, drawing gasps from the crowds as they took their place as regional champions! The students represented the North West, competing against the whole of the UK at Fenton Manner Complex Centre of Excellence, where the GB Gymnasts train. Well done Year 13 students Adam Jones and Laura Clement- Evans, Year 10 students Lauren Ayres, Sarah Clement- Evans and Emma Jones and Year 9 student Ellie Gordon who came 3rd and 14th overall in the whole country!

We were delighted to welcome local Olympian Sam Quek, who won gold in Rio as part of the Women’s Hockey team, to our 8th Sports Awards Evening. The ceremony was opened by Sports Captain, Jody Diamond and guests were treated to a performance by the Elite Gymnastics Squad. A record 100 students received recognition for their sporting achievements. Team of the Year was sponsored by local company, Helix Roofing which was won by the U15 Football squad, who have had an excellent season. After handing out the awards, Sam delivered an inspirational speech, detailing her sporting journey from her school days, to her recent Olympic triumph.

SSLT with guest speaker Jemma Guerrie

Recognising Tumbling to Gold Adam and Ellie tumbled their way to gold when they competed in the North West Tumble and Acrobatics Achievement Championships and reached their second national final Senior Awards Evening celebrated the successes and academic endeavours within 8 days! Competing in the U19s mixed pairs, of our KS4 and KS5 students. The audience enjoyed strong performances their impressive routine saw them record the second from Dance Company, musical solos on piano and trumpet and a poetry highest score of the competition. Adam also competed reading. We were delighted to welcome back ex-student Jemma Guerrie, as in the men’s tumbling, narrowly missing out on gold by guest speaker. Jemma inspired our students with her speech on working hard 0.1 points. Even taking second place, Adam secured a and her abiding message ‘do your best’, ‘be bold’, ‘be curious’. Congratulations place in the final, which both students are looking to to all our award winners. competing in.

SUCCESSES 3 FRESH PERSPECTIVES Eleven students are delighted to be displaying their artwork in the Fresh Perspectives exhibition at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. As one of only four schools on Wirral to exhibit at the event, it is a huge achievement for our students and the Art department. Congratulations to Amber Blair-Keyes, Cody Doran, Ella Griffiths, Chloe Kwok, Emma Leech, Natasha Lopez, Samantha Louloudis, Lisa Ly, Millie McGlasson, Leila Peckham and Megan Walsh - an outstanding achievement. Two students commented, “it is very exciting to see my work displayed in an established gallery like the Lady Lever.” “I am delighted to have been selected to show my work for this exhibition, it The ‘Fresh Perspectives’ exhibition runs until 30th April. Entry is something I will remember for a long is free and the gallery is open daily from 10.00am - 5.00pm. time”.

G’rowing from Strength

Eight Weatherhead students, from the Victoria Rowing Club competed in the Boston Marathon - (a gruelling 50.2 km marathon course) along the River Witham from Lincoln to Boston which they completed in an impressive 4 hours and 20 minutes. In preparation for Music Grades the marathon, the girls trained for 2-3 hours every night after school in addition to their studies and extra-curricular activities. Well done to Congratulations to the following students who Lydia Hignett, Bethan Hoggarth, Abbie Lorimer, Claire McNulty, Katie have passed their Associated Board of the Royal Mann, Grace Myers, Libby Myers and Katrina Woolley. Schools of Music exams: The girls specialise in sculling which involves rowing with two oars each, Grade 1 Lia Birt Violin like Olympic medallist Katherine Grainger. The marathon is just one of (Merit) the many events the girls take part in during the season and their hard Katie Allen Grade 1 Music Theory work and dedication clearly paid off. Our girls also won the Women’s Junior U18 Sprint Championships, at the Hollingsworth Lake Regatta and Amber Gallagher Grade 1 Music Theory the Victor Ludorum and £500 was awarded to LVRC for winning the Michaela Coleman Grade 1 Flute most events in a season. Caitlin Swanick Grade 1 Music Theory

Jessica Ngheim Grade 1 Violin What’s in the Box? Year 7 student Megan Scully was delighted to win the ‘What’s in the Box?’ competition. Students who had 100% attendance in the last five weeks of the Autumn term, were entered into a grand draw to win a large gift box containing a mini camera and other gifts. Congratulations Megan!

