Spring Term TheThe SwanSwan 2016 The Magazine of Christleton High School

Aiming High in Sport!

Harry Potter and the Theory of Everything

Freedom Writers

The Curiosities of Counting

Art goes to Owl City

Multi-Academy Trust

Gym and Dance Show 2016

TheThe SwanSwan The Magazine of Christleton High School

Spring Music Concert 2 Airbus Placement 29 Architects and Planners of the Future..? 56 Headteacher’s Report 4 Harry Bibring, Holocaust Survivor 30 Reaseheath Open Day 58 Studio and Multi- Academy Trust 7 Product Wars 30 Bowie Blockbusters - Answers 58 Come Dine With Us! 8 Building Journalism Teacher’s Pet - Answer 58 & Literacy Skills 31 Sixth Form Freedom Writers Review 59 Enterprising Activities 9 Come Dine With Year 8 32 Mob Football 60 The Curiosities of Counting 10 Year 7 Book Review 33 Aiming High in Sport! 61 Challenging Times 11 DoE Silver 34 Cheshire Phoenix 62 Biggest Ever Maths and British Biology Olympiad 35 Science Lessons 12 Professional Table Street Eats 35 Tennis Coaching 62 Rock, Paper, Maths 13 Gym & Dance Show 2016 36 Hockey Club 63 Aspiring Chester Doctor 14 Disco 38 ESAA School Cross Borneo 2016 15 Country Cup Finals 63 The Heat is On! 39 Year 9 Business Year 7 Netball 64 Enterprise Challenge 16 World Famous Explorers 40 Badminton County Annual Pancake Relay 18 A Cut Above in Biology 41 Champions 64 Smile 19 Harry Potter and the Under 13 Netball 65 Theory of Everything 42 Charity Collection 19 Congratulations 65 Being an Artist 20 News from Sylvia Wood 46 Table Tennis 65 Colour Me Creative 20 Bowie Blockbuster Quiz 47 County Netball 66 Dürers Rhinoceros 21 Christleton’s Two Apprentices 48 Rugby 67 London Art Fair 21 Why Work Experience Really Matters 49 Girls Football 67 Street Art Portraits 22 Ready for Work, Further County Schools U16’s Netball 68 Artist Kristina Webb 22 or Higher Education 50 Chester and District Volleyball How to Create... 23 IT Apprenticeships 51 Championships 69 Art Goes to Owl City 24 Sylvia’s Apprenticeship Emily Secures 3rd Place 69 Checklist 52 IT Girls Allowed 25 Cheshire Schools Cross U-xplore Instructions 53 Country Championships 69 Young People’s Bus 26 Vauxhall Motors Basketball Round up 70 No matter the weather, Football Academy 54 the biologists battle on! 27 Girls Handball 71 Work Experience is Ready, Steady… Cook! 28 Only 6 Months Away 55 Billy Elliot 72

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Spring Term 2016 3 ACTINg Headteacher’s

roofs. The work has of course,eport caused Baccalaureate qualification. This would some disruptionR with a number of room include elements of creativity, activity closures and at times, some noise and service and an extended essay pervading the school. However, the qualification, which is an independent, resilience of both students and staff in self-directed piece of research and is working together to deliver recognised by universities. the continued excellent learning, In February, students from across the is a credit to them all. school participated in a fabulous Gym Notwithstanding the disruption, I feel and Dance Show to a packed audience. sure that the buildings, which are The event and its standards have got looking good are now fit for purpose bigger and better over the years and it for the school, to effectively teach serves to remind me of the importance students for years to come. of Performing Arts, Dance and Gymnastics in the school curriculum. As mentioned in the Christmas edition of The Swan, it has been a time of change within the curriculum. We are now phasing in changes at GCSE level so that the vast majority of students follow There is much excitement over the English How very quickly our forthcoming second musical Baccalaureate this term is performance of this school year, ‘Billy subjects. This flying by! Our Elliot’; I am delighted to say we are will be compulsory Year 11 and Year one of the first schools in the country for Year 7 students. 13 students are to perform this play. An amazing 137 The options are now now busy preparing students auditioned and 73 have been in place for Year 10 and for their forthcoming cast. Together with backstage and front students will exams. Teachers are currently of house assistance, the production will follow a Geography or checking over coursework grades involve over 100 students. History GCSE course. before samples are submitted to the Preparation is now well underway for exam boards. Year 13 and some Our Year 12 curriculum will also what is arguably one of Christleton High of our Year 11 students see change next year. School’s biggest productions, which has will shortly be starting Advanced levels are generated enormous excitement from their final term at being reformed in the students. ‘Billy Elliot’ follows on Christleton High structure: linear from ‘Our House’ and ‘The Lion King’, School. We two-year courses both of which played out to full houses. naturally wish all with more To avoid disappointment, make sure of our students opportunities for you secure your tickets early! every success in extended writing their exams. in exams are being During February half-term, we saw introduced. The changes to our catering facilities. Both I am very pleased entire course will dining rooms have been refurbished to be able to be assessed in an with new tables and seating. We report that the exam, taken at the also have a new Food Court to building work is now end of Year 13. Most accommodate even more hungry complete! This has been of our students will be students. Our catering partner is a tremendous undertaking taking three ‘A’ levels. This gives offering a new concept for the school with the replacement of the majority us the opportunity to introduce an called ‘Street Eats’, which will be based of windows, the re-building of some additional course of study, focusing on on a ‘grab and go’ type menu. exterior walls and the installation of the core elements of the International new insulation to a large number of

4 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School These This term, trips, including visits to RAF Woodvale, changes we have Rome and Pompeii, The Conway Art are seen eleven Weekend and a trip to Cyprus. designed to members We also hold Duke of Edinburgh’s reduce the of staff work Award Expeditions and numerous queuing, giving with an external day trips. I would like to take this students a longer consultant, Kaz opportunity to thank parents for time to sit and enjoy Kaczmarczyk, from their support and to staff for their meals together. Colourful Solutions, organising such valuable events. More details can be found on the role of Coaching in elsewhere within this edition of Education. This intensive programme Finally, this is my last Report as Acting The Swan. is designed to develop a deep insight Headteacher. It has been a really into a teacher’s own personality and good year for me and I am very proud Calum McIntyre, who was with us as learning behaviours, in order for them to have been given the opportunity. I a student at Christleton before later to better understand their students’ have thoroughly enjoyed watching the transferring to the staff, left us in issues so that they can create stronger school, its students and staff, continue January to begin a new and exciting and more effective student-teacher to develop and move forward. role as Youth Development Coach at learning relationships. Chester FC. We thank Calum for his Despite having been the Deputy work with our students and wish him In late January, staff participated in the Headteacher at Christleton for 12 all the very best. annual Staff Breakout session, when years, it’s been fascinating for me to sit they devote some time to exploring in the ‘hot seat’. The change of roles I should also make mention that we developments in their subject areas, or has given me a different perspective are very happy to have been able to pursuing research into new resources, in viewing the school, particularly the welcome back our Business Director, with a view to enhancing the teaching constant need to balance the needs Nigel Follos, following his heart surgery of their subject areas. The History of the students with the constraints prior to Christmas. It is good to see him department, for example, worked with imposed by our budget. looking so much better and fighting fit. the Chester Civic Society, to explore We wish him well as he settles back I thank you for your continued support how the English Civil War impacted on into his role. and look forward to returning to my the village of Christleton, whilst the RE role as Deputy Headteacher, which Every Wednesday afternoon, all of department visited Alder Hey Hospital I enjoy immensely. our staff participate in Continual to look at counselling work. Professional Development, in which Our school continues to promote they explore innovative ideas in many trips and visits. Such activities teaching and learning, work together enrich and support our students both to solve common issues and share in academic terms and in their own best practice. personal development. This term A D Stenhouse alone, we have logged more than 28 Acting Headteacher Spring Term 2016 5 @

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6 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School STUDIO AND MULTI-ACADEMY

We were really disappointed to be workplace. After some You will have seen in the letter sent to informed over the Christmas holidays discussion we decided that parents that I have asked Governors that the EducationTrust Funding Agency this is better delivered in the to replace me as Head of School. had withdrawn from the purchase 16-18 range after GCSEs and After 14 years I believe that it needs of Knight’s Court in Chester. Most a more natural point of new impetus and now is a really good concerning was that the cohort of movement. moment for the change. I’m really young people who had committed to grateful that during the past year Mr our vision and taken the courageous An increasing number of Stenhouse and our Senior Leadership decision to change school were going young people who Team have kept the momentum of to be let down, as it was no longer do not wish to follow the improvement following our Ofsted possible to open in September 2016. 3 A Level pathway, which inspection. has been defined by the Now that we have addressed current Government may This has enabled me to invest time the immediate concerns and need provision that is in more strategic development, commitments, we have had time currently not available in including planning for the Studio, to reflect on the successes to date our area. although I have to say I’ve missed and the outcomes of surveys and the day-to-day pleasure of running feedback from our school and the 3. In designing a school the school. Governors are currently wider Cheshire community, including from scratch, we came up with working to appoint a replacement and our many employer partners. Our some fundamental concept I’m sure would be grateful as ever for Multi-Academy Trust was approved by shifts, which gave the your thoughts and views. We will be the Regional Schools Commissioner in Studio its unique identity. able to update you more fully in the late January and gives us the facility However, on reflection summer SWAN. to extend provision for some of our many of them can be In summary, I believe we must: students and for our wider community. introduced within the High School to increase “Keep improving the school and keep At a meeting attended by Governors, personalisation, employability students at the heart of all Trustees, staff and leadership, and independent learning. we do.” we reviewed our position and We have a team of staff commitment which is summarised who are working on this and “Utilise our Multi-Academy Trust below: the development plan for it is to design and provide excellent on the school website. To view alternatives in our area, for our 1. We believe the International the plan, please access our own students and others in our Baccalaureate Programmes Home Page, School Information, community.” are exceptionally powerful then Policies and Documents and can provide increased and select Studio to School opportunity for some young Development Plan 2016- people in both the Diploma 17. This will be a major benefit and Career-Related for our school from the Studio Programmes. We are development. continuing to move at a pace to become an accredited In my experience, excellent projects IB school. Mrs J Jones is often take two or three attempts to leading this work. complete. For example, our own Research building only came to 2. Feedback from disappointed fruition at the fourth attempt! We students and families was are committed to diversifying whilst that they believed in the retaining excellence and ensuring that We always welcome feedback and concept of the Studio and in the improvement benefits the school participation so please don’t hesitate particular the smaller size, and those children who need or want to get in touch with your thoughts and broader based curriculum and something slightly different. ideas, [email protected] its relevance to the Tony Lamberton Spring Term 2016 7 come dine with

a meal each day, especially given Due to be introduced in May half Christleton High the positive impact having a decent term, this Cash–less system will SchoolUs! is pleased meal each day has upon better facilitate the speedier use of all to be able to learning within the classroom. catering facilities, allow parents to view their child’s eating habits, as announce the Consequently, with the help of well as providing greater security introduction of an students, governors and staff for students by replacing cash with alike, we went right back to basics a card based system. all-new catering and re-defined exactly what was experience for its needed to take the catering The successful caterer will also provision forward. be launching a number of exciting students! School new initiatives as part of the re- Business director, Therefore, we spent a lot of time furbishment programme. This Nigel Follos, undertaking an important and includes a completely new modern detailed tender process where a counter layout to allow speedier explains. number of high profile caterers bid access for all students with for our contract, focussing not only Wagamama-style bench seating on the costs but also outlining their and brand new state of the art ideas to really re-invigorate the cash-less vending machines, whole proposition! which will dispense healthy snacks and products. Our aim was simple… we wanted

to best create a real ‘retail dining experience’, with better quality The developments food, wider choice, improved offers and a better eating environment…. don’t end there! School catering can often be a but without retail pricing! A thankless task with nearly as many fantastic vision but one that we There will also be a new tastes and expectations as there knew, at the outset, could be complementary external seating are students in the school. Add into difficult to achieve in practice. area with canopies in the Quad the mix, the need to balance quality, During this painstaking process, area. This will substantially healthy, nutritional food with a each shortlisted catering company increase the number of seats choice that appeals to a school age presented their thoughts and ideas available at lunchtimes and break group that ranges from 11 to 18 (and to a school panel consisting times, thus improving the flow older if you include the staff as well) of hugely enthusiastic students through the Food Court area and you have a cocktail that could from a number of different year and making the whole dining easily set out to please everyone groups, a member of staff, a experience a more enjoyable and end up pleasing no-one!!! Governor, and members of the one for our students. Senior Leadership Team. After six years with our current The new caterers will also be caterer, we felt it was time to fully It was a difficult decision to reach introducing innovative, high street review our catering provision to as we had to balance the financial food concepts including the ever- better ensure that our students impacts with the wider food choice popular ‘street food’ amongst have a food provision at both break and quality. As a result, we are a choice of other fresh, locally times and lunchtimes that is both thrilled to announce that Christleton sourced produce. fit for purpose and affordable in High School, with effect from today’s financially tight times. February half term, now has a new The successful catering company’s contemporary, user friendly ‘food Regional Manager, Bill Kelly, is We felt the offer had become a bit court’ that will include the future naturally pleased at being awarded “tired” with too limited a choice and introduction of a cash-less the contract and commented: too few of our students purchasing payment system. 8 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School “We will be delivering a wider choice of food with a high focus on quality whilst attempting to introduce enhanced value for Sixth forM money for all students.”

This will complement the well- presented catering offer. Bill enterprising went on to add:

“Together with the school’s management team, we have listened to students, who have ActivitieS asked for half portion sizes for Budding entrepreneurs in the Sixth Form lower prices as well as more meal have been battling it out with a number of deal options. challenges over the last term to enhance their employability skills, breadth of Look out too for our friendly knowledge and understanding in their catering staff, who will all have Business lessons. All A Level Business new uniforms in line with the students had the opportunity to learn school colours and will take part first-hand how stocks and shares in on-going staff training and operate by participating in the IFS development in order to continually stock Investors challenge. improve our service and deliver exciting and tasty food to our Several teams participated buying and selling virtual shares and customer… Christleton’s students.” investigating external impacts on the price of shares and one of our teams (Ben Moody, Tom Mullins, and Robyn McNally) has been It is not just the Food Court and successful in reaching the semi-finals to battle it out to win an Quad areas that will receive a all expenses paid trip to New York! facelift as the Sixth Form dining area will also be getting a makeover with its very own chilled ‘coffee culture’ experience and matching furniture. This has been designed to deliver to our older students, a real retail coffee shop feel.

They managed to invest their £100,000 virtual investment to generate a profit and were ranked in the top 500 teams in the country, competing against over 10,000 teams nationally! So good luck guys - watch this space to find out how they do in the next round!

We hope that the changes will go a long way towards to meeting A group of Year 12 students have been busy setting up and running a new our initial objectives but are all business venture during their business studies lessons in conjunction too well aware that we won’t have with Young Enterprise Company Program. They are hoping for success got everything right first time and are currently in the prototype stage of creating a new unique product – far from it! that would help all students and workers alike in the work place!

Therefore, to continue the two- way communication between To raise initial capital they the school and our caterers, we have been busy selling intend to appoint a number of food shares and attending trade ambassadors to provide continued fairs, selling crafts and feedback on what our students gaining market research, want to see in their school …and learning first-hand what if those on the awarding panel it takes to make it in the are anything to go by, they will business world and not hold back!!! learning by doing!