4 SUCCESSES NCS Champions

We are the Champions! Weatherhead has been awarded ‘Champion School Status’ by the National Citizen Service (NCS) for the second year running, which recognises schools with over 45 students graduating from the programme. This year we exceeded the threshold with 119 students graduating -the highest for any UK school. NCS run a 2-4 week personal and social development programme for 15-17 year olds during the school holidays. The programme is a chance for students to come together and achieve amazing things for themselves and the local community. Students must complete three phases:

Phase 1: Adventure - a residential trip completing outdoor activities. Phase 2: Skills - connect with their team in a university-style environment to develop life skills. Phase 3: Social Action - in their groups, students deliver their own social action project, taking full responsibility to plan activities, fundraise and make a difference to a local cause.

Elisha Tompkins, “the best part about doing NCS is that it increased my confidence”. Katie-Mae Sheard, “our social action project raised money for Clatterbridge and Freshfields. We hosted an afternoon tea and fun day at Tam O’ Shanter’s Urban Farm and raised £1,100”. Erin Heyward, “I developed lots of new skills such as teamwork, communication and my confidence grew. I now have something great to put on to my CV”.

For more information about NCS visit www.ncsyes.co.uk

You Make Me Feel Like Dancing

Well done to our Year 7 dancers who completed their Grade 1 and Year 10 and 12 dancers who completed their Grade 4 NATD Contemporary exams. Their hard work and commitment paid off with an impressive 18 distinctions, 22 merits and 1 pass! Whilst they await their results, the girls have already started working towards their Grade 3 and Grade 6 for summer entry.

SUCCESSES 5 BADMINTON Everybody Dance Now!

Congratulations to the U14 Badminton Squad for their outstanding Under 14’s performance in the first round of the National Schools’ Badminton Tournament. The girls played really well in the tournament, beating and losing a very close match against Upton Convent.

FOOTBALL ESFA PlayStation Schools’ Cup

Under 15’s

UNDER 15 Round 1 Bye Round 2 Kirby High School conceeded Round 3 Weatherhead 2 - 2 St John Bosco (penalties) Round 4 conceded Round 5 Weatherhead 5 - 1 Walney School Round 6 Sandbach High School 5 - 2 Weatherhead (last 16) Under 13’s It was a disappointing result in Round 6 despite giving everything UNDER 13 they had, they were unable to overcome a flurry of goals in the Round 1 Weatherhead 7 - 4 Maricourt High School second half. Commiserations to the girls, who made it to the last 16 out of 300 teams - their best placing to date. Round 2 Weatherhead 6 - 4 Our Lady’s Catholic High School Round 3 Weatherhead 6 - 3 St Wilfred’s CofE School UNDER 16 Round 4 Weatherhead 3 - 1 Broughton High School Round 1 Weatherhead 7 - 4 Wade Deacon High School Round 5 Weatherhead 4 - 1 Ryburn Valley Round 2 Weatherhead 8 - 0 St John Bosco Arts College Round 6 Chesterfield 3 - 2 Weatherhead (last 16) Round 3 Cowley conceeded Round 4 Lymm High School conceeded The U13s gracefully bowed out of the cup in Round 6, after suffering Round 5 5 - 4 Weatherhead (penalties) a heart-wrenching defeat in the final minute of their away game against Chesterfield High School. This was a fantastic achievement to reach the last 16 out of 413 teams, yet heart breaking, ending an impressive run of wins, from which emerged a formidable squad combining players old and new. Definitely a squad to watch next season!

UNDER 14 Round 1 Weatherhead 16 - 0 All Saints Catholic High School Round 2 conceeded Round 3 Weatherhead 3 - 0 Holy Family Catholic High School Round 4 Weatherhead 4 - 0 Round 5 Sandbach High School 4 - 2 Weatherhead Under 16’s

6 A QUESTION OF SPORT UNDER 18 NETBALL Round 1 Ormskirk 1 - 0 Weatherhead Another great season for our netballers, especially the Year 7 squad Under 18’s with a string of wins and over 100 goals scored between the five teams!

Year 7 & 8

BOY’S FOOTBALL The boys’ first game against St. Mary’s ended in an emphatic 5 - 1 win. An early goal from Connor Jackson got the ball YEAR 7 RESULTS (5 WINS) rolling, only for St. Mary’s to Weatherhead 5 - 0 Birkenhead Park equalise soon after. Connor Weatherhead 5 - 0 Birkenhead Park added two more goals to his tally (including a penalty, won 8-2 Weatherhead by Ben Carney) whilst Tom Weatherhead 2-0 Birkenhead Park (Year 8) McDowell made an audacious Weatherhead 5-4 Upton Hall shot from the left wing which flew past the keeper. A YEAR 8 RESULTS (7 WINS, 2 LOSSES) 6th Form footballers tremendous strike from Jack Weatherhead 24 - 0 Birkenhead Park Jenkins secured the win. Their Weatherhead 6 - 2 Birkenhead Park second game and rematch against St. Mary’s unfortunately saw the Weatherhead 8 - 1 Kingsway Academy boys lose 4-3 in a close game. The boys also played a friendly against Hilbre, losing 3-1. Weatherhead 3-2 Upton Hall NETBALL FESTIVAL AT WIRRAL GRAMMAR Six of One and Weatherhead 2 - 0 Whitby Weatherhead 2 - 0 Wirral Grammar B Half a Dozen of the Other Weatherhead 1 - 5 Two Under 13 Weatherhead 4 - 0 Birkenhead Park squads took part Weatherhead 1 - 3 Grammar in the first stage of Tranmere Year 9 Rovers FC’s annual 6-a-side football competition, hosted at Weatherhead. Squad A comprised Hattie Bell, Jodie Bowker, Lucy Bowker (C), Zoe Hughes, Ellie Kilbane, Anya Tranmere Squad McCready, Cody Naylor and Rosie Peckham who won two games and drew one putting them through to the final stage of the competition. Ella Astbury, Jessica Boote, Macy Farrell, Becky Reilly, Sisley Reynolds, Mya Rogan, Jessica Ross and Lucy Taylor made up YEAR 9 RESULTS (5 WINS, 4 LOSSES) the B Squad and despite two notable wins they narrowly missed Weatherhead 17 - 5 Ridgeway out on going through to the final stages. Unfortunately Weatherhead Weatherhead 7 - 11 Birkenhead School A narrowly missed out on making the final despite playing some fantastic football. Top goal scorers were Lucy Bowker and Rosie Weatherhead 6 - 4 Peckham.

A QUESTION OF SPORT 7 NETBALL FESTIVAL AT WIRRAL GRAMMAR TRAMPOLINING Weatherhead 7 - 0 Weatherhead 5 - 1 Wirral Grammar B 17 girls took part in the Regional Schools’ Trampolining Championships Weatherhead 9 - 2 Woodchurch with some excellent results. Weatherhead 0 - 9 Wirral A

U14 NOVICE CATEGORY (out of 100 competitors) Year 10 Ellie Gordon 4th Anya Wilkinson 12th YEAR 10 RESULTS (1 WIN, 3 LOSSES) Antonia Davies 13th Weatherhead 4 - 10 Woodchurch Weatherhead 3 - 8 Woodchurch U19 NOVICE CATEGORY Weatherhead 17 - 0 Kingsway Academy Jody Diamond 6th Lucy Cook 7th Weatherhead 4 - 9 Birkenhead School Holly Cook 11th WIRRAL SCHOOLS’ NETBALL TOURNAMENT Congratulations Rebecca Chittick, Holly Cook, Lucy Cook and Jody The U15 netball squad took part in the Wirral Schools’ Netball Diamond, who took third place overall in the squad competition. Tournament with two wins against Upton and Neston and three U19 INTERMEDIATE CATEGORY losses against strong teams from Wirral Grammar and Birkenhead. Amy Cheevers 4th Weatherhead 6 - 4 Upton Weatherhead 6 - 4 Neston VOLLEYBALL Weatherhead 11 - 2 Wirral Grammar A squad B squad B Weatherhead 8 - 1 Birkenhead School Weatherhead 16 - 2 Wirral Grammar A