Spring Term 2016 9

Year 10 students visited Winstanley in Billinge for a talk by Alex Bellos, Ten Guardian columnist and author of College bestselling books. It was a fun and

Maths talk about where numbers The two from, mixing history, reportage and informative Alex based his talk on his travels and come Maths. to Japan to meet the chimpanzees trips have learnt to count and the students who perform calculations at a tremendous who using an imaginary abacus! Curiositiesspeed explained how place value systems, of He the one we use today, require a strategy like describe the case when there is nothing to position. The Babylonians used a marker

in a represent nothing; the Chinese used a t o to represent nothing. Only the Indians Countingspace introduced a symbol, 0, and treated if it was a normal digit just like all the it as others from 1 to 9.

invention of the number zero was The possibly the greatest conceptual leap in history of mathematics. It was based on the the concept of nothingness stemming from a philosophical approach to valuing a state of nothingness achieved through meditation. This was a culturally contrasting approach of using numbers to count tangible items.

We thoroughly enjoyed the trip and wanted to thank Mr Holmes for organising the visit and for driving us there in the school minibus! Though he did embarrass us by insisting that he get a ‘selfie’ with Alex Bellos before we left…

Charis Inchley 10BY1

10 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Challenging Times! Team Maths Challenge Christleton High School hosted the regional final of the Senior Team Maths Challenge (STMC), a competition organised jointly by the Further Mathematics Support Programme and the UK Mathematics Trust and Year 10 students visited Winstanley sponsored by Rolls-Royce plc. in Billinge for a talk by Alex Bellos, 15 teams of the best mathematics students from local schools Ten Guardian columnist and author of College and colleges tackled a series of demanding mathematical bestselling books. It was a fun and challenges for over three hours. The aim of the competition Maths talk about where numbers two is to provide a stimulating and enjoyable challenge for 16-19 from, mixing history, reportage and informative year-old mathematics students by focusing on problem- Alex based his talk on his travels and come solving, teamwork and communication skills. The STMC to Japan to meet the chimpanzees Maths. is now in its 10th year and attracts over 1000 teams from Individual Maths Challenges have learnt to count and the students trips schools and colleges from around the UK. who perform calculations at a tremendous 17 Year 12 and 13 students sat the UKMT Senior Maths who using an imaginary abacus! The four students representing Christleton were Ben Challenge. This is a fun but tough task, which tests students’ speed Patterson, Tasneem Bawendi, Freya McConnell and Ashley ability to apply their knowledge of mathematics to abstract and realistic scenarios. The top 60% of students nationally explained how place value systems, Dawson. The first round was undoubtedly our best; we managed to land ourselves in the top 5, a position we receive a gold, silver, or bronze certificate in the ratio 1:2:3. He the one we use today, require a strategy maintained until the final round, eventually finishing a This year seven students received the bronze award, four like describe the case when there is nothing respectable 7th. All students put in a tremendous effort. students received the silver, and two students, Meredydd to position. The Babylonians used a marker Jones and Freya McConnell, received a gold award. in a represent nothing; the Chinese used a At the time of going to print, the team of Year 8 and Year 9 Meredydd and Tess Corr are pictured with their certificates. t o to represent nothing. Only the Indians students are training for the Team Maths Challenge on 8th space introduced a symbol, 0, and treated March 2016, at Birkenhead School. This will be a similar if it was a normal digit just like all the style competition and will provide plenty of interesting Maths others from 1 to 9. To get a flavour of what was involved, here is a question for it as material for our students, watch out for a report in the next you to try yourself: edition of the Swan. invention of the number zero was The possibly the greatest conceptual leap in Four different straight lines are drawn history of mathematics. It was based on Try this question out to get a flavour of the level of on a flat piece of paper. The number of the the concept of nothingness stemming challenge involved. from a philosophical approach to points where two or more lines intersect is valuing a state of nothingness achieved Xana and Zara start together in a corner through meditation. This was a culturally counted. Which of the following could not contrasting approach of using numbers of a large square field of side 40m. be the number of such points? to count tangible items. They set off at the same time and each walks around the edge of the field, one We thoroughly enjoyed the trip A 1 B 2 C 3 D 4 E 5 and wanted to thank Mr Holmes for clockwise and the other anti-clockwise. organising the visit and for driving us there in the school minibus! Though The ratio of Xana’s speed to Zara’s speed he did embarrass us by insisting that he 130 students completed the Intermediate Maths Challenge get a ‘selfie’ with Alex Bellos before we is 3:5. When they meet each other for the on 4th February 2016, and we are currently awaiting the left… first time, and on each subsequent meeting, results. The Junior Maths Challenge will be held on Thursday, 28th they reverse their directions and swap their Charis Inchley 10BY1 April 2016, and approximately 130 students from Years 7 speeds. How far from their starting position and 8 will be entered. are they when they meet each other Contributions by Tasneem Bawendi 13.1, for the 200th time, in metres? Ashley Dawson 12.2 & Mr Holmes Spring Term 2016 11 Biggest Ever Maths & Science Lesson World Record attempt at

Christleton High School On Tuesday, 3rd November 2015, the whole of Year 7 took part in a World Record attempt for the biggest ever maths and science lesson. This was a very special lesson because thousands of schools around the world were sharing the same lesson on the same day.

Our lesson began with a brief introduction to DNA, before our class went to the Sports Hall to join the rest of Year 7. Our task was to build a strand of DNA out of balloons. We had very specific instructions about the length each balloon needed to be and the colour sequence we all needed to follow in order to represent DNA strands accurately. Joining the balloons by twisting them together was particularly tricky – it was difficult to avoid balloons popping!

The hall became increasingly hectic and frantic as we tried hard to complete a longer strand than any other form. After nearly 2 hours of persevering in our form groups, it was time to join together all our efforts. The 8 strands from each form group were joined together. The final DNA strand was nearly as wide as the Sports Hall! We were all very proud to have our photograph taken with the finished DNA helix.

We had to wait to hear if we had broken the record or not – sadly, we did not but we did all receive a certificate of participation. If you haven’t had your certificate, just see your Maths teacher. Eventually it was confirmed that over 13,243 students from 12 different countries took part in this lesson.

Some quotes about the event from year Year 7 students:

‘I thoroughly enjoyed it and I hope we can do it again one day’ Issey Wheatley 7K2

‘I thought that the Guinness World Record attempt for the world’s largest maths and science lesson was fun.’ Amelia Goulding 7L2

‘I would like to be able to do it again to see if we can get it any longer.’ Grace Rose 7K2

To see pictures of students participating around the world please go to: www.bubblymaths.co.uk/the-worlds-largest-maths-science-lesson/ 12 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School In the Sixth Form, students study Core Maths and Applied Maths. Core Maths includes calculus and For instruction purposes, we were whilst moving down the ice and split into two teams. The first thing avoid touching the stone or your what people think of you learn is how to push off the partner’s broom. At the end of the block. Now trainers on ice is slippy, hour things were getting pretty as ‘proper maths’. but putting one foot on a slippy competitive! We were all getting the Rock,Rock, Paper,Paper, MathsMaths Applied Maths looks at the pad then standing on ice sounds stone moving down the ice with the application of mathematical theory just crazy – but it works. The bar to minimum of falls. Some of us even to everyday situations, in modules help you keep your balance really managed to get the stone in the on Statistics and Mechanics. did help. Then you move on to house – which would have scored holding the bar with one hand and points if it had been a game. However Mechanics is an often the stone with the other. The stones misunderstood area of Applied weigh more than the average child Thank you to the Deeside Curling Maths. People think that to be good does, so that felt pretty secure. The club for teaching us so much. at it, you need to do Physics – this tricky bit was letting go of the stone Curling is much trickier on ice, than just isn’t true! without losing your balance. There it is paper! If you are interested in were some very graceful crashes trying it out go to their website for In Mechanics, we look at how into the ice at this point. more details. particles move around and interact with each other. Things roll down welshcurling.org.uk slopes, hang off ropes and speed The second curling skill is along a surface. We talk about the sweeping. Sounds easy enough? Ms Pitchford assumptions we make about a Sweep the ice in front of the stone, problem. A common assumption as it’s going down the ice, to reduce on paper is that there is no friction. friction. In practice you are trying to We often use the comparison to a sweep as close to a moving object, problem occurring on ice – there is very little friction when you travel on ice as anyone who has slipped over on a winter’s day will vouch for.

For our staff breakout training session, we could choose any activity, which could enrich our teaching. The ‘Science of the Winter Olympics’ video on YouTube demonstrates how friction, momentum and impulse impact on a game of Curling. There is a whole collection of videos there on winter sports, which are worth looking up. That’s how the Maths Department ended up Curling at Deeside Ice Rink at the same time as members of the local club and national side! So how did we do? Spring Term 2016 13 “I am still a high school student and raising funds of this size is a challenge which I embrace whole- Why this heartedly but I do need a bit of assistance,” she said. “Knowing my intention to study medicine at university, my teachers suggested that Project India aspiring Chester would be an ideal opening for me and I intend to make the most of this chance, which is why I hope people will consider making a small donation to my doctor needs fundraising efforts.” “This type of work experience is extremely rare in the UK, especially for under 18s. The trip will provide your support me with the chance to enjoy the colourful culture for which India is famous and to see some of the beautiful natural scenery.” in her quest to “Project India is an opportunity to immerse myself in the culture of India and to meet and work with doctors who have dedicated their lives to helping the help people... rural poor.” Blythe added: “For many years I have aspired to be a doctor and this placement offers me the unique possibility of practical experience in a wide range of departments including internal This article was medicine, surgery, paediatrics, maternity, oncology, published in the intensive care and orthopaedics.” Chester Chronicle For her to participate in Project India, Blythe needs - 5 February 2016 to raise £2,500, which will help to pay for her travel, and was written by accommodation, food, vaccinations, insurance, flights Carmella de Lucia and visa costs. “Although I have had the full support of my friends Student Blythe Walker wants to gain medical and family, I greatly appreciate any donation that experience working in a hospital in rural India. people are willing to contribute – supporters like you Many youngsters harbour career ambitions from a will help to make my dream possible,” said Blythe young age, but for 16-year-old Blythe Walker, she’s who has already raised more than £1,000 of her target. dead set on making hers become a reality. The teenager is no stranger to volunteering and For as long as she can remember, Blythe has aspired completes many hours of charity work each year. to be a doctor, and the fact she has been offering her Blythe hopes the trip will allow her to build on this services as a volunteer for various charities for the past experience, which includes fundraising and working seven years has only furthered her desire to spend time working with and helping children living in one of with hospices that support with children suffering life- the poorest parts of rural India. limiting illnesses. Blythe, a Christleton High School Sixth Form student Her teachers at school are supportive of her quest, from Vicars Cross, wants to take part in Project India, including biology teacher Jane Parker, who said: “I am a pre-medical placement trip run by Medical Projects very proud of the fact that Blythe has volunteered to which, through a charitable trust, offers students the take part in this worthwhile project in India.” chance to spend valuable time achieving hands-on “Blythe helps me run the school medical association experience at a hospital in Dervan, south of Mumbai. which aims to support students aspiring to a career The two weeks will see Blythe completing 50 hours of as a health professional; I’m confident Blythe will hospital work experience in addition to clinical skills make a huge success of this venture.” sessions, first aid training and gaining a certificate from Blythe added: “Project India will enable me to St John’s ambulance. have an amazing adventure in a totally different She hopes the clinical work would give her some environment and I am most excited to be in the priceless experience in her quest to be a qualified hospital itself working alongside doctors with real medic, as well as giving her university applications a patients.” huge boost. If you’re interested in making a contribution, you can At the moment Blythe is trying to raise funds for the trip donate online at Blythe’s fundraising page by going to and is paying for a large portion of the travel herself. www.gofundme.com and searching for ‘Project India But she admits she needs some help. Trip’

14 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School BORNEOBORNEO 20162016

In January 2015, students from Years 9, 10, 11, and 12 were given the opportunity, through a company called Camps International, to take part in an amazing adventure in Borneo, South East Asia.

25 students decided to take up the What will we be doing while we will have. The knowledge that we, as opportunity and the challenge started are in Borneo? young adults, have helped contribute to straight away. The cost of the trip making a difference to other people’s We leave on 17th July 2016 returning - £4000 each, so the fundraising lives, people who do not have the on the 14th August 2016. Four weeks began. There has been both group luxuries that we take for granted. To where we will experience things and individual fundraising, bag packing, be able to soak up and learn about a that are very different to those in our a hamper raffle, refreshments at different culture first hand. everyday lives here. One week will various events, cake sales, Christmas be spent trekking and living in the An experience that none of us will Tree disposal, craft fairs, photo days, rainforest. We are sure a visit to the ever forget. sponsorships, even Christopoly was famous Sepilok Orangutan Centre invented! The list is endless. We will update you on our return and will be one of the highlights, but most hopefully have some photo’s we can In addition to this many of us have importantly, the bulk of our time will be share with you too. taken on part time jobs. Now just 12 spent working and living in the local months on from the first meeting, many villages. We will be involved in ongoing A big thank you to Miss Sullivan, Mrs of us have hit our target or are getting projects or helping to set new ones Parker and Mrs Stott for accompanying very close to it, showing a great deal of up that will improve the lives of the us on this trip and the support they commitment, team spirit and dedication local people and surrounding villages, have given us so far and support we and the knowledge that we raised that as well as taking part in a forest are sure they will give us while on money through our own hard work. regeneration project to help protect our travels. wildlife and the environment. We would all like to say a big thank Team Borneo you to anyone who has supported us along the way, without the generosity and support of family, friends, local What will we gain from this businesses, and the community we experience? wouldn’t have been able to raise this There will be many high and low points money. We would like to extend some over the four weeks, with many of special thanks to The John Seller’s us missing home and families. This Foundation and the CHSA who kindly is where we will pull together as a donated money to enable us to follow group, helping each other through the our dreams. low times but what a lot of highs we

Spring Term 2016 15 Year 9 Business Enterprise Challenge

Mr Hornby reachingreaching forfor Mr Hornby Mr McDonnell gritting his showing off the some moral teethteeth duringduring resultsresults ofof hishis support from his leg wax! head shave. Mr Goodwin.

The Year 9 Business We wanted to help raise vital funds Mr Hornby, and Mr Goodwin. The and so we accepted the Dragon’s crowds gathered in the hall to Enterprise class received Lair Challenge. Each class had to witness the bravery of our teachers a visit from Nicola pitch a fundraising idea to a panel and the event was a huge success. Sciarrillo, Area Fundraiser of ‘Dragons’ asking for investment for Hope House in their event. This money was “We planned a fundraiser called then used to purchase resources ‘All about Hair’, where we went to Children’s Hospice. We needed for our events. as many forms as we could from received a presentation Monday, 7th to Thursday, 10th about the important There were some fantastic ideas December 2015 with buckets. The including selling decorated buckets all had different teachers services provided by Christmas plates, hot chocolates on them and detailed whether they Hope House, and learnt and hot dogs, a Cyclotron and were getting their head shaved, how donations are vital even a teacher’s head shave haircut, hair dyed or legs waxed. to care for terminally ill and leg wax! People could put any spare change in the bucket of their children and provide We had some very brave volunteers nominated teacher. support to their families. including Mr McDonnell, Mr Hall, 16 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School On Friday, 11th December 2015, we Other equally successful events There was more hard work from set up the gym with benches and included Sam Parsonage, James Daisy Woolgar-Bebb, Niamh Lloyd- seats at the front for the teachers Ellison, and John Gornall cycling Kerfoot and their enterprise group during the Our House school and at 12:30 pm, students were as they sold hot chocolates during musical. “On the 28th November allowed to come in and watch the 2015, we cycled 100 miles for a lunchtime raising £87.00. big event. There was also a bucket Hope House charity on a turbo (a at the entrance, in to which people turbo is a sort of stand which you Charles Langley, Oscar Boulton and dropped spare change. would place a bike on and it judges Dane Clarke worked together to how far you have ridden) raising organise a football tournament over £220. We cycled throughout Mollie’s mum came in as our with pupils in Years 7 and 8. the Saturday performance of professional hair dresser to Our House collecting donations cut the hair and we made the from those who were viewing “On the week beginning the announcement that Mr McDonnell the 2 shows. We also gathered 11th January 2015, we hosted a had raised the most money, Mr Hall sponsorship from students and football tournament for Years 7 had raised the second most and Mr teachers in school. We were and 8. The tournament would go Goodwin had raised third most, and cycling from 1 pm – 9 pm and were on for 4 weeks, during which there just able to hit our target. (The they had all volunteered to get their was a knockout round with the bottom number in the photograph

head shaved. In front of the crowd, is how far we have gone in miles eventual winners receiving a prize. they all had their hair shaved off and there is a decimal point) We raised £50 for Hope House and Mr Hornby volunteered to Our main success was the fact Hospice.” that our event was completely have his legs waxed so we did that Charles Langley organised by ourselves. By the while the head shaving was going time of our first business lesson on. After the event, we counted scheduled for planning, we had Finlay Mottershaw and his group the money and we had raised an already organised the venue, the showed that they were not afraid amazing £211! The event was a advertisement and received about of hard work by washing massive success and we were £50 in donations, paid before we teachers cars. all so happy with the amount of had even done the event. We were also able to achieve our people that donated and came The total amount raised so far is target of 100 miles within the to watch.” time limit we had set ourselves over £500! Well done to all the Gemma Hemens finishing at 9:15 pm.” pupils in Year 9 Lake and a big & Mollie Delves Sam Parsonage, thank you to everyone who has James Ellison generously supported & John Gornall their events. Spring Term 2016 17 past, Shrove Tuesday was a day for using up foods that could not be eaten during Lent. People often made pancakes with their leftover eggs and butter. In the Food Room at Christleton High School we always make sure we have enough ‘leftover’ eggs, flour, and milk for Pancake Day!