YEAR 11 RESULTS (2 WINS) Year 15 squad Weatherhead 10 - 0 Kingsway Academy Eight pupils, from Years 8 and 9, took part in the Wirral Schools’ Weatherhead 7 - 5 Woodchurch 4-a-side Volleyball tournament at Wirral . Volleyball is a relatively new sport at Weatherhead and the girls played exceptionally well against far more experienced opposition and should be very proud of their achievements. A Squad - Jessica Boote, Jessica Ross, Chloe Sopp and Charley Summerfield. B Squad - Coral Ellis, Millie Jones, Molly Malone and Holly Wright. YEAR 12 VOLLEYBALLERS Our Year 12 volleyballers took part in the Open Age Six-a- Side Tournament at . Despite both teams playing well, they were narrowly beaten into the final by Woodchurch and Prenton. A Squad - Sammie Brew, Evie Evans, Tyra Gordon, Georgia Hepke Year 11 (captain), Leighton Speed and Callum Williams B Squad - Libby Boulger, Chloe Hunt, Tom McDowell (captain), Amy Neilson, Jack Neilson, Lewis Shirley and Georgia Wood

8 A QUESTION OF SPORT EXTRA CURRICULAR

Students are encouraged to attend at least one extra-curricular club per week and with over a hundred on offer at lunch time and after school from cookery and radio to musical theatre, football and cheerleading, there really is something for everyone! On Tuesday lunchtimes, the cookery rooms come alive with a hub of activity, when Year 7 students come together to prepare their own lunch. Using a variety of healthy ingredients, the girls get to eat their lunch together and socialise. Miss McCoy, Mrs Daly and Mrs Duffy are on hand to assist the girls each week and often organise themed lunches on special occasions including Christmas and Valentine’s Day.

Visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk/extracurricular for the Spring 2017 timetable

EXTRA CURRICULAR 9 Student Voice

School Council representatives, from Years 8 to 10, attended the Youth Voice Conference at Town Hall. The conference explored mental wellbeing through workshops, performance pieces and debate - allowing young people to influence and shape future mental health provision in Wirral. The day opened our students’ eyes to issues that affect teenagers and they all enjoyed meeting senior council staff and students from other schools. One student commented, ‘I felt like we were in Parliament, not on the Wirral!’ Thank you to Holly Bee, Leah Davies, Amy Dunderdale, Pippa Liston, Mollie Niblock, Erin Thomson, Ellie Wilson and Millie Wilson for representing school at this important event.

Teens Takeover! School Council News In December, Year 10 and 11 representatives from the School Council On a Saturday in (Jessica Rich, Olivia Moroney, Abbie Lorimer, Meg Bennett and Emily November, the Lady Lever Harding) presented the new structure of the School Council to the Art Gallery, was taken over Senior Leadership Team, the whole staff and Chair of Governors, Mrs by a team of Sixth Form Owens. The girls, who are exceptional role models for Weatherhead, students, as part of Teen showed impressive presentation skills detailing an exciting future for Takeover Day. Working the Council. alongside museum staff and volunteers, students coordinated an afternoon of fun activities including face painting, sculpting and a treasure hunt. After exploring the gallery, visitors were invited to enjoy a performance by Chamber Choir. The afternoon was a huge success and will count towards our Sixth Formers gaining their Silver Arts Award. Year 11 School Council members Peer Mentoring

Our Peer Mentoring programme continues to strengthen and grow, with 150 Year 12 and 13 students attending Peer Mentoring sessions every Friday morning between 8.00am and 9.00am. Our Year 13 mentors have shown maturity and great communication skills, guiding other students in their subjects and revision, which Year 12 have greatly benefitted from.

10 LEADERSHIP

Competitions Author Week Author Week Writing Competition Winner: Daisy Welsh 7BBU Runners Up: Marnie McDowell-Daly 7KCL, Millie Nicholls 9SPO and Millie Wilson 9AMD Drawing Competition Winner: Jessica Nghiem 8SFU Runners Up: Holly Caley 9JT, Eve Cameron 7KML and Ellie Chatten 8JWI Christmas Writing Competition Winner: Marnie McDowell-Daly 7KCL Runners Up: Abbie Ambler 8REG, Lydia Bell 10CDN, Jess Brown 10MTA, Lani Bruce 10CDN, Katie Burgess 7KML, Niamh Kelly 9LK, Mithujhana Nagenthiran 8SFU, Lucy Neil 7AMR, Jen Neilson 7AMR, Emma Parsons 7AMR, Beth Pearson 7AMR, Mya Rogan 7SHO, Demi Seddon 7SHO, Molly Simon 7SHO, Emily Wylde 8RHN, Kira Zabludow 8RHN Five fantastic days of book-related fun caused quite a stir in the LRC, Drawing Competition Winner: Ruby Hunschok-McFerran 8REL as Author Week returned! Students met Taran Matharu and discovered how to use their favourite things to create amazing stories, just as Taran Runners Up: Olivia Mullineux-Barr 7KCL, Chloe Smith did for his exciting ‘Summoner’ series of books. Matt Ralphs joined us 9SPO and Isabeau Southworth 7SHO to tell us about his gripping ‘Fire Girl’ books and encouraged us to tap into our imaginations. Scary stories were shared by students and Matt kindly answered dozens of intriguing questions. We welcomed Justin Fisher, who provided plenty of laughter as he talked us through the story behind his magical book ‘Ned’s Circus of Marvels’. The week closed in style with an inspirational and heart-warming visit from Siobhan Curham who shared her own story of working through hard times and battling the ‘voice of doom’ inside, to make it as an author of hugely successful books like ‘The Moonlight Dreamers’, and spurred all our girls on to dare to dream! Students had the opportunity to meet the visiting authors as they gathered to have books signed with LRC Ambassadors helping to keep the queues flowing smoothly! Author of hilarious ‘It Girl’ books, Katy Birchall visited school (after having to cancel her visit during Author Week) to spend time in Year 7 lessons and was also available for book signings at lunchtime.

Following on from the success of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, students were invited to take a walk on the wild side with our very own Miss H. Grainger who hosted Weatherhead’s third Harry Potter Book Night. Sixty Harry Potter fans came together and after a sorting ceremony enjoyed a very special Care of Magical Creatures class. The girls were able to hold and learn all about bearded dragons, giant millipedes, tree frogs, pythons, ferrets, owls and a tarantula. The girls then headed to their house tables for a Harry Potter themed feast - including chocolate frogs, jelly beans and butterbeer - before rounding off the evening with a quick-fire quiz. For the second year in a row, Hufflepuff were the triumphant winners of the House Cup!

LRC 11 Year 7 World of Careers Work activities Guidance

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: Please visit the Careers Guidance - Future Choices section of the school website for further information on Weatherhead’s Future Choices Programme. Careers appointments with Miss Smith, Guidance Coordinator, are available for parents on Tuesday evenings from 3.30pm-4.30pm. Parents can also make online enquiries via the school website.

The National Careers Service offer great advice and guidance to students and parents to in relation to careers. Visit www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk for more information. An Introduction to the World of Work

Joining forces with Wirral Young Chamber, we hosted a careers event for Year 7 students to introduce them to the world of work. So You Want to Representatives from Wirral Young Chamber and Progress to Excellence attended, alongside our Work Related Learning Team. Together, they be a Doctor? delivered a carousel of 15 activities ranging from how to dress for interview, to debating career stereotypes. The interactive sessions Year 12 student Abisaliny Arunprakash attended gave our girls the opportunity to develop team working skills and to a two day intensive medical careers event begin considering their futures. Bridging the gap between education at the Liverpool Medical Institution. Abisaliny and employment is integral to Weatherhead’s goal of instilling enjoyed lectures by medical students, doctors ambition in our students. and professors and found the sessions about University requirements, advice on how to write a personal statement, applying for University and interview techniques particularly useful. She also enjoyed presentations on a variety of Oxbridge Aspirations medical specialities including representatives from General Practice, Emergency Medicine, On a cold day in February, 20 students from Year 11 and 12 visited Pathology, Surgery and the North West the to explore Oxford and its Colleges. The group Ambulance Service. We wish Abisaliny luck on pursuing attended a talk, to learn all about the University and the many courses a future in medicine. it offers, before being given a tour of Lincoln College. After lunch the girls enjoyed a talk, about the admissions process followed by a tour of the University buildings in the snow-hit city centre. The talks and tour provoked many questions, especially about rowing! It is hoped this visit will encourage and inspire our students to apply to either Oxford or University Cambridge University. Challenge A group of Year 9 students attended an Oxford-Cambridge University Challenge morning hosted by the Liverpool Museum with nine other Wirral schools. The girls followed a timetable with sessions on Oncology, Geography, Archaeology, Classics, Latin America, Engineering and Computer Science, Tasya Hoyle commented, “I enjoyed the Latin America session because there was an actor who talked about emigration in the Victorian era and we all acted as different characters wanting to emigrate to America”.