On Tuesday, 9th February 2016, we celebrated Pancake Day and there were 100 golden tickets available. Students and staff were once Lent is the time of year again encouraged to ‘impress’ when Christians prepare a DT teacher in order to receive for Easter. It begins on Ash one of these tickets. Winners Wednesday and lasts for 40 queued in the food room to cook days, ending at Easter. Some and eat a pancake. 100 pancake Christians ‘fast’ during Lent by chefs through the food room in giving up something that they 25 minutes. There was a great enjoy, such as a favourite food or a atmosphere and only two mini fires fun activity. In the days before Lent, (don’t panic!). All pancakes were Christians participate in festive eaten very quickly. Thank you to celebrations called carnival. The all those who took part. Here’s to festivities end with Shrove Tuesday, next year! ​​​ or Mardi Gras (‘Fat Tuesday’), the day before Ash Wednesday. In the Mrs Kelly 3rd Annual Pancake Making / Eating Relay

18 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Smile… Members of MACH from Years 10 to 12 were treated to an interesting, informative and entertaining talk on ‘life as a dental student’ on Wednesday, 3rd February 2016

Rebecca Davies, a second year student at Leeds MACH (Medical Association Christleton High) School of Dentistry, kindly agreed to come into was set up several years ago by ex-student Jack school to talk to the MACH group about her journey Parker who is currently studying medicine at so far. Areas of relevance and interest that Rebecca Keele University. The association aims, through talked about included: regular meetings and guest speakers, to support students thinking of pursuing a career as a health • Work experience & voluntary work professional or a vet. If you are a professional within • Writing her personal statement this field and have the time to come into CHS to speak to the MACH group then please email • The UKCAT test process Mrs J Parker on [email protected] • The interview process including traditional interviews and MMI (multi mini interviews)

Christleton’s Charity Refugee Collection Big congratulations to Emily Treloar, Matilda Watts, and Hope Sumner for leading Christleton’s Charity Refugee Collection. Thank you to all students, parents, and staff who kindly offered their support and generous donations. Spring Term 2016 19 He started entering competitions and through this came second place, which really helped to build confidence in himself, and proves that you don’t need to have lots of experience, as Richard is mainly self-taught!

Another way to get inspired is through experience. Julien went to Italy for a few years to explore the culture and inspiring architecture, which led to making a living through the work he does today. Many people worry that Colour they have started too late on in Me Creative Being an Kristina Webb is an artist from New Zealand. She is very famous through her Instagram, @ colour_me_creative, which has Artist!Throughout school, many life and are not good enough, but 2 million followers! She is very different people have fixed ideas you can learn and you don’t have good at spreading positivity and of what they want to achieve to be amazing when you start out. when they grow up, and when happiness, especially in her art. deciding many people look at Finally Julien told me that to She can relate to the problems their favourite subject. Many of achieve your dream you need to us aspire to be athletes, actors, be passionate about art or your of others and can connect with and artists! work, persevere no matter what them. Kristina’s art skills are and sometimes in life, you have I have spoken to some successful incredible, she is absolutely to love what you do and have artists who make a living from amazing at art. more fun! selling paintings, and these include Richard Twose and Gemma Hemens She has written a book called Julien Masson. “Colour Me Creative”. Her book To be an artist you have to be is an autobiography with 50 determined, have faith in yourself, creative challenges. Her book trust what you think, listen to your own advice, and love what you is great fun and full of creativity; do. Once you know that, you can the challenges are very fun and create whatever you want. interesting, they are great for When Richard was younger, Art practising your art skills and was the only subject that he really was interested in school; passing the time! he loved it. However, it wasn’t until two years ago that Richard However, you don’t have to be started earning a living as an good at art to use Kristina’s book artist. For years, he battled doing a variety of different jobs, such you can make your designs as as a builder, and working in a easy or hard as you like, you are Jeweller’s shop, which didn’t in charge! end well or he didn’t enjoy. So he turned to what he had loved since a child, art! Ellie Jones 8LA2

20 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Dürer’s Rhinoceros In Art, we are studying Dürer’s Rhinoceros. Albrecht Dürer made this woodcut print in 1515.

He based his print on a description and a quick sketch of an Indian rhinoceros drawn by an unknown artist, who saw the animal when King Manuel I of Portugal owned it. Dürer never saw the actual rhinoceros but he made his best interpretation of it.

The rhinoceros described to Dürer was the first example of this animal seen in Europe since Roman times. Dürer’s interpretation was not entirely correct but he did an excellent job and his image has become very famous all over the world.

Jess Gordon Year 8 Hot Scholar in Art

London Art Fair The London Art Fair was back again for another display of amazing artwork and talent. The 28th edition of the Fair took place from the 20th - 24th January 2016, at the Business Design Centre in Islington, London.

London Art Fair is the UK’s premier Modern British and Contemporary Art Fair. At the Fair, Modern British art is presented alongside contemporary work from today’s leading artists, and covers the period from the early 20th century to present day.

In addition to attending the main Fair, there were two further sections to discover, which focussed on younger galleries, new work, and contemporary photography.

This is an excellent opportunity to see some great art and learn about new contemporary artists, and the Fair is open to the public every year. The London Art Fair is a great day out for anyone!

Isabella Ford 9K1

Spring Term 2016 21 Street Art Portraits This year in Art we have been The second part of studying portraiture and how you the project was to can portray yourself through art in draw a self-portrait. We different ways. used charcoal and pencils proud to show different tones and because the At the start of the project, we textures. I have learnt so many new large scale drawing explored how to portray ourselves techniques and how to improve my was so much better, which showed through typography. I used bright skills for drawing facial features. I I’d learnt so much and improved. colours to show I am happy and was really happy with how it turned fun, and I made the letters stand To finish the final piece, we put our out and proud of myself as well. out in a big and bold way to get large portrait and our self-designed across that I am bubbly. I had lots We did two drawings, a large- name together. We mounted both of fun learning about typography scale one and a smaller version in onto cardboard and tore around the and creating my own; being able to our sketchbooks. When I saw the edges to give it a street art style. experiment with different colours, difference between my large-scale Holly Grainger 8LA2 styles and techniques. and my sketchbook portrait I was Kristina Webb An artist who inspires me

I have an inspiration and her of people watch her videos and name is Kristina Webb. Kristina is subscribe to her YouTube channel 20 years old and is an artist who shows that people worldwide love inspires young people to draw like her as much as I do. her and believe in themselves. She She has recently made a book, is from New Zealand and has been which is about her life and there are drawing from a very young age. drawing challenges inside. I would Her artwork and YouTube videos love to own it. If you are interested inspire me to make my drawings in getting involved in Art I would accurate. I have been drawing recommend that you read it too ever since I first saw her draw and because she is such an amazing love it. She is incredible. The fact inspiration. that thousands upon thousands Molly Clark 8BY2

22 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School How to create an EXPRESSIONIST

PORTRAIT Equipment and materials you’ll need:- • Large piece of card or paper • A pencil • A mirror • A colourful ink • Paint that is a contrasting colour to the ink • Paint brush • Pot of water

Steps to making your expressionist self-portrait:-

1) Place your piece of paper portrait and draw a large egg shape, similar to the shape of your head, to fill the page.

2) Fill your background (around the outside of your egg shape) with your ink.

3) Copy the guidelines from the image onto your own portrait; adding your nose, eyes and mouth onto your drawing too.

4) Draw your hairline and the rest of the hair, remembering that it is bigger than the egg shape.

5) Draw the neck remembering that it is wider than you think and starts from your ears.

6) Make a variety of tones with the paint; adding a little more white to the paint every time you want to make it lighter.

7) Start painting remembering to make blends and to paint directionally to emphasise the contours of your face.

8) Now add the details of your face such as freckles and the eyelashes and eyebrows; eyelashes are one shape and don’t need to be painted on as individual lashes.

9) If you want to, you can use laminates with white paint on to create a highlighted effect on your hair and eyebrows.

Here are examples of Expressionist Self-Portraits are by members of 8K2

Katie Leather 8K2 Hot Scholar in Art

Spring Term 2016 23 Art goes to Owl City On the morning of 16th December 2015, see, such as feathers from owls and a “It was gross but it was very cool representatives of the Cheshire Wildlife stuffed, fluffy barn owl. to see what the owls ate.” Trust visited Form 9By1 during their Art Will Robinson lesson. During the lesson, Robyn and The most interesting items that the Jan taught us about the 5 native owls visitors brought were owl pellets. Owl “It was very interesting and enjoyable that live in the UK. pellets are made from the leftover because we could do things we indigestible fur and bones that owls wouldn’t normally do in lessons.” Our new topic for Art is owls and here regurgitate after their bodies have Ellie Anstey was an interesting presentation on taken the nutrients they need from these birds of prey. There were many their food. We were able to dissect the “It was a great experience and I would different things to pellets, which made for an interesting like more visitors in all of our subjects” handle and activity that the class thoroughly Ted Williams enjoyed. Obviously, we were careful to do this under sanitary conditions. “It was good to be trusted to meet Ben Tyson 9BY1 visitors and do things we have never done before.” Here’s what others thought of the Zac Hall visit by Cheshire Wildlife Trust: “I liked the experience because I want to work with animals in the future and this was a very hands on experience.” Charlie Rudd

The visit Ben has described was the introduction to a project based learning experience in which 9BY1 will go on to use their artwork to raise funds for Cheshire Wildlife Trust

24 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School On 29th January 2016, Mr McDonnell and Miss Lawson took some of the girls who opted to do IT or Computer Science on a trip to the Barclays Innovation Centre. The first lecture was in the big hall and it was about Astrophysics.

Afterwards, we went to programme little robots; we used a programming software to programme the robots to move forward, backwards, left, and right. First, we programmed the robots to do a square and if you could do that then you were able to move on to other shapes such as a triangle, and a small or large circle. It was quite interesting getting to develop using the robots, they use sensors to detect the things around them, and finally we tried to make them follow a long black line.

Xsara Challoner is a student, who has opted for ICT or Computer Science. During the next activity, we had to design an electrical product that would help people in the future. There were Barclays many good ideas but Xsara was picked to present her idea in front of other schools with three other girls. Xsara Innovation had to present her product, which she did really well and after listening to the other presentations, the judges chose the winner and three runners-up. The Centre winner would win a pink tablet and the runners up got a memory stick. Xsara won the competition. Her idea was a mug that heats up water and you could add little capsules of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and other essentials.

Following that success, we then went -- ITIT GirlsGirls Allowed!Allowed! to a session on cryptography, which is a set of codes for working out phrases or puzzles set by the people running the session. We used different methods to create each phrase and managed to decrypt 19. We couldn’t win again though as 23 took the prize of a Rubik’s cube each.

Finally, we had a tour around the Barclays command centre where we saw what happens to everyone’s money and the different things that affect where it goes; it was a huge place and seemed really complicated. The day gave us an insight into a big company and was a really enjoyable experience.

Thank you to Mr McDonnell and Miss Lawson for taking us.

Louise Woollam & Laura Roberts Spring Term 2016 25 26 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Mrs Chapman and I were so impressed with the resilience of the Year 13 biologists this year. Despite timing our ecology field trip with storm Abigail – all students, without exception, were good humoured and focussed. Well done guys! Mrs Parker

No matter the weather, the biologists battle on!

What I enjoyed the most was applying what we learnt in lessons to real life situations – it really helped me to remember the techniques. Emma Brand

The tutoring from the centre staff was exceptional. We had ample opportunity to get help with anything we didn’t understand and it was taught in a very streamlined fashion. Cameron Mcclelland

Working with the freshwater organisms and using the specialist equipment and carrying out statistical analysis such as Spearman’s Rank really helped me to understand the principles of significance testing. This was useful in my recent mock exam. Tom Nicholls

There was a good variety of food choices, my favourite was meat ball bolognaise. We were able to make our own packed lunch and there was a hot drink and lovely cake waiting for us at the end of the day. Naomi Craig

The freshwater study enable me to practice my fieldwork techniques eg. kick sampling and invertebrate identification. This will help me with the ‘how science works’ questions in the exam. Andrew Tillotson

Spring Term 2016 27 Ready, steady...... COOK!

GCSE Food Technology Year 11 Final Controlled Assessment Practical All Year 11 Food Technology students complete a controlled assessment based on food product development. They all had to investigate bakery products and then, after several experiments and developments, they had to produce all components of the product from scratch and present the product to a high standard. These photographs show the students at work during their final practical exam and some of the high standard products created. Well done to all of Year 11. Mrs Kelly

28 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Sixth Former Vicki Gains Prestigious Airbus Placement

“Make It Possible… Make It Happen… Make It Fly…”

Congratulations to Year 13 student Vicki Maher for receiving the offer of a coveted work experience placement in July 2016 at Airbus in Broughton.

Vicki will be gaining valuable experience in the Business Support Functions: Communications Department thanks to the work of the Airbus UK Work Experience Team.

Here’s what she has to say about the opportunity: - “Having heard about the work experience opportunity from Mrs Varley, I thought it would be worth applying for Airbus, despite not having taken science for A-levels. Applying online is straight forward, so worth applying if you are interested. I have received a placement in the Business Support Functions & Communications Department, which should be interesting, especially since Airbus has a base in Toulouse and I hope to go on to study French as part of my degree.” Vicki Maher 13.4

Spring Term 2016 29 Harry Bibring is a living witness her removal from Vienna to a Harry Bibring of the holocaust and his story concentration camp where particularly complements the she was later murdered. – Last Witness work currently being undertaken in Year 9 students History lessons. Mr Bibring spoke of the huge need for schoolchildren to study the of the Holocaust Mr Bibring spoke in great detail events of the Holocaust and the about his life as a young boy in reasons why it was able to occur, On Thursday, 14th January 2016, pre-war Austria and the effects to prevent similar events from ever Harry Bibring, a survivor of the of the increasing persecution taking place in the future. Year 9 Holocaust visited Christleton and violence towards the Jewish showed their commitment to the High School. Both staff and community in Vienna. Harry was example set by Harry by promising students were invited to fortunate to be selected to be part never to discriminate against an listen to Harry’s story. of the “Kinder Transport”, a group individual or group on any basis. of around 10,000 young people who were taken by train from Some of the History “Hot Scholars” Austria, Germany and other were lucky enough to meet Harry Eastern European countries before he gave his presentation to Britain in 1938. to Year 9. Herbie Ennor (8K1) described the experience as On arrival in Britain, Harry “amazing”, Sahil Bareja (8K1) was placed with a foster family said, “it was very interesting to in Birmingham and later in learn about his life” and James Peterborough where he and his Richards (10K1) was “honoured sister grew up during World War to meet someone who had 2. Harry continued to write to suffered in the worst event his mother until he learned of in History, the Holocaust.”

The final designs were 3D shapes constructed from elaborate nets, which PRODUCT are on display in the Maths Department. The winners from each class were: Stirling Dilworth, Travis Johnson, Ben Griffiths, Molly Bowes, Tia Thomas, Ella Douglas, Eve Tingey, Wars Sophia Wade, Daniel Brown, In the run up to Christmas, Year 7 took Emma Powell, Katie Stanworth, part in a Maths project - Product Wars. Cerys Wojtan, Eleanor Bowdler, Their brief was to research and design Will Lloyd, Amber Bowerman, packaging for Christmas confectionary. Ellie Hamilton, Mia Ellams, With the aid of Nicola Tuffs from Tesco, Annie Taylor, Hayley McKean, Chester, the students conducted market Lauren Davies, Cori Caldecott Wright research in Tesco and presented their and Charlotte Parsons. findings using charts and graphs. Over the week, the students worked in After a convincing presentation and teams to compete eye catching final design, the overall for the best new school winners were the group ‘Stirling’ Christmas product (Stirling Dilworth, Travis Johnson, and to be displayed in Ben Griffiths). Tesco. The students will be rewarded with a visit to Tesco in Chester for a tour behind the scenes later this term.

30 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Building Journalism & Literacy Skills

Year 8 English Students Report on how the School Building Work Has Progressed Students in Mrs Bradshaw’s Year 8 The Builders have been very careful English class had the opportunity around classrooms but sometimes to interview Mr Lamberton to find it is quite noisy. The builders have out more about all the building been working on Christleton High work that has been taking place School since the middle of July. over many months before going Amy Kelly on to produce their own newspaper reports They are building new facilities on the progress so it looks nice when visitors come made. in to look at the school if their child is interested to go to this school. Here are some of Abdur Chowdhury their findings…

They should have been finished on Chester MP Stephen Mosley Congratulations must go to the 4th November 2015, it has taken said, “ Headteacher, Tony Lamberton and the them a bit longer to do it because they rest of the senior leadership team at found a problem or two and they will Christleton for leading the way and be finished by February half term. securing this fantastic investment.” Kiaran Coe Ethan Hayden We have spoken to some of the pupils here at Christleton High School. This is what they said, “The new upgrade looks very modern.” another said, “Hopefully the classrooms will be warmer”. Sophie Mason At Christleton High School, there has The students are really pleased with The Headteacher told us about been a lot of building work! Yes, it the design of some of the finished parts the process, “I am pleased with the of the school. They are still not pleased has been a hard job not just for the improvements and upgrades, they will with the noise and the distractions that are help the school for the future”, and he builders. We have had a lot of hard taking place. Mr Lamberton seems really work to do ourselves because we happy with all the work so far and the said “however, it is unfortunate that this has gone on for longer than have had to walk all around it. new builders, he can only apologise for the noise and distractions. first anticipated”. Anya Owen Sophie Foster Megan Williams After they finish with these building works, they are going to improve the Dining Room, the Sixth Form area, Science labs and the quad area. There will be outside seating with umbrellas for students to chill out in. Mi Kumdang

Christleton High School is slowly coming Mr Lamberton, Headteacher of together. Mr Lamberton says there will Christleton High School has spent be more space for the students to move around and that the investment will be about £3,000,000 on his school worth it. Once the school is finished, to make it look better and be hopefully the students and the more efficient with energy. staff will like the final layout. Caitlin Jones Owen Humber

Spring Term 2016 31 ‘

C 5 o Premiere of 1 m 0 e ’ 2 Din S e with Year 8 CH

The extremely successful ‘Come Thank you to Joe for all his Dine’ afternoon is now available for tremendous hard work in putting it view on YouTube. together (and to the tolerance of all those during filming!) Joe Bramall spent hours filming the event and then even longer editing Planning for Come Dine with me all the footage. 2016 will be starting soon…watch this space. It is highly recommended to view. You can find it from the link or Mrs Kelly by putting ‘Come Dine with Me Christleton’ into the browser. Camera Operator and Editor: https://www.youtube.com/ Joe Bramhall watch?v=mXXSn4mJrv4. Enjoy Producers: watching…it is a masterpiece! Mr Ives, Mrs Kelly and Mrs Edwards

32 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School gives you a picture of what’s going on. If to give the book more length. Overall, a you want to read it, you will definitely have good book, I would definitely recommend to to read Girl Online before Girl Online on readers from 10 to 110! Ben Griffiths Tour. It is full of detail, excitement, and some chapter endings are huge cliff hangers. Yasmin Sutton 7BY1 The Demon Dentist - 5 stars This is my favourite book. It is all about a new dentist that moves to a town. She is Girl Online - 5 stars not nice and goes into the main character When I first read Girl Charlie’s school to talk about the importance Online, I thought of keeping your teeth clean and healthy. it was a pretty Then she starts throwing sweets out to good book. all the children saying they were sugar It’s about a free. Really they were full of sugar, she just 15-year- wanted their teeth. Connor Linnane old blogger called Penny The Diary of a Wimpy Kid - 5 stars Porter who This is an awesome book; everyone I have travels to America spoken to loves it. My favourite characters because her mum has are Greg, Rowley, and Rodrick. They are to organise a wedding in part of a series of books that include Dog New York. There she meets Days and Rodrick Rules. Lewis Irvine American singer Noah Flynn, who has a secret that will ruin their friendship forever. I recommend that What A Carve Up by Jonathan Coe (1994) you read this book because if you like I took this book on holiday a few years romance novels, this book is just for you! ago knowing nothing about it other than Amber Jones the review snippets on the back cover (“A remarkable achievement; intelligent, funny, and important”). I have probably never read Twist of Gold - 5 stars a 500-page novel so quickly, thanks to its Twist of Gold is a great book. It is full of mix of humour, horror, and suspense. adventure, loss, and friendship. The book is about a 14-year-old boy and a 10-year-old The title comes from a 1960s Carry-On-style Reading girl, named Annie and Sean O’Brien, who film, which the narrator watched as a nine- is enjoyable travel from Ireland to try to find their father in year-old boy …before his mother decided it and important. America because their mother is dying and was unsuitable and dragged him screaming To celebrate all there would be no one to look after them. out of the cinema halfway through! Since On the way, they dig for gold, busk on the then he has been haunted by unfinished the reading we do in streets, and join a wagon train across the tales and obsessed by the image of the class, form and at home, prairies. This book is a great heart-warming film’s star, Shirley Eaton (better known as the we are introducing a book book, which I think is good for all ages. In victim spray-painted to death in the James review feature to The Swan. my opinion, it is one of Morpurgo’s greatest Bond movie, Goldfinger). books. Jayda Jones 7by2 Each edition will have reviews The narrator is now a novelist and is writing from our students and a special a biography of the Winshaw family. He guest reviewer; for our Spring Love Lessons - 5 stars gradually discovers how monstrous all the Edition we are pleased to have This book is an amazing story about crushes. family members really are and the book In more detail the book is based on a girl builds to its conclusion. Mr Francis reviewing What A called Prudence who is home schooled by Carve Up. Miss Edwards her dad until he is diagnosed with a stroke. If I say too much more I think it will spoil the Prudence and her younger sister Grace are enjoyment of anyone who has yet to read it. forced to go to a new school for a while. A word of warning; the chapter on Winshaw The Fault in Our Stars - 5 stars However, what will happen when Prudence family member Dorothy, who has made This book is really good and held me gets a crush on a teacher… guided for 12+ I her riches through intensive farming will spellbound for weeks. It is difficult to read rate this book. Katie Worthington make any meat-eaters seriously consider because it is very complicated and probably becoming vegetarian. The few pages on for older readers but I found it amazing and chicken farming and pig management easy just to fall into the world of Hazel and Harry Potter and the Deadly Hallows (“Porkers, the bacon curers; slogan: If It’s Gus. I recommend this book to everyone - 4.5 stars A Porker, It Must Be A Corker”) and how apart from anyone who doesn’t like sad This was an excellent book as there were ‘problems’ such as aggression, disease, and books. Tori Taylor some exciting bits and some funny parts. deformity are ‘solved’ make uncomfortable I especially liked the part where they reading. infiltrated the Ministry of Magic because Girl Online and its sequel it was intense and thrilling. In this book, The author’s best-known book, The Rotters’ Girl Online on Tour - 5 stars Harry, Ron, and Hermione set out to destroy Club is nearly as good, and was made into This is really good, and it is intriguing to Voldemort for good. Can they do it? There a television series a few years ago. What A read the sequel. It includes things that are is a twist around every corner and the story Carve Up! is the one to start with though, modern, such as social media etc., describes is exhilarating. However, I thought the and to enjoy as the realisation of the book’s the characters very well and every word camping chapters were long and drawn out title slowly dawns…! Mr Francis Spring Term 2016 33 Following the many people who completed the Duke of Edinburgh’s Bronze award, around 60 of the Year 10 students have now progressed to the Silver Award level. They took part in the training on the 30th January 2016 at Loggerheads, which is in the heart of the Clwydian Range, an Area of Outstanding Silver Natural Beauty.

When we stepped off the coach, it started Duke of Edinburgh at to snow! However, it wasn’t too cold as the sun was still shining. Then we met our leader, John, who took us on an adventure round Moel Famau. It had been raining over the past few days so it was really muddy and we all kept falling over, which would have been funny if L caught on camera.

John was a really good leader because he showed us how to o use maps, let us take photos, roll down hills, and even cross rivers and fords that crossed the trails. g Our favourite bit about the day was spending time with our friends and making many great g memories, whilst learning life skills that will help us during the Silver Duke of Edinburgh e expeditions. r h e a d s !

Molly Ellis & Annabel Page Year 10 34 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School At Mellors Catering Services, our British Development Chef and Nutritionist have been working hard in our development Biology kitchen to create a range of nutritious food concepts for our customers.

The first concept we are launching here Olympiad at Christleton High School is Street Food. The British street food revolution, starting A record 6,189 students from 582 schools with pop-up markets in the hippest took part in this year’s British Biology neighbourhoods of East London and the Olympiad (BBO) including seven of Christleton phenomenon has now spread nationwide High School’s A level Biology students. and we are seeing ‘street food’ dishes popping up at most popular restaurants.

The CHS Biology Olympiads were: Each day our menu features an exciting dish with tastes from around the world Kathryn Barker​ including Chinese noodle pots and Freya McConnell​ pulled pork rolls with spicy slaw. All of Blythe Walker​ the dishes are less than £2 and provide Tom Reynoldson student with a tasty lunchtime treat.

James Bagby​ We have also worked hard with our Dominica Sadzuk suppliers Pasta King to source a range of grab and go items called ‘Street Eats’ The BBO involves completing an online scientific which provide students with a nutritious paper and aims to challenge and stimulate students and healthy lunch for when they are on with an interest in Biology to expand and extend the move or short of time. their talents. In offering a wider syllabus than A level, Street Eats is an innovative range of it allows students to demonstrate their knowledge hot and cold, hand-held, food to go and encourages students already interested in this using authentic flavours and ingredients valuable, wide-ranging and rewarding subject to inspired by street food from around continue their study beyond A level. the world. From toasties and wraps to noodles and naans – the range was “The Biology Olympiad tested our knowledge of inspired by the growing demand for biology in every sense, most of it was knowledge I street food in the UK. haven’t got. In doing the test I certainly appreciate the spectrum of Biology a huge amount more. It’s We are aware that our students are exciting to see what Biology has to offer, maybe this constantly looking for innovation and we year we can answer questions that we didn’t even can guarantee that by serving these tasty know could be asked.” treats every lunchtime we will always have something exciting to offer for all Tom Reynoldson Year 12 tastes and customer needs. Spring Term 2016 35 Gym Dance Show 2016 The Annual School Gym and Dance show took place on the Thursday, 11th February 2016, and was even bigger and better this year, with & over 100 students taking part.

A huge variety of dancers from all ages took part; they were all magnificent in their execution. The gymnastics and dance groups seem to improve year on year and come up with so many great ideas both on the floor and on vault. The large audience were surely very happy with what they saw, so many people giving their all and working hard together.

Kelly Stevens in Year 13 has been superb over the last 4 years; she has taken part every year and choreographed many of the dances here tonight. I would like to wish her well for the future as she will be taking her A Levels in May and moving on with her education.

Well done and keep it going, same again next year everyone!

Mr Barton

36 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Gym Dance Show 2016

Spring Term 2016 37 DISCODISCO

Felix – “Great music to dance to, it was good fun.” Fun and laughter Vivianat the – “The School school Disco - Years 7 & 8 Yasmin – “It was great On Friday, 12th February 2016, Alex disco was great.” Coker organised a school disco for the fun with good music.” Year 7s and Year 8s in aid of the Borneo Katy – “The appeal. The disco was well attended We look forward to seeing you all again and all students had fun, the highlight of music was epic.” at our next disco and hope to exceed the night had to be ‘cream the teacher’. the £270 we raised.

38 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School A DBS Enhanced Certificate holder, he presents regular talks THE IS ! to primary and secondary schools, HEAT ON adult colleges, RSPB Groups, social and professional clubs. Brian has worked with Quark Expeditions, the in the Science Department! world’s leading polar specialist, as

On Friday, 15th January 2016, guest lecturer, Brian Anderson, delivered a riveting talk titled ‘The Heat is On’ to the whole year 10 cohort in our very own lecture theatre. This event was organised by the Chemistry Department to highlight the very current plight of our planet. This forms part of the GCSE Science courses in all the areas of Background Ship’s Photographer and Chemistry, Physics, and Biology: Brian Anderson is an award Lecturer on their polar voyages. winning photographer, adventurer, Brian also lectures and runs Chemistry: and educator based in Merseyside. courses on Wilderness, Wildlife, • Effects of Burning Fossil Fuels He has captured nature, travel and and Travel Photography at Adult • Advantages & Disadvantages landscape images from his trips to Colleges in Cumbria, Somerset, of Using Plastics over 55 countries and territories in and Northants. His images and Europe, Africa, Asia, South America, articles have also appeared on and further afield to Galápagos, into Physics: international websites and in the Arctic, the Geographic North • Damage to the Atmosphere UK photographic journals. • Effect of Global Warming Pole and the remote Antarctic Continent.

Biology: Through • Effects on Ecosystems andersonimages.co.uk • Endangered Species Brian offers Illustrated Talks based around Brian was particularly impressed these trips, so others with the level of questions that the can also ‘explore, students asked during the lecture experience and discover’ and their apparent enjoyment. the remarkable places There was definitely a lot of he has been fortunate awwwing when the pictures of the enough to visit over the cute baby penguins appeared on last 30+ years. the screen, followed by the baby polar bear learning to swim with his mum.

They say people grow to look like their dogs, but do people grow to look like their chickens!

Teacher’s Can you guess whom this hen lovingly named Chicken Nugget belongs? Pet Look through The Swan to find her owner!

Spring Term 2016 39 Cu Geography Student A t Abov e in Oliver hears from Bi olo World Famous gy Explorers! !

Year 7 Student, Oliver Nicholls, was so inspired by his Geography lessons that he decided to contact two of the world’s most famous explorers by writing to them. He was delighted when they both wrote back, answering his questions, and enclosing a signed photo each.

This is what I asked Sir David Attenborough: - 1.) What is your favourite country? My favourite country outside the UK is Northern Queensland.

2.) What is your favourite animal that you’ve encountered? The most fascinating animal I have encountered is the platypus.

3.) What’s the most poisonous tree/plant that you’ve encountered? The most poisonous plant I’ve seen is the Upas Tree.

This is what I asked Sir Ranulph Fiennes: - 1.) What made you want to go on expeditions? I wanted to be in the army as my job but couldn’t pass the correct exams so I decided to do expeditions instead.

2.) What was the hardest expedition you have been on? The hardest expedition that I have been on was crossing the Antarctic with Dr Mike Stroud because we had to pull very heavy sledges.

3.) What was your favourite expedition you’ve been on? My favourite trip was when we found the lost city because we had tried many times in over 26 years to find it!

I look forward to writing to more people who inspire us. Oliver Nicholls 7K2

40 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School A Cut A bove in Bio log y!

As part of our Biology AS course we I thoroughly loved dissecting the lungs gas exchange. We put the fish head learn about gas exchange surfaces in and getting stuck in. We managed to into a beaker of water to see how the large organisms, such as mammals, and see the bronchioles branching off from gills would look in their natural habitat. smaller organisms, for example, fish. the bronchi with their C-shaped rings of Dissecting the lungs and fish head cartilage; we could also see the spongy really increased my understanding of During our Biology lesson, we area, which makes up the alveoli - the the topic as I am a visual learner and dissected the lungs from a lamb, main place for gas exchange. benefit from experiencing things in enabling us to locate the trachea three dimension. and oesophagus, which were easily The dissection of the fish head enabled identifiable. With the dissection scalpel, us to see the gills, and understand how we were able to make accurate, deep the layers of gill filaments increase the cuts to explore inside the lung tissue. surface area, allowing a faster rate for Kelsey Walters Year 12

Spring Term 2016 41 Harry Potter and the Theory of Everything!

This article hopes to inspire you to aspire to study in one of “the cities of dreaming spires”.

Forget “Harry Potter World”, Matthew Arnold coined this phrase, Joel Diggory left Christleton in do you fancy spending three as a description of the city of 2012 and went to study English years studying at the real Oxford in the 19th century, and it and English Literature at St. John’s is equally applicable to the city College, Oxford. He graduated last Hogwarts’ set - Christ of Cambridge. Both are famous year with a first in English Language Church College, Oxford? for their 800-year-old universities and Literature coming third out of whose reputation for the pursuit the year of 247 students. Well, you will have to be of excellence is global. Oxford a wizard at your chosen University has 38 Colleges and “I think I’ll be doing a Masters in discipline and be among Cambridge University has 31 American Literature at Cambridge colleges. Individuals associated starting this autumn. I’ve just had the brightest and the most with Cambridge have won 89 an academic article on the fiction proven academically able Nobel Prizes in all six disciplines of Philip Roth published in a U.S. students in your year. covering Physics, Chemistry, journal, ‘Philip Roth Studies’, and Peace, Literature, Physiology, and am currently doing some part-time Maybe, you would like to Medicine. Cambridge also claims tutoring for English in International follow in the footsteps of the most Nobel Prizes in Physics Baccalaureate and for A Level at 29 in total, though Oxford has English Literature students. I am Stephen Hawking or Eddie produced the most Prime Ministers. also in early stages of writing Redmayne who both went a play! It won’t be finished for to Cambridge, and explore This year, we have five students another year and I’ll probably its bridges, river, colleges who have been offered places to be doing a small bit of travelling and in theory, everything! study in one of these prestigious around America this summer.” universities. This is a school record. I have been in contact with several former Christleton students who were successful in taking up their offers to study at either Oxford or Cambridge to ask them what their experience has been like and what advice they would offer to future prospective students.

42 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School My highlights include touring At Cambridge, you have a lot of Europe in yellow stockings as contact hours, many of which are Malvolio in ‘Twelfth Night’, taking in very small groups or individual part in sketch shows with the tutorials, enabling you to gain Footlights and acting in over 20 much more from your time. I learnt other shows. This summer I’m more in my first year at Cambridge lucky enough to be taking ‘As You than I ever thought was possible! Like It’ and some educational The Cambridge timetable is very workshops to the USA and the intense; however, I have managed Caribbean. to do lots of extra activities...though my free time is now non-existent! In my spare time, I study English Literature and Education! This I am captain of St. Catharine’s is hugely varied and means that Women’s Hockey Team, currently in just one term I can write on the best college hockey team in practical criticism, film and visual Cambridge. I also play both mixed culture, modern drama and and ladies’ netball and row in the poetry, sociology, philosophy, First Women’s Boat for my college. Ben Walsh was in the same enlightenment thinking and When I joined Christleton High year as Joel, but took a year globalisation. It’s then great to School, I never imagined that it out before taking up his place at move from the abstract to think would lead me to study at one of Homerton College, Cambridge to about very relevant areas in the best universities in the world. read English and Education Studies. education - development, creativity, It has been the most amazing social-mobility, and inclusion - from opportunity and one I know will “I’ve had a fantastic few years all sorts of angles. help me to succeed in the future.” here, dedicating far too much time to Amateur Dramatics at the I have also been in a couple of Rory Evans is currently at New ADC Theatre - where hundreds of shows with Carol Ann Duffy’s College, Oxford studying Physics. students share their remarkable daughter, so the Poet Laureate technical and creative skills to put occasionally buys me gin.” “Simply put, my time at Oxford on near-professional productions. has been some of the best of It’s a hugely exciting and addictive my life. I’m here studying for a place to be, surrounded by people Master’s degree in Physics and who you know will go on to am currently in the last year of the become big names: Ian McKellen, course, working on an independent Emma Thompson, Stephen Fry, research project. The project itself Tilda Swinton and Sam Mendes is to do with satellite measurements all began their careers here, of the moon, using real data from to name a few. a detector built here in Oxford, and Top: Ben Walsh, from currently still in orbit. Throughout footsteps to Footlights. my degree I have been constantly pushed Left: (L to R) Rory, Amy, Anna Faulkner is in her second to achieve the best Jack, and Joel during year Chemical Engineering I can, and a huge matriculation outside the main court of St course at St Catharine’s College, part of that is being Catharine’s College. Cambridge. able to interact with people who Right: Anna Faulkner “Cambridge is an amazing place are at the top of outside St Catherine’s to study as you are surrounded their field. However, College. by like-minded people and taught I almost didn’t by professors who are passionate even apply. about their subject. The facilities at Cambridge, especially for science students, are amazing and the opportunities you are offered are unique.

Spring Term 2016 43 I only confirmed my application which I’m sure is one of the few places “My final academic year has been the day before the Oxbridge early where you can see a group of people solely devoted to a research project deadline, having just been given cycling along in white tie and academic in the area of organic chemistry, enough confidence in myself by my gowns, followed by another group developing methods which can be teachers, and the other students who dressed as Teenage Mutant Ninja used to synthesise drugs in the future. were applying. I had never thought Turtles! Each eight week term is an Outside the lab, I row and play football that I was good enough to study here. intense burst of lectures, tutorials, as for my college. Oxford has been an Clearly, I was wrong, and because I had well as quirks such as dining in halls, amazing environment to live and study written my application early, I was able “bops” in the college bar and a few in for the past three and half years.” to switch to Oxford at the last minute. strange events involving Latin which Besides the work, which although you don’t quite understand, but which Olivia Jones fulfilling can be tough, I have really are quite good fun anyway. is currently enjoyed the atmosphere of Oxford. in her third Entering into the college system There is a huge range of extra- year at Oxford straight away gave me a home from curricular activities on offer, so I joined reading English home and sense of family that I will the Beginners’ Ballroom Dance Team, Language and retain past graduation. The friendships the Harry Potter Society and - despite Literature. I’ve formed, I will also keep for life, having previously said that I had no and there’s a real ethos of work hard, interest in it - I learnt to row. I would “I am studying at St Hugh’s College, play hard, with a huge amount of non- definitely never have considered originally a women’s only college academic things to do. From sports getting into a rowing boat if I hadn’t which now takes both men and clubs to film societies and discussion been in Oxford, but here, the sport’s women. It’s a college with a history groups, there’s something for popularity and large subsidies mean of inclusivity and equality so the everybody. My own particular interest that it is very easy for newcomers to tutors make sure it’s a place where is a Science Fiction group, something get involved. Now, in my fourth year, I everyone feels welcome, whatever your that I have been able to help organise am Vice President of my college Boat background. I have really enjoyed my and run in my spare time. Club and it has become an important time at Oxford: it certainly is hard work part of my university life. but it’s also a really rewarding and Despite my reservations at the stimulating place to study. Oxford is beginning, at the end of my degree, I Funnily enough, I have also had to put also a fantastic place to live as there hope to finish with a first class. Given up with a few problem sheets, labs, is always something going on; I play the enjoyment of my research project, presentations, reports and exams for in a band, take French lessons and go afterwards I plan to continue studying the MPhys course. In first year, my to the theatre, as well as socialise with and working with space technology, time was divided equally between friends. If I was to advise someone and am currently applying for a PhD Physics and Mathematics (for which I thinking of applying, I would say”, Go or job which will allow me to design would strongly recommend taking A for it!” There is nothing to lose, and and test satellite technology. It’s a bit Level Further Maths) then, after this, the benefits of Oxford: one-on-one of a cliché, but studying at Oxford is a wide range of topics in Physics is tutorials, amazing libraries, world allowing me to fulfil a childhood dream comprehensively covered. There is class professors, should speak for of becoming a rocket scientist.” some choice along the way - I opted themselves.” to do a module in French in my second Amy Hughes is currently at University year - but the main specialism is in College, Oxford studying Physics. the fourth year. After having the opportunity to work at the National “After taking the PAT (Physics Physical Laboratory last summer, on Admissions Test) in 2011 and thinking a project involving lasers and optical that was the end of my chances of fibres, I have chosen to study lasers, going to Oxford, I was surprised and quantum information processing and excited to be offered an interview and condensed matter physics (a lot of subsequently a place at University which I had not even heard of when I College for 2012. Since then, I’ve had started the course). I am also enjoying Our Oxford hopefuls an amazing three and a half years working on my Master’s research in a beautiful location; if you are project with a leading academic in the (L to R) Meredydd, considering applying and are willing field, so I am hoping to start a PhD next Jemima, to work hard, it’s a crazy, intense, but year, based on quantum technologies.” brilliant experience. Harry, My first year college room was above Jack Chapman is currently in his Saleem the oldest coffee shop in England and fourth year reading Chemistry at Christ and Tasneem looked out over Oxford’s High Street, Church, Oxford.

44 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School So, what of our Oxbridge I am hoping to read English, so I found own age, from all backgrounds, all the prospect of writing a personal as nervous as you are, (some more hopefuls? Harry Hatwell has statement, which is likely to be pulled so), in a beautifully historic college been offered a place to read apart by experts of literature and and city, meant that the day was a language, fairly daunting. Trying to unique experience, something not Law with French Law at St. include everything you’d like to say only intellectually testing but also about your favourite novels and poems, exciting. The build-up, and a day of John’s College, Oxford, and your hobbies and interests, and your two interviews and a test, was a scary Saleem Rizvi has been offered academic subjects, in an intellectual process at times, but it also gave me way, within 4,000 characters, proved confidence in several ways. Never a place at Wadham College, challenging, but after numerous have I had an interview of such length Oxford to read French and drafts, it was completed and my UCAS and depth, and never have I been application sent off. With the help of asked, or been able to attempt to Linguistics. Cambridge my teachers, sending off my university answer such probing questions. Nor have I shared such an experience University has offered places application was not as disconcerting as I first thought. It is in fact rather with a group of people who were to Meredydd Jones to read the opposite and generally an all so different, despite sharing a exciting time of the year. common goal. Science at Jesus College, Tasneem Bawendi intends to I received my invitation for interview Applying to Cambridge University at Cambridge several weeks before has expanded my way of thinking, my take up her place at Girton the date and the experience of the debating skills, and I feel has generally prepared me well for later life. It feels College to read Computer preparation, and the actual interviews, is something I wouldn’t change, intimidating to apply, and I did spend Science, in 2017, and Jemima regardless of the outcome. I had a most of the time saying, “I’m applying, couple of practice interviews with but I won’t get in”, but so, I expect, did Gosmore, who has been teachers, which were engaging and the majority of the applicants. It has offered a place to read English interesting – not as frightening as I been an invaluable experience, not just originally thought. Cambridge proved intellectually but also personally, and I at Trinity Hall College. rather much the same. Arriving at am so glad that Christleton encouraged Trinity Hall College I was met by a me to apply: to receive an offer, really is testament to the support you range of friendly faces including my receive whilst in the Sixth Form.” We asked Jemima to write interview guide, a second year student, who ensured that I arrived at each about her journey from first Don’t be put off from applying because interview and test room, promptly. you think that the place is full of Everyone at the college was incredibly thoughts to the process “snobs” – it is! The word actually approachable and helpful, and despite originated at Oxford. It started off of applying and being it being fairly nerve-wracking to begin as an abbreviated form of the Latin with, the experience turned out to be interviewed, before receiving phrase “sine nobilitate”, which means an enjoyable one. Whilst a few of the “without nobility”. Ironically, this means her offer. This is her story. questions were rather challenging, that these seats of highest academic (and often spontaneously sprung achievement and success have always – one minute you’re talking about tried to offer their opportunities to those Dickens, the next the Twilight saga), “At first, I was apprehensive about without power, status, and titles. If you applying to Cambridge; I believed it the interviewers are keen to help you meet the academic profile and criteria, to be a university which wasn’t really and by the end of the twenty minutes I the university offers the course you for people like me, an institute which left feeling that I’d had an intellectually most want to pursue, and structures it demanded you have a track record interesting conversation, with someone in a way that best fits your approach to of perfect grades. Whilst it does take who really wanted to know more about learning, then, clearly, it should be one a lot of hard work to secure good me. Following the first interview, the of your possible options – they need enough grades, the myth that you nerves began to fade, and I found and want people like you! need to be an academic superhuman that the questions weren’t there to to apply to Cambridge really is false. test whether you knew every single Just a final word of warning: if you are Being the first in my family to apply for technical term for your subject, but a successful applicant and you want to university, I was initially unaware of were for quite the opposite purpose. take all your home comforts with you, how to apply to any higher education They allowed you to discuss your own learn from the poet, Lord Byron, who course, let alone Oxbridge. When my interests, and to debate alongside went to Trinity College, Cambridge friends and teachers first asked me a very knowledgeable professor – in 1805. Allegedly, he resented the whether I would apply to Oxbridge, daunting, but interesting. college rules that would not let him my initial reply was a fairly confident, keep his beloved dog Boatswain with “probably not”. However, following In addition to the challenge of the him. As the college had no rules about some encouragement and research, interview, the full day at Cambridge students keeping other animals, they aided by my teachers, I decided to give was an enlightening experience. didn’t have a legal basis to tell him to Cambridge a go – and I’m so glad I did. Being among a group of people your get rid of his bear!

Spring Term 2016 45 “Crashing Out With Sylvia(n)…” “Drive-In Saturday” from “Aladdin Sane” (1973) News from Sylvia Wood, our Pathway Careers Advisor… “Ground Control to Christle-ton… Take your protein pills and put your helmet on!” Hello Spaceboys (and girls)

Sylvia ‘Ziggy’ Wood here, the original “Lass Insane”, and the Space Race and Pathway Careers Advisor for Christleton High School. I am based here at Christleton High School every Thursday and since September I have now met individually with over 150 students from Year 9 upwards to discuss future pathways choices and the Ch-ch-ch-changes that lie ahead.

You may be wondering what the format is when students come to see me for information, advice and guidance. I aim to provide a service to meet the needs of each individual but each meeting will normally proceed as follows: -

• Welcome and brief introductions • Summary discussion of where the student is in his or her thinking • Exploration of the choice of options ahead • Next steps in terms of actions and how to proceed • Follow-up meeting arranged where appropriate

Within a week of the meeting, I will email a short one-page summary so that students and school have a record of what was discussed and the steps identified.

Any student who wishes to meet with me for help, support, advice, or guidance related to careers and future pathways can make an appointment to see me through Mr Francis or Mrs Varley. I will also be available at most Parents’ Evenings at school and appointments to meet me can be arranged for this as well. I can also be contacted directly at [email protected]

Many more students have been keen to find out more about apprenticeship opportunities. I have included an Apprenticeship Checklist in this edition of the Swan magazine, which may be of interest.

You might also enjoy the Bowie Blockbusters quiz and finding out more about any of the occupations by using the U Explore website: www.u-xplore.com/website/

I look forward to getting to know even more of you over the months ahead.

Sylvia Wood Pathway Careers Advisor 46 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Bowie Blockbusters Can you work out the Bowie song each of the following occupations might sing at work? The initial letters of each song title are given as a clue. Look through The Swan to find the answers.

What... Song initials ...does this occupation...... sing at work?

1 SO ASTRONAUT

2 LD CHOREOGRAPHER

3 H ARMED SERVICES

4 CG CERAMICS MAKER

5 SM HORROR CGI EFFECTS

6 SAV TELEVISION DIRECTOR

7 STS TRAIN DRIVER

8 WITW METEOROLOGIST

9 WOAW AIR CABIN CREW

10 S POLICE DOG TRAINER

11 F CLOTHES DESIGNER

12 ATYD PRIMARY SCHOOL TEACHER

Want to know the answers to the questions below about any of the occupations shown, and hundreds of others? Check out www.u-xplore.com/website

For hundreds of occupations and careers find out: • What’s it all about? • What would I do? • Money and perks? • Hours and conditions? • What will I need? • What ICT will I use? • How do I get in? • Top Tips? • Useful stuff to know?

Spring Term 2016 47 Christleton’s Two

Apprentices2. What inspired you to enter into After my apprenticeship finishes I want James Penney and an apprenticeship and how did you to apply for university and study for a Cara Evans are both decide on which agency you wanted policing, law and investigation degree. to work with? I’ve made my mind up to join the enjoying their 12-month After my two years of college I had Police Service. apprenticeship placements a slight change of mind and decided I wanted to work in IT. As I had My opinion on apprenticeships is that here at Christleton heard from an external speaker that they are a great way to gain work High School came to my college to speak about experience and earn some money. apprenticeships I thought they sounded They are also great if you don’t know As well as many of our own Year 11 like a great way to get experience what you want to do for your future and Year 13 students considering and get money at the same time. To career. An apprenticeship will give you apprenticeship opportunities, we have get my apprenticeship I went on the the time to think about what you want. enjoyed having two young apprentices ‘Apprenticeship vacancies marching I would say if you don’t know what to from elsewhere making a really service’ website and on there they do, then pick an apprenticeship that will valuable contribution to the life of the had a huge list of all the interest you. My second career choice school during their placements with us. apprenticeships going. was always IT so I thought if I did this apprenticeship I may end up finding James Penney and Cara Evans 3. How have you found making such a that I want to do something with IT. answer some questions about how quick transition from being a they decided upon taking up their school student to being a If you don’t know what to do then apprenticeships and talk about the member of school staff? getting some work experience is better benefits of getting paid to continue To go from student to a member of than sitting at home doing nothing. learning new skills and gain additional staff I don’t think it was too difficult Experience will count towards anything qualifications: - especially as the school’s students are you do in your future. all polite and respectful. It has been quite an experience because as a student I used to say I’d never work in a school but I can honestly say it has been a great place to work and I would definitely work in a school again.

4. What have been your most fun or surprising experiences working at Christleton High? I thought working in a school would be quite boring and dull just like when I studied at school (bear in mind I didn’t study at Christleton!), James Penney: but it has been a ICT Systems and Principles great experience with surprises around 1. What did you do after Year 11 every corner to prove and what career path did you me wrong. I think the have in mind? students and staff have When I finished Penketh High School been great to work with. at the age of sixteen I joined Priestly College in Warrington and chose 5. What advice would to study Level 3 Uniformed Public you give to any Services (a two-year course equivalent students who are to two A levels), I chose this because I considering doing wanted I wanted to join the an apprenticeship Police Service. following their A Levels? 48 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Cara Evans: 3. How have you found making such 5. What advice would you give Business Administration a quick transition from being a school to a student who is considering student to being a member of the doing an apprenticeship 1. What did you do after Year 11 school staff? following their A Levels? and what career path did you It was definitely foreign to me, but both Do your research. For me it was have in mind? staff and students have made me feel important to know exactly what I would I studied Politics, Business Studies and very welcome. Sometimes I feel out of be getting out of my apprenticeship Sociology at AS Level. I had no idea my depth but there is always someone I and what coursework would be what career path I wanted, which made can go to for help and guidance. It was expected from me. I spent a lot of time choosing topics to study difficult and strange being on the other side and researching the course and reading being focused on them even harder. being able to see the work that goes through various forums. Choosing an into different events etc. that I didn’t apprenticeship means dedicating your 2. What inspired you to enter into see whilst I was student. time and energy, which will be hard if an apprenticeship and how did you you don’t choose the right one for you. decide on which agency you wanted 4. What is your favourite part of to work with? your apprenticeship? I had never really heard of The staff and students, definitely. apprenticeships other than manual Being able to interact with people labour ones. I began looking online from different backgrounds and ages for full time jobs as I felt that college is gratifying. Finding a workplace with was not for me, I stumbled across such a positive vibe and a place that Total People and read up on what an you actually enjoy waking up for is hard apprenticeship consisted of. When I so I think I’m lucky in that respect, I’m discovered that I could gain experience, surrounded by people that make each numerous qualifications whilst also day different. earning some money I thought it was a no-brainer.

Why Work Experience Really Matters…

Work experience and volunteering When asked which three things Work Experience are valued far more than other they looked for in a successful and Volunteering types of extracurricular activity in applicant, 92 per cent of university a survey of university admissions staff cite academic grades, followed are valued far more officers. They trump the Duke of by an interest in the course or Edinburgh’s Award, playing in a university (60 per cent) and the than other types sports team, learning a musical core subject (25 per cent). Almost instrument, acting in a school play all, however, say they looked of extracurricular or travelling overseas. for evidence of a candidate’s extracurricular activities in their activity in a survey University staff also predict personal statement and 58 per of university that the “soft skills” gained cent say this has become more from extracurricular activities important in the past decade, admissions will become more important in especially when choosing between helping them to choose between applicants with similar grades on officers… applicants after A level reforms oversubscribed courses. are introduced. Admissions tutors say that the “decoupling” of AS It is the holy grail of all ambitious Asked which types of activity added levels from A levels and the switch teenagers and conscientious Sixth to end-of-course exams after two most value, the most commonly Form tutors: inside knowledge on years will make it more difficult for cited is work experience, at 92 how to submit a perfectly crafted them to rely on grades alone. The per cent, followed by regular university application. The answer, study, based on responses from 63 volunteering, at 68 per cent. it seems, is simple. In addition to university admissions teams, was good grades and an interest in their conducted for World Challenge, chosen degree course, applicants a company that organises should try to get work experience school expeditions abroad. It linked to the subject they want to also surveyed 350 students study. If this proves too difficult, and interviewed Heads of Sixth regular voluntary work is the next Form and university Directors of best way to stand out. Admissions. Spring Term 2016 49 Sixth Form Enabling Students to Become Ready for Work, Further or Higher Education: We aim to help students make informed decisions about their life after the Sixth Form. Some students will have a clear idea about their future plans, others will have no idea at all and most will be somewhere in between. It is important to have an open mind and explore the options.

During Year 12, we provide a range of information, advice, and guidance Autumn Term... Spring Term... Summer Term... to students so that they have the All students have been opportunity to be fully aware of the vast given the opportunity to array of options and the different routes register with UNIFROG - an that are available to them. Ultimately, it online research tool based Parents Meeting to Initial talks on Oxbridge & is the student who needs to make the on the student’s interests outline the UCAS Russell Group universities decision about their future Pathway; and linked to School process it needs to be informed, realistic, and Leaver Programme, live every aspect thoroughly prepared if Apprenticeship vacancies, the outcome is to be successful. and all HE courses. Students have been It is not just about academic results: Information sessions given information about work experience and evidence of for those interested in Centigrade: an interest- “soft” skills such as communication, Medicine, Dentistry, based questionnaire UCAS Convention in decisiveness, team working, Veterinary Science and that matches a student’s June 2016 leadership, flexibility, commitment, Professions Allied to interests and abilities creativity, problem solving, time Health with HE courses and management, and dealing with institutions. Fee payable. pressure are also essential in the both the modern work place and Information talks on Apprenticeships at the Higher Education. The National Information sessions end of Years 12 or 13; Careers Service Website provides for those interested in Apprenticeship schemes; Year 12 Careers some useful guidance: primary and secondary Oxbridge; Russell Group; Conference nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/ education careers in Science, Engineering and Finance; In addition to Careers Interviews with and an open session. Sylvia Wood, which are available throughout the year, our information, Form activities to gain experience and build advice, guidance and support for Year Information on up and We hope to run a mock confidence with public 12 includes (Please see table on right): coming Apprenticeships interview day in July speaking and speaking to unfamiliar people We plan to set up and run a mock interview day with Year 12 students in Highlighting experience July to give them some practice selling opportunities such as their key attributes in a formal situation HeadStart for STEM and to get some feedback on how to subjects; Nuffield Individual meetings with Writing CVs and improve their personal projection. Research Projects; students post mocks personal statements We would love to hear from any MEDLINK; UNIQ Summer parents or employers who would be Schools; Sutton Trust willing to volunteer for a few hours to University placements give Year 12 students a one to Medical work experience For Art & Design: Design one mock interview. opportunity at the Your Future UCAS Event Applying to UCAS Countess/ Wrexham in Manchester If you are interested, please contact Maelor Mrs J Brown, Sixth Form Administrator. Email: [email protected] Regular MACH (Medical Association of Christleton High) meetings with external speakers 50 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Students Switched On to Apprenticeships in IT

Did you know that you can earn while you learn by completing an IT apprenticeship..?

A small group of students in Years 11 and 12 took the opportunity to attend a lunch-time presentation from Stephen Preyzner, Autumn Term... Spring Term... Summer Term... Business Resource Manager at Baltic Training Services earlier this term. All students have been given the opportunity to Here’s what a couple of them thought of the experience: - register with UNIFROG - an online research tool based Parents Meeting to Initial talks on Oxbridge & on the student’s interests outline the UCAS The talk helped clear up the differences between universities and apprenticeships. It also helped Russell Group universities and linked to School process show how going for an apprenticeship most likely secures a future job and leads on to a healthy Leaver Programme, live career. Matt Swinnock Apprenticeship vacancies, and all HE courses. The IT Apprenticeship talk cleared up many misconceptions I had about apprenticeships. I thought Students have been Information sessions given information about it would mean low wages and time issues but instead I learnt that I could earn money while I am for those interested in Centigrade: an interest- gaining the equivalent of an A level and then move onto a foundation degree. Adam Sinclair Medicine, Dentistry, based questionnaire UCAS Convention in Veterinary Science and that matches a student’s June 2016 Professions Allied to interests and abilities Many thanks to Stephen Preyzner for delivering such a useful session. Health with HE courses and Further details on becoming an IT apprentice can be found on the institutions. Fee payable. Baltic Training Services website: Information talks on Apprenticeships at the baltictraining.com Information sessions end of Years 12 or 13; for those interested in Apprenticeship schemes; Year 12 Careers primary and secondary Oxbridge; Russell Group; Conference education careers in Science, Engineering and Finance; and an open session. Form activities to gain experience and build Information on up and We hope to run a mock confidence with public coming Apprenticeships interview day in July speaking and speaking to unfamiliar people Highlighting experience opportunities such as HeadStart for STEM subjects; Nuffield Individual meetings with Writing CVs and Research Projects; students post mocks personal statements MEDLINK; UNIQ Summer Schools; Sutton Trust University placements Medical work experience For Art & Design: Design opportunity at the Your Future UCAS Event Applying to UCAS Countess/ Wrexham in Manchester Maelor

Spring Term 2016 51 Sylvia’s Apprenticeship Checklist You need to go through several stages when applying for apprenticeships:

You need to draw up a list of firms you want to apply to: • Sylvia’s apprenticeship list (those firms who recruit apprentices yearly) a mix of engineering, business, finance, construction etc. (Highlight those firms you want to apply to.) • You may hear from family and friends that there are apprenticeships where they work. • Or you may find that there are small/medium size firms you would like to apply to. Get a list from www.yell.com and talk to your family about them.

Research the employers: • Visit their websites and look for information about their apprentice training, how to apply, closing dates, tests. • Read their instructions about what you need to do e.g. fill in an online application form, send a copy of your CV etc. • Visit www.gov.uk/apprentices and search for vacancies weekly. Apply for any you are interested in... the website will tell you whether you need to apply through them or will direct you to the employer’s website. • Register on the Training Provider’s websites so they will contact you if they have any apprenticeship vacancies (see below).

Get ready to apply: • Gather information about you – work experience, part time jobs – employers; starting and finish dates. • Create a CV for the different type of apprenticeship you are applying for. You may be asked to upload this onto the employer’s website so be prepared. • If you are sending a speculated application (ie you are hoping that the firmmay be recruiting) you will need to send a letter with your CV.

Record: • Information - Name of firm you apply to, contact details, dates you applied etc. so you know where you are up to with your applications and who you need to follow up.

Keep checking the websites and the dates as not all employer recruit as the same time e.g. Bentley Motors recruit March to May!

• Around March you may find that there are more vacancies on www.gov.uk with medium and smaller firms. • Keep checking on who you have applied to; heard from and need to contact etc.

If you are invited to sit an aptitude test for Engineering apprenticeships please contact Sylvia on woods@ christletonhigh.co.uk You are unlikely to get an interview if you do not pass the test!

Useful websites:

• www.nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk • www.gov.uk/apprenticeship • www.allaboutschoolleavers.co.uk • www.remit.co.uk • www.nwtc.co.uk • www.indeed.co.uk • www.totalpeople.co.uk

Please contact Sylvia for websites for specific jobs, apprenticeship titles, and training providers.

52 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School The Swan was Designed+Printed by

Creative U-xplore... Students Explore Their Future Pathways Graphic U-Explore: the Interactive careers education site available for students and parents Design

U-Explore offers a wealth of information, advice, and ideas and can be used to find more about:

•​ Careers, Information, Advice and Guidance • Print • ​Year 9 Pathways • Promotions • ​Work Experience preparation •​ Post 16 Options • Creative Graphics •​ Apprenticeships, BTECs and other vocational qualifications

U-Explore focuses on the main industry sectors of work, linking students to the business community and also providing an insight into different working environments, through 360° virtual, interactive tours Cheshire’s Creative and video clips. Social Enterprise

U-Explore really helps to raise awareness of what opportunities are available in a particular sector and what skills and qualifications students will need to get a job in that area. Part of the Winsford U-Explore has videos of real people working in their chosen fields and practical tips on how students can reach their goal. based charity The

Students and Parents: How to Sign Up in Five Simple Steps... NeuroMuscular Centre,

1. Go to www.uxplore.com and click on Register all profits go towards

2. Type in the brief details About You supporting our vital work. and create your Login Information

3. Select Cheshire West; Chester; Christleton High School Contact Alison Evans 4. Type in the school Registration Code: 40329 01606 863464 [email protected] 5. When redirected to the start page enter your login information nmcentre.com and click Go! Spring Term 2016 53 Vauxhall Motors Football Academy

Did you know that you can combine playing top-level football with studying for an academic qualification?

Following a presentation from Vauxhall Motors at school earlier this term, Mark Goldthorpe, Year 11 student, attended a half term event at Vauxhall Motors 3G facility. Here is how he got on: -

On Wednesday, 17th February 2016, I visited Vauxhall Motors Football Academy Open Day as another option for me after Year 11.

Upon arrival, I was greeted by Jason who co-ordinates the educational side of the BTEC course and Keith who handles the more practical side. They started by detailing what our expectations should be if we were to choose this Academy as the next step in our educational journey. We were shown what our weekly timetable would be and what previous students are doing now, having completed the two-year qualification.

Expecting an approach that playing was key, it was interesting to learn that the academic side was equally as important, if not more so, with students being removed from the teams for not reaching the necessary levels or falling behind in terms of their work. Students have used this course as a stepping-stone to other football related careers for example coaching, physiotherapy, and sports journalism. For those on the course, opportunities have arisen such as playing for National Teams and attaining American Scholarships.

Despite the rain, we were then invited to play as a group, mixing with players from both the elite and development squads, on the 3G pitch. Although primarily to assess our abilities and get to know how each other played, it also provided us with the opportunity to meet the students already studying there and ask for their opinions, together with seeing their skills up close.

A debrief finished off the visit with the opportunity to complete applications to reserve a place on the course for those that were interested and to ask any additional questions.

Mark Goldthorpe 11By1

54 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Calling all Year 10 Students... Work Experience week is just six months away! Work Experience: Monday 24th to Friday 28th October 2016

• The week before October half term is • A list of some possible placement options Work Experience week; this means that is available on the PATHWAY section of our Year 11 students (our current Year 10) school website; this shows over 120 will be off-timetable for the week and be different employers who have been happy able to get valuable experience of the to host placements in previous years. world of work and a possible future career. • All students should now be registered with • Recent research has shown that in a U-Explore www.uxplore.com and can use highly competitive jobs market relevant this to find out more about careers of work experience can make a big interest. difference to students’ employability. • The most useful placements are those Work Experience also helps with future that have some relevance to a possible decision making about careers; students future career, so it is worth considering can understand work likes and dislikes carefully what is most appropriate. Any better, learn about an occupation and students who may find difficulty finding decide whether it is for them. something appropriate should contact • So that students are able to gain a Mrs Karen Varley, our work experience placement that best matches their coordinator in the school office as she interests and possible future career should be able to help with making pathway it is usually best if students are some suitable contacts. able to arrange their own placements, with the help of parents and any contacts through friends or family that may exist.

Local Employers: Can You Help? If you are able to offer the chance for a fifteen / sixteen-year old to have a week’s work experience with you, please let us know. Contact Karen Varley [email protected] Thank You!

“Our aim is to ensure that all students are given the best start for a rewarding future career during their time at Christleton so they can move on to a secure working future, whether it be at age 16, 18, 21 and beyond.” Spring Term 2016 55 Architects and Planners of the Future..?

For more information see the English Heritage website: -

www.english-heritage.org.uk/ publications/good-practice-local- heritage-listing/

Following this work a formal submission to the steering group for Local Listing, comprising representatives from Cheshire West and Chester Borough Council, the local Parish Council, and the Civic Trust has now been made.

The submission consists of 22 separate nominations, made by our team of last years’ Sixth Formers, Shaun Coppock, David Entwistle, Elena Mianzan, and Becky Nibbs.

The nominations are: - Sixth Form Students in Local 1. The Grange 2. Ice House Heritage Listing Project 3. Stone based pond – Plough Lane 4. The Institute “The Local Heritage Listing 5. Village Information Board 6. The Ring O’ Bells Team discover our local 7. Vintage post boxes 8. Birch Heath Lodge architectural treasures!” 9. Parish Hall 10. Jubilee Sign 2013 A small team of Geography and afternoons uncovering local 11. Finger post Environmental Studies Sixth Form treasures and making a detailed students have been involved in list of proposed buildings, 12. Well cap and pump an exciting project over the last structures or features. 13. Mileposts eighteen months, working in 14. Methodist Church partnership with representatives 15. The Pit and environs from the local Parish Council. Local Listing: 16. Woodfields estate This followed an announcement Criteria for Selection – especially no 1 - 30 from Chester Civic Trust to help 17. Former police house Cheshire West and Chester Council 1. Age prepare a ‘Local List’ of heritage 2. Rarity – (Cheshire Constabulary) assets. Identified buildings and 3. Aesthetic value 18. Birch Heath Lane features should have architectural, 4. Group value 19. Sandstone stiles historical, or curiosity value and not 5. Evidential value 20. Skips Lane be on an existing statutory register. 6. Historic association 21. Canal diverter pond Armed with information on the ten 7. Archaeological interest 22. Abbots Well main specific criteria for selection 8. Designed landscapes (see list below) and a large scale 9. Landmark status Here are a few extracts from just map, the team spent several 10. Social and communal value three of them: – 56 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Well Cap and Pump The slab is now covered with stone paving showing the well shaft For many years this well was the position – an access opening in main drinking water supply to the the paving is covered in an oak lid. village – other smaller wells are Below the paving is a duct linking known to have existed in gardens the well to the adjacent memorial near the village centre, but they shelter (listed) which housed a are all believed to be filled in. The pump for a few years at the end Ice House date of excavation of the shaft is of the 19th Century There is a light not known, but it is 5 ft diameter, cut in the shaft, linked to the street The Ice House was situated in the through the sandstone rock and is lighting control. grounds of a former rectory (now 62 ft deep – when checked in 1995 The Grange) in Village Road, and it contained 23ft of water. The renovation work in 1995 is today buried in the ground just was done in conjunction with the to the right of the main entrance to Chester City Conservation Officer. Christleton High School. It is marked by an iron grid, which covers the original vent hole.

It was called an Ice house because ice was collected from local ponds, and presumably the canal, to take down into this deep pit dug into the sandstone, where meats and fruit could be taken to store during the winter months, providing a steady supply of food in other seasons when it was most needed.

Woodfields Estate

The 30 white-painted houses in Woodfields, designed by the Chester architect, F. C. Saxon, were erected as the Chester Rural District Council’s first priority in improving and increasing its housing stock after the 1939-45 War – particularly on behalf of returning servicemen. The major contractors Holland & Hannen and Cubitts, surprisingly, built the houses – the painting of The Ice House was still visible in The well is capped by a rough brick the brickwork was a result of their the 1950’s and there are a number and sandstone arch which was being a shortage of good quality of older residents who remember reinforced with a concrete slab in facing bricks. The first houses were playing in it. 1995 for safety, at the request of occupied in the autumn of 1946. Cheshire County Council Highways Dept. Many thanks to our Year 13 students from last year for all their help with this fascinating project.

Mr Francis

Spring Term 2016 57 Bowie Blockbusters

Calling All Year 10 and 11 Students and Parents… - Answers - COMING SOON: Reaseheath College Open Day Saturday 23rd April 2016 1. Space Oddity - All Students and Parents Welcome - 2. Let’s Dance 3. Heroes 4. China Girl 5. Scary Monsters Courses available • NEW Technical Baccalaureates 6. Sound And Vision • Adventure Sports • Agricultural Engineering 7. Station To Station • Agriculture • Animal Management and Veterinary Nursing 8. Wild Is The Wind • Business and Events Management • Construction 9. Word On A Wing • Countryside, Conservation, Forestry, Fisheries and Game • Environmental Design 10. Stay • Equine • Floristry 11. Fashion • Food Technology • Foundation Learning 12. All The Young Dudes • Horticulture • Motor Vehicle • Public Services • Sport • Access to Higher Education

FE Course Open Event - Saturday 23rd April; 10.30am start Course Open Events are an excellent opportunity to visit Reaseheath College to discover the many courses on offer. You will be able to:

Meet course staff • Take a tour of the campus and your chosen area • Speak to current students about life and study at Reaseheath • Find out about finance, transport, accommodation and learner support • Apply on the day Teacher’s Pet Here’s the answer! Come along to the next Course Open Event on Saturday 23rd April, For those of you who didn’t arrive for a 10.30am start, and gather information to help you make the know, Mr Stenhouse is the proud right decision. Speed up the process on your arrival and pre-register owner of Chicken Nugget. online. www.reaseheath.ac.uk/fe-april-course-open-event/

Chickens are very vocal; communicating with each other frequently ... making a “cluck- cluck” sound ... this lovely picture shows Chicken Nugget and Mr Stenhouse ‘communicating’.

58 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School I think that the film Freedom Writers is a very YEAR 9 PSHE Film Review inspirational and thoughtful film. The film is based in a part of America where there is a lot of gang violence but the kids are forced to go to school. Their new teacher Mrs Gruwell comes and tries to teach them. I think that this film shows courage and determination as it is scary for Mrs Gruwell, but she still insists on Freedom working and teaching the kids there. Her courage shows in her students’ causing them to change their beliefs and opinions about themselves and others. I believe that this film shows clearly how proud Mrs Gruwell is of her class as she still tries to push the I think thatWriters the film Freedom pupils forward even after her husband left her. To Writers is not a good film, conclude, I like this film and believe it has a very instead, it is an excellent film. good hidden message. It gives the viewer an Charlie Heard understanding about discrimination and prejudice towards different groups of The Freedom Writers is a film based on a true story. people and how this is played The film tells the story of how a group of teenage gang out in gangs. In PSHCE we members, all in the same American freshman English have watched this uplifting class, learn that equality is more important than they film over three lessons, it is think. They learn that race, religion and gender, don’t about a high school class with different gangs in it. define who we are. At first, the class members hated There is a new teacher who people don’t have any each other and separated themselves into small belief in, however she changes the students’ lives. I groups, depending on which gang or social they were really enjoyed watching this film. part of. But once their teacher starts to teach them Maddie Macdonald the story of the Holocaust and Anne Frank, they soon start to realise that they’re not all that different to each other after all. I think Freedom Writers is good because it proves that Their teacher is a very important character in the film if you try hard with people who have struggles in life and uses wild and different techniques to try and get and who find it difficult to learn, you can teach them to the students to enjoy learning and get along with keep going and to not give up. Also if you treat them each other. She makes them do various activities well and fairly then, even if they feel very negative, ‘for Change,’ such as Toast for Change and Taste some of them will benefit. The film also shows that, if for Change, to try and get them to change the way you let them tell you about the difficult things that have they think about life, each other and themselves. She happened in their lives, then you can also help them to teaches them to not discriminate against someone’s improve their situations. appearance or beliefs. Shane Pritchard Ffion Williams

I think that Freedom Writers is a very good and I found I think that the film Freedom Writers really makes you it quite interesting because it shows racial inequality think. We are very lucky to live the life that we do. We very clearly. It shows the violence that is sometimes don’t see shootings, dead bodies or have a strong involved with prejudice and discrimination. The film is likelihood of going to prison or court. The students in about gangs in a school who fight to protect their own the film struggle in school because they really have kind. The main story is about when a teacher comes to other problems outside school. They have to get the school and it is clear to her that the students don’t through the day without getting shot or beaten up! care about their education. The students don’t treat It makes me feel like I take things for granted. Life is her with any respect to start off with and neither do the an amazing thing that we should be thankful for and other staff. Gradually, this teacher changes lives and never ungrateful. opinions. Overall it was a very enjoyable film. Daisy Harris Robert Taylor

Spring Term 2016 59 Year 12 visit Ashbourne, Derbyshire for Mob Football !

On 9th February 2016, our Year 12 AS PE group attended the annual Shrove Tuesday Mob Football Event in Ashbourne.

13 Year 12 students attended the event and witnessed how football was played dating back over one thousand years ago. The game is in danger of being banned due to its rowdy nature but counsellors within the town of Ashbourne continue to work hard at keeping the event alive and active.

All the students thoroughly enjoyed the trip, which covers a topic taught on the AS syllabus, and many are hoping to attend next year.

Mr Barton 60 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Mob SportsSports Football ! SectionSection

AimingAiming HighHigh inin Sport!Sport! According to the School Sports with a ranking of 12th – so within physical education in England, Magazine, Christleton High a year the school has jumped an is seen as the leading authority School was recognised as the 6th impressive 6 places. Even more of competitive school sports. Mr Best State School in England for impressive, is that of the schools Stenhouse, Acting Headteacher competitive sport in 2015. Based named, Christleton is the number 1 commented, “We are extremely on 20 different sports in more than non-selective school state school proud of our students and staff for 120 competitions the magazine in England! achieving such an accolade. We adopts a formula to work a ranking see both staff and students working system of all schools in England. In The School Sports Magazine, which very hard often before school, at 2014, Christleton was recognised is at the cutting edge of research lunchtimes, after school, in the top 30 for the first time and promoting sport and ...continued overleaf

Spring Term 2016 61 HockeyHockey ClubClub

Cheshire Phoenix – Basketball Coaching Every Friday, after school, 3.30 pm - 5.00 pm, James Faint, a professional Basketball coach with the Cheshire Phoenix, is coaching Basketball in the Sports AimingAiming HighHigh inin Sport!Sport! Hall. Anyone can turn up (you don’t need to be on the Basketball ...continued teams) and play. The sessions are on weekends and in the holidays 6th best school in the Country, fun and for all age groups – we practicing and competing in the (1st non selective) is a tribute currently have Year 7s up to Sixth sports they love. It just goes to to our talented students and Formers in attendance. Interested? show that hard work pays off!” hard-working staff, supported by See you on Fridays! caring and helpful parents and Of several teams reaching the families. I am very proud of their final stages in many national achievement” Professional competitions last year, our Year Table Tennis Coaching 8 Netball Team was the star 2016 has already seen some Every Thursday after school Aaron team. Under the leadership brilliant sporting successes and Beech, who is a professional Table and guidance of Miss Cross, some teams are already on Tennis coach, is running coaching the netball team were crowned the verge of reaching National sessions in the Dance Studio. The National Champions after Championships. We look forward project is part funded by Everton numerous gruelling games to seeing where School Sports Football club and is running all and round trips. This team Magazine places Christleton High year. If you want to play Table was closely followed up by the School next year! Tennis, want to learn some skills or Year 8 Girls Handball Team just have an interest – come and who reached the National Final play! Sessions start at 3.30 pm but narrowly lost. Many of our and finish at 4.30 pm. sports teams are Chester and District Champions, with various becoming Cheshire Champions and then going even further, progressing towards National Championships.

Mr Lamberton, Executive Headteacher said “We want all our students to respect themselves and understand that competition is a good thing, real competition is about self and team improvement. To be named

62 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School HockeyHockey ClubClub

Hockey club takes place every Thursday after school. Any girl or boy who likes hockey or would like to try hockey is welcome! We have possible games lined up against other schools and are developing other initiatives to grow this sport in Christleton. Watch this space – hockey is going to be one of our big sports!

ESAA School Cross The team Jac Goodall, David ESAA School Cross Dentith, Luke Carlile, Tristan McFarlane, Joe Powell, Matthew Country Cup Finals McDonnell and their coach Adam Carlile travelled overnight to Bedford, accompanied by Mr Horrocks. After a good night‘s sleep, the boys put into practice their ‘Race Day Preparations’. A good breakfast, walking the course, start pen practice, and mental preparation was soon over and it was time for the race. All the boys ran a well thought out race and completed the course with determination and great spirit. Fantastic effort lads. Also, a thank you to Brian Gresty from Whitchurch Sports who donated the running vests for the event.

Spring Term 2016 63 BadmintonBadminton U13U13 NetballNetball CountyCounty ChampionsChampions

YearYear 77 NetballNetball The A teams first match was very tricky as the team had only been selected a couple of days earlier, Kings School came at us full throttle and with us barely finding our rhythm we lost 11 goals to 5. A few changes came within the team and it looked like we had cemented a strong team of 9 players, so we next visited Bishop’s Bluecoat High School where the team put on a fantastic performance thrashing Bishop’s Bluecoat High School 22 – 0, player of the match being Cerys Wojtan. Our U14 boys and U14 girls The B team have only had one match so far this season with Emma Badminton teams are County Cresswell, the coach picking a Champions, undefeated in all their select squad of 8. They played matches. away at Upton High School on a cold and blustery Tuesday evening, coming home with a win of 11 They will now represent the County goals to 1, the defence of Emma at the North West Finals later this Wood and Molly Bowes being very year. effective throughout the game.

On to the C team whom Amy Congratulations to you all and good Russon has been coaching very luck at the Finals! effectively, their first opponents were Upton High School where the Mr Barton team put in a thrilling performance, crumbling Upton High School 17 goals to 0, Hatty Bird and Alice Bailey’s partnership in the attacking third making the difference.

64 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Congratulations To Ewan Bradley who U13U13 NetballNetball recently won Bronze medal in the pole The third quarter started vault in the North positively, Charlotte Parkinson England Indoor Athletic and Emily Bolton managed Championships held at to create some fantastic the English Institute of interceptions, which increased Sport in Sheffield. our lead. Oldham Hulme fought A face to watch for back strong and decreased in the future! the goal difference; they were applying the pressure and Christleton for the first time looked nervous. Quarter final The fourth quarter saw the return success… Bring of Sophie Thompson at GS, who in previous quarters was strong Year 7 and 8 on the National and accurate with her shooting. Semi-Final! We managed to capitalise on Boys Table Tennis Oldham Hulme’s mistakes putting Well done to Louis Mollineux, Dylan Christleton faced Oldham Hulme us in an advantage position. The Moore, Ben Hamilton and George Davies Grammar School in the National battle continued and on the final who came Runners Up in the Year 7 Netball quarter final on 15th whistle, the score was 21-21. and 8 Chester and District Table Tennis January 2016. Speculation prior Championships! to the game occurred amongst An extra 5 minutes each way our squad, some of the Oldham was agreed by both team Hulme players were playing at a coaches. The girls at this point high standard outside of school. were apprehensive. The first 5 Christleton were hungry for this, minutes saw only two goals being now so more than ever. scored; one from each team. This was it, the last 5 minutes, The first quarter was neck and the decider. Were Christleton neck; Christleton remained ahead destined for the semi-finals or by only one point. The girls knew had they reached their peak? they had their work cut out if they Our attacking force; Hannah wanted to make the semi-final. Ritson, Charlotte Parkinson, The pressure was on. Alice Watkinson and Sophie Thompson linked play beautifully A change was made during the we started to steam ahead; 1, first quarter interval; Tamsin 2, 3, 4 goals. The final score Table Tennis O’Keefe stepped up at WD in finished 26-22 to Christleton. A Well done to our U15s Boys Table Tennis replacement of Raimi Harrison. battled performance by all team team, who came 2nd at the Chester and The girls remained strong in members and a well-deserved District competition in January 2016. defence and cleared the ball win. away at given opportunities. Oldham Hulme’s defence were Looking forward to the semi-finals pretty strong, making it difficult for now against Brentwood School! our attacking players to get free. As a team we remained focused and continued the lead, this time by three. Spring Term 2016 65 CountyCounty NetballNetball ...Bring...Bring itit on!on!

On Saturday, 6th February 2015, the U15s and U16s Netball squad faced the strong winds and wet weather in the County Netball tournament, held at Whitby High School. The girls were in full force and prepared to go all out to be crowned champions of their age category.

The U15s were up first, facing The The next two games were going to The King’s School, Macclesfield King’s School, Chester, a rivalry be tough, Wilmslow High School 8-3. This positive streak continued game, which we were hoping to and Bridgewater School. Both and the girls produced some win. The battle was on; the girls teams were playing really well; we fantastic Netball, both defensively were strong in mid court bringing needed to bring our top form to and attackingly. Holly Mottershead the ball down to our attacking third. have any chance of winning the stepped up at Wing Defence (WD) The game finished 5-5 and although section. Wilmslow High School was showing her versatility. Alex Gore- not a win, the girls remained first up; the game started scrappily, Rees dominated mid-court feeding positive for their next game. the girls made a few errors with in some fantastic passes to the their passes, and then found it shooters. Another win against The Next up on court were the U15s difficult to make a comeback. The Grange School boosted the team’s against Wilmslow High School. game finished with Christleton confidence; 17-2 was the final score. They started off slow, both teams losing 4-2, a game that we could battling to regain possession. There have won. The final three games were within were some fantastic passes and our reach; the girls were tactically interceptions made. The final score The final game was against thinking about the number of goals finished 4-4. Bridgewater School; the confidence scored within each game to put within the squad was low. The them themselves in an advantage The next three games for the U15s game started in Bridgewater position. A win against Hartford were a breeze, beating The King’s School’s favour, they lead by 3 High School 12-0, Lymm High School, Macclesfield 8-4, Bishops goals. The girls managed to play School 17-1, and Helsby High School Heber High School 17-2, and Lymm better in the second half however 15-0 meant the girls had succeeded High School 5-1. The girls gave a it wasn’t enough to win the game. in their challenge. fantastic performance in all three The final finished 10-5. matches. The movement on court Overall, the day was a success. was quick and our attacking force On the other hand, the U15s The U16s finished 4th in the county was solid right up to putting the ball remained in top form throughout and the U15s finished 1st and were through the net. all of their games. The second crowned winners. match finished with a win; beating

66 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School RugbyRugby GirlsGirls Sale Sharks convert an excellent FootballFootball Coach Education Session! The U14 Girls Football team have continued their fantastic start to the On Wednesday, 27th January Whilst training our young players, year by reaching the semi-final of the 2016, Sale Sharks visited Sale Sharks shared with our Cheshire Cup. The quarter final was Christleton High School to provide coaches the theory behind what a fierce contest against Sandbach our Rugby coaching staff with a they do, and how they do it, High School, which the girls won 3-0. fantastic opportunity to develop enhancing their understanding of Goals from Hannah Snape and Laura their coaching skills. Our Rugby how the game is coached at the Roberts secured the win, and special coaches are a combination of highest level and the enjoyment praise must go to the two U12 girls, teachers, Sixth Form volunteers, many students can get out of the Izzy Gill and Jade Bennett, who put in and external volunteers. game. Thanks to all who attended. fantastic performances whilst playing two years above their age group. Sale Sharks coached a group of our Year 7 and 8 students for The U13 Girls were recently knocked an hour, delivering the perfect out of the National Cup by Our balance of insight, intensity, Lady’s High School from Manchester. and fun. Christleton High School played fantastically well against extremely strong opposition and were very unlucky to lose 4-3 on the day. However, the U13s have the quarter final of the Cheshire Cup to look forward to and they are confident they will be successful in progressing through to the semi-final later in the month.

Girls Football training will resume after half term on a Monday night and all JakJak Goodall’sGoodall’s girls of any age are welcome CheshireCheshire CapCap to come and On Sunday, 14th February 2016, Jac Goodall play! played a full game of Rugby for Cheshire and did Christleton High School proud. Cheshire won 17-10 and play Lancashire next on Sunday, 21 February 2016!

Spring Term 2016 67 CountyCounty SchoolsSchools U16’sU16’s NetballNetball TournamentTournament U16s were put through their paces at trials run by Miss Mckie and Miss Cross to enter the County Schools Netball Tournament. They had to endure two weeks of various fitness and skills tests to ensure we had a mixture of qualities we needed to take this team all the way.

The team was selected and the news leading up to the Regionals Final A couple of games off and with broken to those who had made it the team morale was at an all-time batteries recharged, our next and those who had not. This was high. So on Saturday, 23rd January opponents were Wirral Grammar tough as it would be the Year 11’s last 2016, at Wright Robinson Sports School, a school that Christleton opportunity to be entered at County. College, the team were ready to High School have run into before. This didn’t sway the decision process challenge themselves further. Placed A shaky start, with individual errors, and the girls that performed well over in a tough group with the likes of resulted in the team being 8-2 down the two weeks of trials, and who had Wirral Grammar School and unknown after the first half. Even though a the right attitude were selected. opposition, this was going to be few people stepped up their game, After finalising the team, Cat Nibbs tricky. The girls couldn’t have started the lead was too much, and the and Alexandra Gore-Rees were better on a windy but dry Saturday match was lost, 16 goals to our 2; selected as Captain and Vice- morning, beating Oldham Hulme heart breaking after such a good captain. These players needed Grammar School 9 goals to 8, with start. Finally, yet importantly, came to lead by example both on Amy Russon showing her attacking Sedbergh School, who looked and off the court. qualities as Goal Attack. The girls solid but not unbeatable. followed this win with a huge win On Saturday, 14th November 2015, against King William’s College 22 Our team, however, still had the loss the girls set out to build upon the goals to 3. Maddie Sterling (Wing to Wirral Grammar School playing on success Christleton High School has Defence) backed up our defence our minds. We had a sloppy opening had previously. They began with and shone in a position that is 4 minutes, which led to Sedburgh a great start against Fallibroome sometimes over looked. School being ahead at half time by Academy and continued their 4 goals. We came out fighting but winning streak right through the day Next came Westholme School; we unfortunately couldn’t pull it back coming out on top and deserved dug deep and won 17-7 with Alex losing 14 -8. winners of the County Schools Gore-Rees pulling the strings Tournament. from centre court. After the results were in, we were 4th Being outright out of 6 teams, disappointing but a winners of this lot could be taken from Tournament this experience. gave the team confidence and

68 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School CheshireCheshire SchoolsSchools Cross-CountryCross-Country ChampionshipsChampionships

17 Christleton High School cross- country runners were selected to represent Chester and District area at the County Championships in Winsford on Saturday, 16th January 2016. Places in the County cross- country team were up for grabs.

It was a particularly cold day and the conditions for the course were very muddy. Thorough warm ups were essential and good positioning on the start line. Each race had at least 100 runners and all the Christleton runners completed the gruelling course in Chester and District such cold conditions.

Volleyball Championships Through to the county team in their age group are Christy Mageean In November 2015, the U15 Boys Volleyball squad travelled to (Year 11), David Dentith (Year 10), Catholic High School for the Chester & District Championships. Jac Goodall (Year 10), and Isaac The newly formed squad played tactically and improved as the games were won and lost, they also umpired and scored the Tait (Year 7). A particularly fantastic matches to make the whole afternoon inspiring. performance from Isaac Tait, who came first overall in the Minors. There are now regular Volleyball practices at lunchtime in the Sports Centre on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for anyone interested in Volleyball.

Volleyball squad: Lewis Buckley, Ben Clarke, Oliver Trollope, Adam Bayley and Jac Goodall.

EmilyEmily SecuresSecures 3rd3rd PlacePlace She admits it was one of her best cross-country races, beating girls who usually cross the finish line ahead of her and taking home a Bronze medal. Well done Emily!

On Saturday, 6th February 2016, The series is organised by a cold, wet, and blustery day, West Cheshire Athletics Emily Page (pictured on the left) Club and held at the Sports ran a muddy 2.8 km. Village in Ellesmere Port. Spring Term 2016 69 Basketball Round Up The Basketball season is now around mid- season and each team has been busy playing games and practicing. With regular games in the North Wales Basketball League and school games the number of students at Christleton High School participating in competitive games continues to grow each month. Year 7s The Year 7 team are led by big team was very happy with this result! man Jaden Crump and point guard The Year 7s have progressed Thomas Goodwin. Both players significantly this year and without have fallen in love with the game doubt this is a team to watch in the and are now part of the Cheshire future. Jaden Crump and Thomas Phoenix Junior Programme, which Goodwin are the leaders of the team will no doubt develop their skills and in all aspects in scoring, rebounding, abilities. Dillon Brookes, Benedict passing and general play. However, Andrews, Lola Latifa, Max Grace, all the other players are watching, Alexander Cotton, Toby Lloyd, learning and getting better very and Max Grace are regular quickly. Keep working hard everyone! players in the team. Years 8 and 9 The Year 8 and 9 team are the only Oh yes, we forgot Jason Peng…well mixed team playing in the North actually I didn’t…I have never known Wales Basketball League and in anyone before who can talk so much the schools league. Laura Roberts, on a bus to a game! We placed a Hannah Thorley, Gemma Hemens gagging order on one trip and the and Xara Challinor are regular players journey was bliss, but on the return who buck the trend of a boy’s only Mr Peng was back to his usual self – league. Quite often, the opposition there is definitely a career there as a find it funny that they are playing girls, radio DJ or something of that ilk! but as soon as the game starts, they realise that our girls can play The most recent games for the the game really well! team have resulted in 1 win and 3 losses. The losses came against Jacob Jones, Rory Faulkner, Dylan Years 10 and 11 Bromborough Bulldogs, King’s Bevan-Jones, Reggie Wyatt, Jacob School, Catholic High School, and Hemens (yes, brother and sister play Upton High School. The win was on the same team!) and Ewan Bradley against Blacon High School and the are regular players on the team who

70 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School have won 1 and lost 2 of their most recent games. Hannah Thorley has been receiving the player of the game for outstanding Girls Handball all-round play with Jacob Jones Girls Handball and Laura Roberts playing On Monday, 8th February 2016, format to see if we had qualified. excellent offensive Basketball. the Year 8 and Year 9 and 10 As it turned out, we made the final girls Handball team travelled and were up against Upton High The Year 10 and 11 team has had to Tarporley High School School who we had tied with in more games than any other team for the Chester and District the first game. due to the size of the league Championships. The Year 8 they have been playing in. Tom team who were short of one This time it was a different game. Wyatt continues to grow as a player managed a comfortable Alex Gore-Rees literally turned into point guard and is arguably the 2nd place in the tournament a handball beast (!) and played an best decision maker in the North with a first game loss being absolutely amazing game. Every Wales League. Cameron Bradley decisive in their positioning. ball seemed to be hers, every and Tom Hanson are improving player backed off from her and she week on week especially on their led the Christleton charge. vertical jumps and everyone is Maddie Sterling who operated waiting to see who will be the on the right of Alex eventually first to dunk! Oli Trollope and found her feet and was equally Jason Taylor in Year 10 bring as impressive. Led by these two defence and composure to players, the more experienced the team dynamics. handballers in Year 9 Hannah Thorley, Laura Roberts, Lucy The team have recently played Peterson, Evie Gordon and 6 games. With 4 wins and 2 For some players, this was the first Annie Dunkerley all started losses against a variety of schools time they had stepped foot on a to play to their ability. and Basketball clubs, this team handball court and the whole team is looking to stay together in played brilliantly in each game. The outcome of the game was a the Sixth Form to have our first Hannah Snape who was part of the comfortable 8-0 win for Christleton ever Sixth Form Basketball team Year 8 team last year and captured High School – we are now Chester competing in regular games. the National Runner’s Up position and District Champions. This was dominant and easily the time last year, we went from this Fridays after school are still best player in this category. tournament and won every other the main night for all teams to until we lost in the National Final. practice. We now have 3 coaches, Nung Sirisot who played in goal Who knows…maybe this group with James (from Cheshire made some spectacular saves and of girls can do the same?! Well Phoenix), Jason Crump (ex-Great Hannah Ritson and Raimi Harrison done to all players – an excellent Britain International, professional were outstanding on the breaks performance! player and father of Jaden Crump) and converting turnovers into and Mr Horrocks. goals. Emily Bolton and Charlotte Parkinson kept the defence Anyone who likes Basketball, is secure during every game. interested in Basketball or would like to learn more is welcome The Year 9 and 10 team (and along. Basketball also takes place Hannah Snape!) started the every Tuesday and Thursday tournament slowly. In both first lunch times – who will challenge round games, Christleton tied with Mr Horrocks one-on-one?! the opposition, which meant that we had to wait until the end of the

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