Students visit Lincoln College

12 CAREERS & HIGHER EDUCATION Students in the Pink!

Year 13 A Level Health & Social Care students organised a week diet, drink less alcohol, don’t smoke) and how to check for breast packed with ‘pink’ themed events, to promote breast cancer cancer using the ‘Touch Look Check’ (TLC) approach. awareness and raise money for charity. Pink Show ticket sales, a Sixth Form quiz, pink themed fancy dress, cake sales and charity Pink Day charity event organisers were delighted to present wristbands, raised a total of £1,245.67 for the Clatterbridge Breast cheques to Macmillan Breast Care Specialist Nurses, Jennie Cancer Unit, with an additional £500 donated from the Sixth Form Mealor and Katie Firth, from Clatterbridge Hospital and enjoyed charity fund. In addition to the fundraising, students delivered finding out more about the work they do and how the donation breast cancer awareness sessions to Sixth Formers highlighting will be used to support the purchase of a new X-ray scanner for what it is, what you can do to reduce your risk (exercise, healthy the Breast Care Unit.

THE GREAT MFL

The oven-gloves were off when forty students entered their European themed cakes into the European Day of Languages Bake Off! Talented students impressed staff with their clever creations, which represented the length and breadth of Europe and included a Spanish nd doll, a map of Europe, the Eiffel Tower, a bowl of 2 st pasta and the Italian peninsula! The competition 1 was judged by Head of School, Miss Whelan and Deputy Headteacher, Mrs Rogers. Congratulations to the winners:

1st: Poppy Wilkinson and Daisy Welsh from Year 7 with a beautiful British themed Victoria sponge. 2nd: Katie Allen, Beth Birtles and Grayce Baker from Year 9 with their impressive European landmarks cake. 3rd: rd Cosina Kynaston from Year 8 with 3 a cleverly designed bowl of spaghetti.

AN EVENTFUL TIME 13 Boxing Clever Ex-student and Olympian, Natasha Jonas returned to Weatherhead as a Sky Sports Living for Sport mentor, to visit the PE department. Since her last visit to school, Natasha competed in the 2012 Olympics and had a baby. We were delighted that Natasha found the time to spend with our BTEC and A Level students, delivering an inspirational talk on being the first British female boxer to compete in the Olympic. She also delivered a fitness masterclass to PE students centred around circuit training. Natasha with Sports Leaders Spooky Spectacular! The Sixth Form Organising Committee organised the annual Year 7 Halloween disco. The students made a huge effort with some creepy costumes and freaky fashion. As well as prizes for the best dressed there were dance offs, games and a tuck shop which helped raise funds for the Sixth Form prom in June.

Dance Workshops The Dance department were delighted to welcome contemporary dancer Jess Arnott, the Re:Bourne Dance Company, Wirral Youth Theatre and RARE into school last term to work with our students on their choreography technique, as well as take part in contemporary and commercial dance sessions. The workshops were invaluable to our GCSE and A Level students and gave the girls a chance to speak to industry professionals about training and career paths.

The Dance department will be celebrating the 35th International Day of Dance on Friday 28th April. Watch this space to see how you can get involved!

All the Fun of the Fair! Well done to our Year 10 Childcare students who raised £128.60 at the annual Childcare fair selling gifts, sweets and running a tombola and raffle. The money will go towards buying new equipment for our toddler group, Weathertots.

14 AN EVENTFUL TIME Sixth Form Fine Art, Photography and Textiles students travelled to the beautiful city of Venice to find inspiration for their Spettacolare forthcoming final exams. The group visited the Doges Palace and the Basilica San Marco, heard tales of yesteryear Venezia! Venice on an evening walk, saw the world famous works of renaissance art at the Accademia Gallery, took a trip in a Gondola and did an awful lot of walking! Despite the unkind weather, students and staff were able to enjoy the sights and sounds of life in La Serenissima, from Gondoliers calling out to each other to the Campanile bells calling mass. The imagery, inspiration and information Students enjoy a gondola ride gathered from the trip will help the students when they are producing work for their final exams.

Students Cook up a Treat!

GCSE Food and Nutrition students cooked up a Indian dish Spanish dish culinary treat as part of their controlled assessment. The girls took inspiration from around the world and the final menus included dishes from America, Spain, Italy and India. The girls planned their recipes, shopped for their own ingredients and cooked their 3 course meal form scratch which students and staff sampled. Italian dish

C’est la Vie 12 French students from the Lycee Uruguay France, near Paris visited Weatherhead to discover more about the English education system. The group enjoyed a tour of the school, met with students and Apprentices to talk about higher education and university choices and enjoyed joining in a range of lessons.

Going Dutch 15 students, aged 16-18, from Bonaventura College in Holland visited Weatherhead. They took part in a range of subjects, alongside our Year 12 and 13 students, including English Literature and Language, Drama, Psychology and Photography. During lunchtimes they met with members of the School Council and the SSLT. Some of the students showed off their skills on the football pitch and others enjoyed The Wizard of Oz.

WEATHERHEAD GOES GLOBAL 15 Weatherhead Remembers Remembrance Day is a chance to stop, think and say thank you to those who gave everything to keep the country they love safe. Miss Seller and the Religious Studies Council attended a service of remembrance at St Hilary’s Church. Head of Council, Chloe Pace (whose father is in the armed services), was thrilled to read the following prayer during the service.

For all members of the armed forces Students experience ‘Beer’ goggles Who are in danger today, Remembering family, friends, And all who pray for their safe return; Maritime May God give peace. God give peace. Museum A member of the council laid the wreath on the newly renovated Year 8 travelled to the Albert Dock to participate in the Rush memorial and the last post played whilst a minute’s silence was Drugs Awareness workshop. Students watched a performance observed. Thanks to Lydia Appleby, Sam Begum, Ellie-Leigh Davies about drug awareness and engaged with the actors, asking Tolman, Honor Dempsey, Jasmin Jones, Chloe Pace and Hannah them questions about the dilemmas faced by the characters. Roberts for acting as great Weatherhead Ambassadors. The girls enjoyed the tour of the anti-smuggling themed ‘Seized!’ exhibition at the Maritime Museum and tried on ‘beer goggles’ to discover the effects of drinking. This trip is an important part of our PSHCE programme.

Clothes Show Live Fine Art and Textiles students from Years 10 to 13 visited The Clothes Show Live at the NEC (the last year that the show will be hosted in Birmingham, having been there since its inception in 1989!) Students enjoyed a fantastic catwalk fashion and dance show, met celebrities Theatre Trips from the world of fashion and TV, viewed work from fashion Drama students enjoyed theatre trips to see Blood Brothers, and design colleges and indulged Sister Act 2, A Street Car Named Desire and the acclaimed in some shopping. Judging by the Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, whilst dance number of enormous bags that students enjoyed performances by contemporary dance students travelled back with, they companies, Rambert and Alvin Ailey. Music students enjoyed managed to grab more than a few the Marriage of Figaro and a very special performance by the bargains! Chester Philharmonic Orchestra at Chester Cathedral.

16 DAY TRIPPING Rocky Shores

As part of their Ecology and Managing the Environment portfolio, Year 13 Applied Scientists visited Anglesey. The sun was shining as the students spent the day investigating the distribution of species living on rocky shores. The students were amazed at the variety of life on the shore and the Latin names that scientists use to identify them. After an overnight stay, in their own wooden cabin, at the Anglesey Outdoor Centre and a full English breakfast, the students were ready to head back to the shore to complete their individual investigations. The students researched the effect of wave action on the size of different snail species before heading back to Weatherhead, a little windswept and London Calling tired, but more knowledgeable about marine life! Students visit Anglesey 30 GCSE and A Level Sociology students enjoyed a day trip to London in the Autumn term. The group joined the tourist trail, taking in Trafalgar Square, 10 Downing Street, Buckingham Palace, the Mall and a flight on the London Eye. They also managed to pack in a tour of the Houses of Parliament and were allowed into the House of Commons where they learnt the history of building and how government works. The girls created their own political parties, to further understand the UK voting system, before catching the train home.

Romeo, Romeo Wherefore Art Thou Romeo?

Ten lucky Year 11 students were chosen to attend a performance, based on Shakespeare’s tragedy, Romeo and Juliet at Liverpool Hope University. Before the start of the show, the girls attended an exclusive discussion about the performance and were able to listen to passionate performers about how they replicate Capital Radio such difficult scenes on the stage. Ten members of the IceRadio team were treated to a visit to the Capital Radio studios in Liverpool to experience a live broadcast and tour the studios. The team were keen to see how a professional studio operates and were delighted to meet Graham from the drive time show.

DAY TRIPPING 17 Boxes of Delight Representatives from the School Council together with Charity Captains and volunteers from Year 7 delivered almost 150 presents to elderly residents at Victoria House, Sandrock Nursing Home and Mariners’ Park Care Home during the last week of the Christmas term. All of the presents were made or donated by students and staff and carefully wrapped by Year 7 girls as part of Miss Brough’s annual Christmas Box project. One School Council member made mince pies with her grandmother, which were gratefully received by the staff at the care homes. Students and staff also entertained residents with an Weatherhead’s Got impromptu sing song of carols and Christmas songs! Talent winners visit Wirral Food Bank Weatherhead’s Got Talent! Almost 100 students auditioned over two days, for Weatherhead’s Got Talent, with an impressive array of musicians and dancers. 15 acts made it through to the live lunchtime final and a group of seven Year 9 girls, collectively known ‘the Cereal Killers’, were crowned winners with their dance act. As well as being treated to a pizza lunch, the girls helped deliver non- perishable items and toiletries to the Wirral Foodbank which was bought with £190 from ticket sales.

Icing on the Cake! The Food Department hosted an evening class in cake decorating facilitated by Mrs Jones, from Fleur Ashley Tearooms in Liscard. Year 9, 10 and 11 students enjoyed hands on demonstrations and had the chance to create their own edible snowman decoration which they packaged up to take home with a personal message.

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1. Choir performs in Christmas assemblies 2 2. Students visit Mariners’ Park to deliver presents 3. PTF Christmas Fair

18 CHRISTMAS Weatherhead in the Community In addition to the £1,700 raised for Clatterbridge from Pink Day, £1,500 for AgeUK from the Wizard of Oz school production, food parcels and toiletries were donated to Wirral Foodbank by Year 9 winners of Weatherhead’s Got Talent and Sixth Form volunteers. Students raised over £900 for Children in Need from a cake and toast sale, a Mannequin Challenge and by wearing spotty accessories and Pudsey ears. Sixth formers and staff held coffee mornings raising nearly £600 for Macmillan Cancer Support whilst Liv Asterley and Leah Sage raised over £100 for local charity, Sundowns at their Christmas Fair.

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1. Sixth Formers visit Wirral foodbank 3 2. Macmillan coffee morning 3. Liv & Leah’s Christmas Fair Key Dates for Your Diary Friday 26th May School closes for half term Monday 29th May to Friday 2nd June Half term/Whit week Monday 5th June School opens Thursday 15th June Year 5 Open Evening Friday 16th June Open Morning (parents only) Monday 26th June to Friday 30th June Year 10 Work Experience week Thursday 29th June 6th form Prom Tuesday 4th July KS3 Awards Evening Wednesday 5th July Year 6 Induction Day Friday 7th July Sports Day Monday 10th to Wednesday 12th July Year 7 Conway trip Wednesday 19th July School closes for Summer Monday 4th September INSET Tuesday 5th September INSET Wednesday 6th September School opens (Year 7-12)

CHARITY / DATES FOR THE DIARY 19 WeatherheadWeatherhead HighHigh SSchoolchool BrBreckeck RoRoad,ad WaWallasey,lla Wirral CH44 3HS Tel: 0151 631 4400 Fax: 0151 637 1805 Email: [email protected] Website: www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk