Weatherhead High School WEATHER REPORT
A high performing academy providing excellence for all Spring 2014
WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS
Gold Duke of Edinburgh recipients Going for Gold! 013 Sixth Form leavers, Rachel Chong, Laura Cook and Hannah Thurlow, travelled to London to collect their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards from the Duke of Edinburgh himself! From Years 9 to 13 the girls worked through Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards, volunteering2 in many worthy causes, undertaking expeditions to Wales and Yorkshire, and developing all important life skills. The girls joined over 300 students from all corners of the UK who visited St. James’ Palace to collect their certificates and medals. All round talent Bill Bailey was the special guest and championed the view that, if you can achieve Gold ‘D of E’ Award, then you can accomplish anything in life. The day was a novel break from the girls’ university studies and the friends were able to catch up over lunch once the presentation ceremony was over. The Duke of Edinburgh scheme is offered as an extra-curricular club at Weatherhead with 140 students currently working towards their Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards. Visit the school website and click on the Extra Curricular>Extended School link for more details.
Our big hitter! National Champion Boxing Star! ear 9 student, Chloe, became the Amateur Boxing Association England (ABAE) champion in the Class 1 40-42kgs category. 14 year old Chloe beat her opponent hands down and unanimously outpointed her to take the title. Chloe took up boxing at the age of eleven and has been carefully nurtured and Ytrained at Birkenhead’s Venture Boxing Club with an impressive record winning eight out of her eleven amateur bouts. Chloe has boxing in her blood - her father and uncles were all boxers. Her trainer at Venture is very excited and thinks she’s the best girl on the amateur boxing scene, proving that training hard and having the perfect attitude pay off. The introduction of Women’s Boxing at the London 2012 Olympics and this year’s Commonwealth Games makes Chloe’s chances of one day representing Great Britain - like her boxing idol (and ex-Weatherhead student) Natasha Jonas - all the more realistic!
Hickory’s Winners Sweet Taste of Victory wo talented GCSE Catering students joined over 100 budding young chefs from seven schools as they took part in the Junior Masterchef 2014 competition run by local restaurant,T Hickory’s. Students were asked to create a starter, main course or dessert, that would work well on the authentic American menu, and cost their dish to test its viability on a commercial menu. The competition was presided over by an illustrious panel of judges, including expert food critics, local celebrity chef, Paul Askew, and TV Chef Simon Rimmer. Despite facing stiff competition in the live cook-off final, Amber was crowned Junior Masterchef. Amber’s S’Mores Slice - a biscuit and brownie-based dessert with salted caramel sauce - will feature on the Hickory’s menu for a month. As well as a certificate and trophy, Amber won a meal with her family at Hickory’s and £500 of kitchen equipment for the school. Becky’s runner-up five burgers dish may be used for a ‘special’, perhaps to mark US Independence Day. Hickory’s Executive Chef, Rob Bacon, described how the competition aims to introduce young people to this style of cooking whilst encouraging them to consider a career in catering.
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Headteacher’s Welcome Weather Report grows ever more extensive as we celebrate many excellent achievements and initiatives from across the school community. It demonstrates the tremendous commitment and talent of students and staff at Weatherhead and I am very proud to share the latest news with you all. We are excited to be welcoming a large number of Year 7 students in September and we hope that Weather Report will provide an insight into the wealth of opportunity available to all our students. We encourage students to get involved in extra-curricular activities and there can be no better showcase of how much there is to choose from. I would also like to remind parents that I offer an Open Surgery each term for any parent or carer who wishes to meet with me to discuss any matter. Dates are published on our website along with all the latest school news, letters, and calendar of events. I hope you enjoy reading this Spring 2014 issue.
School of the Week Back of the Net! eatherhead was featured as School of the Week on City eatherhead’s U13 Football team beat off five local teams Talk’s breakfast show in February. City Talk’s Education to represent Tranmere Rovers in the Regional Area Reporter, Les Stewart, gave Weatherhead a very positive Finals of the Football League Cup. The squad, coached ‘shoutW out’ in the weekly feature. Wby Miss Lilburn, comprised Erin Abbott, Jodie Ballard, Alicia Bond, Mia Bunting, top scorer Lois Davies, Chloe Etherington, Captain To listen to the feature in full, visit the school website & click on the School of the Week link Alisha Gibson and Emily Harding. This is the second year that ! Weatherhead’s U13 Footballers have trodden the path to Wembley. The girls sailed through the opening games and easily overcame Birmingham in the semi-finals to meet Shrewsbury Town in the final. The game seemed to go our way until a last minute equaliser Trampolining from Shrewsbury brought a penalty shoot-out. The girls finished runners-up as the shoot-out went to sudden death meaning that Triumph they narrowly missed out on Wembley. Weatherhead is extremely ear 11 Trampolinist, Megan, proud of the team for their fighting spirit and skills. The girls also represented Weatherhead in relished the support from Tranmere, especially when striker, Abdulai the U19 Girls’ Novice category Bell Baggie, and midfielder, James Rowe, called in to Weatherhead at the Zonal Stage of the National to wish them well. Thanks to everyone who supported the girls on Y their journey for their encouragement and support. Schools’ Trampoline Championships. Megan is one of our top trampolinists, who qualified at individual level at the Regional Stage of the Championships back in November. Megan came eighteenth out of 41 competitors and goes on to represent not only Weatherhead but also the North West of England in the next round later this year. Fantastic Gymnastics
ell done to the U16 elite Gymnastics Squad who competed at the North West Milano Team Regional Finals in January. The girls had to perform individually on the FloorW and Vault, as well as in a Trio on the Floor. With over thirty teams in the mix, it was a tough competition that required nerves of steel and consistency across the disciplines. Miss Chard’s gymnasts did themselves proud, showcasing their impressive choreography and technical abilities to firmly make their mark on the North West Gymnastics scene. Lauren Ayers, Kirby Holsgrove and Natasha Murrell finished in first place and went on to represent the North West at the Milano Team National Finals in March where they secured fifth place. An incredible and much-deserved achievement in an elitist event competing with the best of British teams. Football League U13 Team
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Rewards for All
ead of Year 8, Mrs Ronan, has introduced a new incentive scheme for Year 8 students and rewards twenty five girls every half term for theirH good behaviour, attendance and progress. The girls are rewarded with a special lunch in the canteen and are presented with certificates. The scheme encourages girls to be responsible, committed learners and good ambassadors for Weatherhead.
Year 8 enjoy the taste of success
Eco Warriors Eco Schools is an internationally recognised environmental award programme that puts sustainability at the heart of school life helping to make environmental Year 8 celebration lunch issues simple and easy to manage. Managed by our Well Being Coordinator, Mrs Jones, we have been working towards improving our environmental performance to obtain our Bronze, Silver and Green Flag awards since 2012. Weatherhead’s Eco School Action Team, made up of four Year 8 students, Megan, Tabitha, Emily and Rachel, was the driving force assessing the environmental performance of the school. The Team chose to focus on two of the nine Eco-topics: Energy and Litter. They organised a Switch Off fortnight encouraging staff and students to switch off lights Rachel Brown with Award Winners and appliances when not in use, took part in the Wirral litter strategy and attended a one day workshop at Gilmoss Awards Evenings Recycling Centre. Congratulations to Mrs Jones and the Team on securing this prestigious award for Weatherhead. Staff, students, parents and Governors came together in October to celebrate two evenings of sporting and academic successes at Sports Awards Evening and Senior Awards Evening. Our sporting achievements in school have paved the way for team and individual triumphs in local and national football, gymnastics, athletics and trampolining competitions. Special awards were also given out for volunteering, charity work, service to the school and community, as well as to students who have shown outstanding commitment and success in Leadership and Media Arts. The ceremonies were presided over by special guests, Sue Talbot from Wirral Children’s & Young People’s Services, and Everton Ladies and England goalkeeper, Rachel Brown, who spoke to our students and inspired them to achieve, be successful and follow their dreams.
Date for Diaries - Key Stage 3 Awards Evening will take place ! on Thursday 3rd July Eco Schools committee with flag
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 3
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Global Perspective Boosted by International Award eatherhead has successfully achieved the Foundation International School Certificate in recognition of the school’s drive to introduce a greater cultural dimension to school life beyond foreign language learning. As well as the Comenius programme, we have theW Sixth Form Italian exchange, the World Challenge Malaysian educational expedition, annual foreign trips; such as to the WW1 battle fields in Belgium, Orchestra and Business trips to Disneyland Paris, Art trips to Venice and Paris, and foreign language visits to Germany and Spain. For more on our International Links see our Website.
Amalfi Coast Italian Exchange eatherhead is proud of its partnership with an Italian specialist language school. Istituto Regina Margerita is situated just south of Naples, on the stunning Amalfi coast in the attractive port of Salerno. The school welcomed seven of our Year 12 students in November to spend time with Italian students. Blessed by high temperatures, our students visited the ancient ruins at Pompeii overlookedW by Vesuvius, toured Amalfi via the hair pin coastal road and took in the many sights, sounds and tastes of the beautiful coastal town of Salerno. Our Sixth Form students and their families will host a reciprocal visit for the Italians at Easter. As well as sharing school and social experiences with our students, the group’s week-long visit will include a historical Chester visit, cultural tour of Liverpool, including the ferry across the Mersey, and the cathedrals. For more photos visit Weatherhead’s Window on the World Album on the school website by clicking onto School Information>International Links. Konnichiwa Yamaguchi ne of our Year 11 students, Lauren, is one of nine Guides from the North West selected to represent the region in the 23rd World Scout Jamboree taking place in Yamaguchi, Japan in August 2015. The World Scout Jamboree attracts tens of thousands of Scouts and Guides fromO almost every country in the world. The theme of the Jamboree is ‘Wa’ meaning harmony, unity, friendship and peace. As well as the Jamboree, Lauren will spend four days experiencing the sights and culture of the capital city, Tokyo, and spend four nights with a host family. Lauren is already preparing for her adventure and is busy fundraising and getting to know her travel companions. Last month she visited the World Museum, Liverpool, to explore Japanese culture and learn some Japanese, as well as take part in a Sushi-making lesson at Yo Sushi!
View all our activities, gallery of photos (Weatherhead’s Window on the World), and international links by visiting our website: www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk > school information > ! international links
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Auf Wiedersehen Weatherhead
wo of our Sixth Form linguists, Rachel Dunster and Jodie Oliver, spent February half term in Germany honing their language skills. Rachel completed a week of work experience supporting a Year 8 class at the Europaschule Gladenbach. The teacher was really pleased with Rachel’s performance and independent approach, and was very impressed with her German. Rachel thoroughly enjoyed Tstaying with her host family and is looking forward to her German friend visiting the UK in the summer. Jodie also spent four days in Gladenbach staying with a German host family to practise her German every day. Both girls had a fantastic time exploring the area and discovering all about German culture and language. Weatherhead will continue to develop relationships with the Europaschule Gladenbach when Miss Wiseman visits in July with a group of Year 11 students. Rachel and Jodie have also submitted entries to the Oxford German Olympiad, a competition organised by Oxford University’s German Society. To celebrate the hundredth anniversary of WW1, the theme of the competition is 1914 and both girls have submitted a piece of writing based around a person or event from Germany, Austria or Switzerland in 1914. Judging will take place this month, with winners being invited to Oxford University for a Prize-giving ceremony. Alles Gute girls!
Students immerse Vive la Difference! themselves in Spanish lingo! ow an integral part of the Weatherhead calendar, we celebrated European Day ixteen keen Year 12 of Languages with a European themed and 13 linguists gave Nbreakfast served to staff and a tuck shop for up their half term in students. Students across all year groups were FebruaryS to attend a Spanish encouraged to tackle linguistic challenges in immersion course in Madrid. all their lessons as we spent the day greeting In addition to 4 hours of friends, colleagues and peers in a foreign language. intensive Spanish classes every MFL students in Madrid day at La Aventura Española language school, students had the opportunity to experience the cultural delights of Madrid. This included shopping, a guided tour of the Museo Amalfi Coast A certain ‘Je Ne Sais Quoi’ del Prado art gallery, a Gazpacho-making class, and a walking Tapas tour around the city’s oldest neighbourhood. On the last day, after much hard he Art Department had a change of scenery this work and study, the girls were treated to a Flamenco master class and year, choosing to visit Paris for four days as stimulus Paella for dinner! The intensive course proved invaluable for our Spanish for twenty one A level Textiles and Fine Art students. AS and A level students who had the opportunity to practise their TThe group had a packed itinerary with a visit to the Eiffel Tower, grammar and perfect their pronunciation. a river cruise down the Seine, plus shopping and lunch at the historic market area Les Halles with its sculptures, fountains, and mosaics. The group also visited La Sacre Coeur, the Palace of Versailles and Notre Dame, famous for its fine examples of French Bom Dia Weatherhead Gothic architecture. Students were able to gain inspiration for s part of the school’s involvement in the international their own exam pieces from the Museum visits to the Musee British Council-run Comenius programme, Nelson Ferreira D’Orsay, with its collection of world masterpieces by Monet, Ribeiro, from Portugal joined us in March. Nelson is mainly Renoir, Cézanne, Gauguin and Van Gogh. They were also Aworking within Humanities until the end of the school year, as well as impressed by Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa at the Louvre. The trip was supporting other departments and running extra-curriculum clubs including a Portuguese a fantastic way for the students to widen their horizons and language and culture extend their creative thinking. club for beginners! The Art students enjoy Paris gallery Programme aims to develop knowledge and understanding amongst young people, educate staff in European cultures and languages, and help promote understanding of the value of diversity.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 5
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Sixth Formers take on a World Challenge! group of adventurous Weatherhead Sixth Formers are embarking upon the trip of Aa lifetime with World Challenge as they prepare to visit Malaysia in July. Led by Mrs Walton and Miss Jones, the group will test their capabilities with an arduous four-day trek through the Cameron Highlands and then work with a local charity within the local community. At the end of their two week stay, the group will visit the capital Kuala Lumpur. Taking part in a World Challenge allows students to broaden their horizons, develop a sense of global citizenship and develop valuable life skills. The fifteen strong group, made up of Year 12 and 13 students, has been working tirelessly to raise over £1,500 each for their trip, which must be self-funded. Fundraising World Challenges has involved hours of bag-packing at Morrison’s, a Valentine’s Cake Sale, and a PTF staff car wash. Weatherhead’s have kindly donated £300 to the Challenge Thank you to our sponsors fund, and there have also been donations from education recruitment company, Parents, Teachers New Directions , and Weather Report and Friends print designers, The Printroom. Thanks to all our sponsors for their generous @ Weatherhead donations.
Morrisons bag pack Languages spoken: Malay is the official language but English, Chinese dialect MALAYSIA and Tamil plus other FACT FILE indigenous languages are spoken.
Time zone: GMT +8
Population: 29,179,952
Interesting fact: Malaysians have their own indigenous tribes, collectively known as Orang Asli. Traditionally, the Orang Asli spend their lives in the jungle.
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Meeting Guide Dogs in Training Pete Dunning
Girls learn Braille
eatherhead marked Disability Week with its second annual event. During the week pupils in Year 7 and 8 acquired a range of new skills including sign language and braille. Ex-soldier, Pete Dunning, was welcomed back to Weatherhead. He brought inspiration as he recounted the courageous wayW he has risen above his disability to achieve a place in the Team GB Paralympic Skiing Team. Three guide dogs also visited the school and our girls could not wait to pat the pups, who remained remarkably well- behaved. To conclude the week, Guide Dogs for the Blind and Pete Dunning visited Year 7 and 9 assemblies to be presented with donations from the school.
Carina Axelsson Turns Heads (and Pages) odel-turned-author, Carina Axelsson, visited Weatherhead to talk to students about her career as an Mauthor and illustrator and her life in the fashion industry. Carina met some of our Year 7 and 8 students during their English lessons to talk about her new book Model Author Carina Axelsson Under Cover - A Crime of Fashion. Students also had the chance to meet Carina at lunchtime when she signed books and postcards, and answered questions about writing, illustration and the fashion James Dawson visits during ‘Author Week’ industry. ‘Model Under Cover - A Crime of Fashion’ is a fun and fast-paced mystery set in the glitz and glamour of Paris Fashion Week, featuring teen- Read All About It! sleuth Axelle Anderson and is still available to buy or borrow from the LRC. ur dedicated Learning Resource Manager - who ironically shares her name with Harry Potter’s best Anti-Bullying Week friend, Miss H Grainger - coordinated a fabulous array of events including book sales, lunchtime book signings and tudents in all years took part in a variety of activities during lessons O and lunchtimes during anti-bullying week with the central message readings to celebrate Author Week. Authors James Dawson, there is no place for bullying at Weatherhead IceRadio Julia Golding, Marie-Louise Jensen, Kate Maryon and Sarah . Mussi each brought something unique to the LRC, offering broadcastS a specially themed show which included song requests, friendship students a vast range of writing styles and genres including pledges and a powerful messages about bullying. Local performers and stars Britain’s Got Talent, MD Productions, love, tragedy, fantasy, suspense, the ordinary and the of engaged students in an energetic extraordinary! During lessons, every student in Year 7 and workout using inspirational words and Dance steps to explore and channel 8 was treated to a book reading by one of the authors and emotions around anti-bullying. Students were also given a sneak preview of The Emotions Project MD Productions learnt about an author’s life, where they glean inspiration a ground breaking new initiative, , run by Kids Company and how they plan and publish a novel. The week was a and national charity, , in partnership with local businesses, fantastic opportunity for students to meet published writers, to give fifty young people a and develop a love of reading, and for budding authors to platform from which to channel develop their writing skills. The week was a huge success with their emotions and follow their over 100 books sold and over 700 autographs signed by the creative ambitions. Throughout five authors. Their books continue to be popular in the LRC the week, staff played a pivotal and all of the authors have been keen to let us know how role in educating students around much they enjoyed their visits. this complex issue and the MD Productions meet students prevention of bullying in school.
For news updates follow us on Twitter @WeatherheadHigh 7
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Sea Scout Leader Matt Richards with Year 9 students Weatherhead’s Outstanding Winners’ Award
eatherhead students awarded Birkenhead 64th Sea Scouts their second Weatherhead Outstanding Winners Award under the ‘inspirational leading light’ category. Whilst family, friends and teachers were recognised for the supportW and encouragement they provide, a number of students proposed the Sea Scouts in recognition of the range of experiences and life skills they offer through their fun activities with local young people. The Award was presented by two Year 9 Sea Scouts to Scout Leader, Matt Richards, who has committed over eighteen years to the Scout movement. Matt and the Sea Scouts have delivered courses in paddle sports, sailing, first aid and yachting with our girls gaining confidence on the water and their basic sailing qualifications. Our Year 9 Scouts created a fantastic presentation to inform their peers of the opportunities available through scouting. For further details and to view the presentation, visit the school website and click on School Community>Weatherhead Outstanding Winners Awards.
To round off a busy term and in recognition of the hard work and good behaviour shown by students, Year Leaders and Learning Mentors coordinated a range of trips for girls in Years 7 to 11 during the last two weeks before Christmas. Oh No They Didn’t… Walking in a Ice skating at Winter Wonderland Oh Yes They Did Winter ighty Year 7 and a hundred Year 8 students Wonderland were lucky enough to secure tickets to watch Peter Pan at the Liverpool Empire with Ray aving been rained off one EQuinn as Peter Pan, starring opposite his real-life wife, week, a hundred and fifty Emma Stephens, who played Wendy. The traditional Year 9 girls finally made it to story was ‘scoused up’ and infused with comedy for Hthe first ever Winter Wonderland at young and old to enjoy with stellar performances Chester Races. The racecourse was from local legend Pete Price (as Smee) and ex- completely transformed to create a Brookside actor Louis Emery as Hook. Our girls magical wonderland including an ice were treated to a free ice cream during the interval rink, fairground rides, a festive 3D Movie Room, as well as Santa’s letter writing and were captivated by the flying scenes involving workshop, Santa’s reindeer and stories from Mrs Claus for younger visitors. The Peter Pan and Tinkerbelle. The bright set, loud music evening began with students entering the enchanted forest and ended several and fabulous costumes added to the theatrics. The hours later once they had enjoyed most of the fairground rides and spent all girls screamed and shouted so much they almost lost their money on festive treats! their voices! Students Bank On It tudents from Years 10 and 11 enjoyed a trip to the Light Cinema to watch Saving Mr Banks, the untold backstory of howS Disney’s classic Mary Poppins made it to the big screen. The story focuses on the prickly author P.L. Travers (played by Emma Thompson) and her clashes with Tom Hank’s Walt Disney. Together they set Mary Poppins free to ultimately make one of the most endearing films in cinematic history.
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ART BUSINESS Living Dangerously!
wenty of our most talented GCSE and A Level Art and Textiles students Twere invited by Miss Robinson to attend a practical art workshop one Saturday with Chester-based freelance artist Caroline Dangerfield whose workshops focus on the natural Caroline Dangerfield workshop work elements, landscape and textures. The students created some beautiful pieces incorporating a selection of The Real Deal students natural form images and leaves, using oil and acrylic paints. The Real Deal Clothes Show Live! even keen Year 10 Business students visited the Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester in February to take t the beginning of part in the North West regional final of theReal Business December, the Art Challenge run by Coca Cola. Weatherhead was one of ten successful Department made their S schools to compete - our girls were chosen from over 6,000 Clothes Aannual pilgrimage to the pupils who entered the competition. The day began with meeting a Show Live in Birmingham. Forty representative from Coca Cola. Each group then went on to produce five enthusiastic GCSE and A a poster, an app and a viral video in support of the organisation level Textiles and Art students Street Games which was presented to Coca Cola representatives at took time to visit university the end of the day. Although they did not get through to the final in stands to look at Art and Design courses in the Student Zone, check London, the day was still fun and a great experience. out the latest high street and boutique fashion, watch make-up demonstrations and mingle with models. Highlights of the day were the fashion show, the fashion café and celebrity spotting! Not only is the Show an amazing insight into the world of fashion, providing CATERING inspiration for our students’ work, but it is also an excellent chance to find out more about courses and careers in Art and Textiles. Any One for Tea? ear 10 GCSE students Students Draw Life drawing class were treated Upon Art Skills Yto a visit to the Maritime Museum S and A2 Art students enjoyed to experience a an introduction to Life Drawing traditional afternoon workshop to broaden their tea as part of Aexperience and build up their portfolios. their Catering Life drawing is a great discipline for all coursework on levels of ability and provides scope for the same theme. improving drawing and sketching skills using At the Museum, the girls were able to experience “high tea”, see a range of different techniques and materials. The session focussed how it was presented and what food was served. The girls were on a range of drawing-based activities exploring the female form delighted to sample traditional afternoon tea elements including and was delivered by artist Anita Reid who brought her own scones with clotted cream and jam, macaroons, tea cakes, Bakewell female model. There is a growing demand for life drawing to be tart and cheesecake. Using what they have learnt, the girls will be part of an art student’s portfolio and it is now a requirement for better informed to complete their coursework and look forward foundation and University Art and Design courses, which makes to creating, preparing, baking and serving their own versions of these sessions all the more significant. The students took a lot from afternoon tea which Miss McLarnon looks forward to tasting! the session and produced some amazing work.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 9
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CATERING DANCE All-Singing, All-Dancing Ready, Steady, Bake! ance students were given ollowing Bake Off winners the the opportunity to attend success three exciting Dance trips of last year’s duringD the Autumn Term including F one of the greatest musicals of Comic Relief cake West Side Story competition, all times - - at the Miss McLarnan Liverpool Empire choreographed and Mrs Pearson by Jerome Robbins. Students in invited students Years 9 to 13 watched four pieces to dust down of work by the powerhouse of Rambert their aprons contemporary dance - the Dance Company and take part in - at the Lowry, L’Après-midi d’un Weatherhead’s Salford, including faune, Monolith, What Wild Ecstasy The Castaways very own Sport Relief Bake Off and and the premiere of . Swan Lake cake sale on 21st March. Students were The last trip was to see Matthew Bourne’s acclaimed , invited to bake cupcakes or large cakes also at the Lowry. Students were blown away with the costumes, with prizes for best entry in Years 7, 8 music, lighting and choreography - the performances certainly lived Swan Lake and 9. Staff judged their favourite cakes up to their expectations. was a particular favourite, an which were then sold or auctioned astounding piece which highlights Bourne’s vision and creativity off to staff and students, raising almost with the use of all-male swans. For GCSE and A level students, the £200 for Sport Relief. Winners were trips are an important opportunity to experience and reflect upon Jessica Kirk (Year 7), Maddy Pollitt theatre performances which they will draw upon during their written (Year 8), Chelsea Edwards (Year 9) and examinations. Nahida Parvin (KS4/5) who each won a Sport Relief apron! Well done to everyone who made, donated, judged and bought cakes! Meeting of minds with DESIGN TECHNOLOGY the Hammond School
ance teacher, Anthea Garratt, Rotary technology from the acclaimed HammondD School in challenge Chester, visited with some even keen designers from Year 9 battled it out at Neston High of her students earlier School against other Wirral schools in the annual Technology this year to work with Challenge organised by the Rotary Club of Neston. Amina our GCSE and A level SBibi, Millie Broadbent, Jessica Carney, Emilie Davies, Kelly Jameson, students. Anthea taught Poppy O’Brien and Rhianne Otter were challenged with coming up the girls a short piece with a creative idea to move a tennis ball from one side of a table to of choreography and Students enjoy Hammond workshop the other without touching it with their hands. The girls were allowed allowed them to develop to take a hand drill, junior hack saw, screw driver and glue with them the work with her support. Anthea was very impressed by our and were also given wood, screws, string, cardboard and elastic students and complimented them on their ability and focus. In bands to work with. After splitting into two teams, the girls worked addition to strengthening our links with the Hammond School, well together to develop two completely different designs and used the session was fun and challenging. Anthea was impressed with a range of skills including sawing, drilling, communication and team Weatherhead’s talent and invited the girls to watch the Hammond work! Both teams were able to overcome any difficulties they faced Graduate Showcase. and did a great job, making the school proud. The girls had a great time and learnt a lot from the experience.
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Wirral Youth Theatre ENGLISH irral Youth Poetry by Heart Theatre came into ear 13 English student Katie Usher competed in the Poetry W by Heart regional stages at the Lantern Theatre Liverpool, Weatherhead to work with our A against students from six Merseyside schools. Tying in with the level dancers. The Yhundredth anniversary of World War 1, Katie recited three poems - dancers focused one pre 1914, one post 1914 and a war poem entitled Envy, Divorce their Master and The Dancers. Katie performed well in all three rounds and only narrowly missed out winning a place to compete in the London Class on contact Wirral Youth Theatre workshop work that pupils national finals. Poetry By Heart is a national competition which would be able to is government funded and driven by Poet Laureate, Sir Andrew use in their own group dance work. The session was fun, extremely Motion. Miss Jones was delighted that Weatherhead was represented challenging and provided our students with the confidence to use for the second year running. The competition standards this year contact work in their external A level Dance examination. were high, and made even harder with students reciting three poems as opposed to two. What a Nutcracker! Conflicting Words ne Saturday in November, Gavin Persand, a Principle Dancer from Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures Dance Company n a cold Saturday in November, Miss Batey arranged for a came into school to deliver an exciting Dance workshop. small cohort of enthusiastic Year 9 girls to visit the award- GavinO played the part of a Gobstopper in Matthew Bourne’s winning Imperial War Museum North to discover powerful infamous Nutcracker! as well as other roles in Bourne’s work. Gavin storiesO that reveal how war shapes lives, from a soldier’s last letter taught a session to our Year 11 GCSE Dance students focussing on home to the twisted steel of New York City’s World Trade Centre. characterisation. The session was an excellent opportunity, not only The students were also given the chance to go up to the viewing to gain a unique insight into Bourne’s choreography and techniques platform in the Museum, one of the most iconic features of the for building characters’ performance skill, but also to learn about the Manchester skyline. Designed by internationally-renowned architect life of a dancer and what Matthew Bourne is like. Daniel Libeskind, the building’s iconic structure was inspired by the idea of a world shattered by conflict. The group were captivated by The Big Picture Show, an award-winning 360 degree experience unique to the Museum and found the day “truly inspiring and a DRAMA very educating”. The day played a pivotal part in helping the girls Pure Theatrics understand war poetry.
CSE and A level Drama and GCSE Performing Arts students were lucky enough to have a choice of four performances to watch last term including Arthur Miller’s All My Sons Gand A View from the Bridge. Tickets sold fast for the thrilling drama and comedy Sweeney Todd at the Royal Exchange in Manchester and for the National Theatre’s powerful production of War Horse at the Lowry. Students particularly enjoyed the Handspring Puppet Company’s horse puppet which cleverly brought life to the stage. Theatre trips are an important and exciting opportunity that we can offer our students which they analyse and subsequently write up as part of their A level and GCSE Drama syllabus.
WW1 poetry
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 11
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ENGLISH HEALTH & SOCIAL CARE (HSC)
Twenty Four Years of Success
eathertots is Weatherhead’s
very own successful Mums’ and Tots’ group which runs everyW Tuesday morning and Wednesday afternoon during term time under the experienced eyes of Mrs Roden and Mrs
Hearn. The group has been running since
1992 and attracts parents, grandparents and child minders from the local Our budding barrister with the Mayor community. The girls who assist on a Tuesday are studying Childcare and Education and go on to become very competent practitioners Youth Parliament working in a range of primary schools and nurseries within the local area. Girls who assist on a Wednesday are studying Health and Social n a cold, wintry night in November, Miss Batey accompanied Care, with a large number going on to study a diverse range of our accomplished orator Isobel to Wallasey Town Hall to courses such as Midwifery and Primary Education at university. attend Youth Parliament, only to set the night on fire! Young peopleO from secondary schools, Youth Outreach, support services and the Youth Offending Service from across Wirral came together to have their say on issues that affect them. Controversially, Isobel Diary of a Local focussed her speech on a contemporary issue that affects young people entering into Sixth Form - she argued that MPs should take Childminder a pay cut in order to fund the Education Maintenance Allowance ocal child minder, Hazel Sutton, began bringing children to (EMA). Her speech was well researched and she completely Weathertots thirteen years ago when her daughter was a captured the gallery. So much so that the panel voted in favour of student here and after her first visit became a regular. Over the her motion, 33 to 1. What a fantastic result! Miss Batey said, “I have years,L Hazel has brought thirteen children to the group including her never been more inspired by a young person, Isobel argued with two grandchildren who are now themselves students at Weatherhead. such passion and conviction - it blew me and everyone else away”. A Hazel championed the first-class child care provision and the caring massive well done to Isobel who is an asset to the school and should environment which ensures children not only have fun but learn be extremely proud of herself. through their experiences. Parents and carers delight at the vast array of water play, messy play, painting and activities on offer and the circle/ chat time during snack break where Weatherhead students sit with Reading Buddies the children and encourage them to share their news. The group also provides an opportunity for parents and carers to make new friends, Year 7 and Sixth Form buddies enjoy a cup of coffee and socialise with adults, with the children being cared for in a safe environment and in full view. The group works hard to provide themed activities at key times of the year including Easter egg hunts, Christmas parties and taking part in Dr Barnado’s Big Toddle. Following Hazel’s retirement last year, her daughter, also a registered childminder, has taken up her place and brings along two children to the weekly group. Although she no longer visits, Hazel keeps in regular contact with Mrs Hearn and the students.
Weatherhead’s Reading Buddies scheme started in January with a bang with a pizza lunch for the Sixth Form Reading Buddies and the Year 7 students they will be working with. Mrs Van Gordon and Miss Bate hosted the lunch so that the students could get to know each other in a relaxed and informal environment. The lunch was very successful, with lots of laughter, chat and, of course, plenty of food! It has certainly strengthened the relationships between the Reading Hazel celebrates her retirement with Level 2 students Buddies and their mentees. Several of the Year 7 girls are even hoping to become Reading Buddies themselves in the future!
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HUMANITIES Weathertots Alumni!
uch is the success of Weathertots that many of the tots return to Weatherhead in Year 7! We spoke to four Weathertots Alumni who are now in Year 7, 8, 9 and 10S about their memories. Sam Jacques, now a student in Year 8, remembers meeting new friends and how her parents enjoyed meeting other Mums and Dads at the group. Ellie Watson, now in Year 7, says that from an early age Weatherhead has always Students enjoy field trip been part of her life. She has fond memories of playing with the wooden kitchen, Outdoor Classroom Lego and reading books!
Experience wenty six of our AS level Geographers visited the Field Weathertots Alumni! Studies Council Centre at Preston Montford, Shropshire, to carry out crucial fieldwork as part of their AS Geography Texamination. The group undertook a study of river characteristics New Kid on the Block - and how they change downstream at Carding Mill Valley on the Long Mynd. The group were lucky enough to enjoy great weather from Student to Apprentice and spent the evening and next day completing their fieldwork write-up and undertaking computer based mapping work of their isa Martingell studied Childcare and Education Level 3 last year, data. Thanks go to the centre staff at Preston Montford - see you completing her qualification in June. Lisa has now taken a one next year! year Apprentice role at school, working as a Teaching Assistant. AsL well as supporting Year 7 students in lessons, Lisa also supports Level 2 Childcare and Education students during Weathertots helping London Calling to develop their communication skills. She is also involved in creating new activities and games as well as working with the young children, he Sociology Department took a group of Year 11 and has really valued the year to develop her experience beyond her students to London to immerse themselves in the social academic qualifications. It has demonstrated to her that she enjoys context and political history of the capital. The girls were working with all ages from Primary through Secondary, which will Tgiven a guided tour of the Palace of Westminster, walking through increase her flexibility when making applications. Lisa finds the work the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The group viewed very rewarding, supporting students and enjoying positive feedback the seats of Government figures including the Prime Minister and the from parents about her contribution. She would recommend such Leader of the Opposition. The group also spent time in Westminster a year’s placement as it has given her time to adjust to working Hall, which has stood for almost 1,000 years and has staged many life in a familiar environment where she has been able to build her historic events including the trials of Guy Fawkes and Charles I. To confidence and identify her real strengths and interests. end the day, students enjoyed a ride on the London Eye. As it was a sunny day, the views were incredible right across London highlighting many of the city’s famous landmarks. Eye eye
Lisa Martingell, new kid on the block
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 13
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Numeracy Across the Holocaust Survivor Curriculum Shares Experiences orty volunteers were S History students met Holocaust survivor, Anita recruited from Year 12 Canter, who spoke of her experience as a young Jewish to work with a group girl in Denmark during the war. Her story began in ofF Year 7 and 8 students during form time, lunch time and lessons A1943, when Anita was three - the year the Nazis began rounding to improve their numeracy skills. The programme has proved up Danish Jews. The Danish King made every effort to protect successful with students progressing well and some exceeding their his people and citizens started a mass rescue mission and target levels. The sessions also allow for Year 12 to experience peer managed to save 7,000 Danish Jews. Anita and her family were mentoring. Mrs Day is currently recruiting students from Year 9 and not so lucky. They were captured by Nazis and imprisoned in 10 to take over from the Year 12 students once their exams start. Copenhagen and then sent to Horserød camp. Anita recalled life in the camp and how, miraculously, just before the Jews were Maths transferred to a concentration camp in Germany, her family Maths Houses Houses was rescued because her mother was a Swiss citizen. Anita now lives in Liverpool and explained how her experience of aths Houses were launched the Holocaust has made her part of various equality and peace for Key Stage 3 classes back in groups. Her story was truly inspirational. November. The names of the Mfour houses were chosen by students from a list of inspirational British Female Mathematicians: Philippa Garrett Fawcett, Florence Nightingale, Charlotte Angas Scott and Grace Chisholm Young. Each MATHS House contains a mix of Year 7, 8, 9 and a range of abilities, with each form split over the four Houses. House points are awarded for Countless Ways to form time numeracy activities, attendance at Maths clubs (including Numeracy Club on Friday lunchtimes to help with Times Tables) and Celebrate Number Day for participating in events like Number Day. The leadership board has been close, with only a few points between first and second place. o mark NSPCC Number Day, the Maths Department ran At the beginning of March on the leadership board, Young House ‘countless’ Maths related activities to raise awareness for were in 1st place, Scott in 2nd, Fawcett 3rd and Nightingale 4th. the NSPCC. Alongside this they aimed to promote Maths Tas a fun subject and instigate a positive ‘can do’ attitude towards learning. Activities included: Number Hunt where members of staff Mathletes wore numbers and students had to hunt down members of staff in their ‘prime’, members of staff who were ‘perfect’ and any who may ear 8 and 12 gifted students have been meeting weekly to be ‘irrational’! Teams of students took part in Mind Gym and entered have fun with puzzles and practise problem solving using a race against the clock to discover mathematical words of various their logic skills and mathematics expertise. Sixteen Year 12 lengths in different categories. There was some intense concentration Ystudents took part in the UKMT Senior Individual Challenge and with excellent, and sometimes unusual, words found! Another were awarded one Silver and five Bronze certificates, with Emily popular activity was Who Wants to be a Mathionaire? - twelve Thompson crowned ‘Best in school’. questions were posted around the school for students to find and Pi Day cakes pick their answer from a choice of 4. They could ask a friend, or the audience, but could not choose 50/50! The week’s activity created a Pi Day real buzz around school and put Maths as a number one subject in he Maths Department organised the the minds of many Weatherhead students! first Pi Day in March celebrating all things Pi! Ang Lee’s adventure film Life Tof Pi was screened over two lunchtimes and students enjoyed a Pi jewellery making workshop using different coloured beads to signify numbers and create a Pi bracelet. Girls were also encouraged to enter a competition to memorise the digits of Pi with one Year 7 students remembering up to 45 digits! To round off the week, staff ran a Pi-themed cake sale with the most amazing array of Pi-themed cakes baked by members of the Maths team, Year 7 students Mia Laycock and Katie Pierce, Layla Connor from Year 9 and top catering student Amber Blair-Keyes. Generous donations and Number Day Team sales of the cakes raised £150 for Sport Relief.
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MFL Paella MUSIC
¡Viva España! Spreading the n a chilly evening in January, staff accompanied forty Year 9 pupils to La Tasca tapas restaurant in New Brighton. This was an Christmas Spirit r Brown Mariners’ Park Christmas concert opportunity for the students to practise their Spanish speaking skills O and Miss with teachers as well as with the restaurant staff. The girls enjoyed Rees a selection of delicious traditional tapas dishes including Tortilla took a Christmas Española (Spanish omelette), Patatas Bravas (roast potatoes in a M band and choir spicy tomato sauce), Chorizo (spicy sausage) and more. They also to Mariners’ Park watched chefs cook a huge dish of paella in front of them. Finally at the beginning the girls enjoyed the traditional doughnut type treat of Churros and of December to chocolate for dessert. Everyone had a fabulous evening, spoke lots of perform a mini Spanish and had very full tummies! Christmas concert to a group of thirty residents. The concert was very well received by the residents who joined in with many of their favourite carols. Residents were particularly taken with Year 9 student, Lizzie Elson’s solo performance. The group were treated to mince pies and tea afterwards and were delighted to mingle and chat to residents. The concert is an invaluable part of the on-going intergenerational work we do with Mariners’ Park.
Students enjoy Conway Freezing Festive Fundraising embers of Chamber Hola & Shwmae Conway Choir, Weatherhead Sings and the orty linguists from Years 10 and 11 visited the Conway Orchestra performed an Centre in Anglesey last month to take part in an immersive M assortment of festive songs and Spanish language course and experience. As well as practising carols during one cold afternoon in early December in support of their language skills, the girls took part in Salsa dancing, and a Spanish F Heart Research UK. The group played an hour long set on one of the themed treasure hunt and quiz, watched a Spanish film and wrote coldest days in December, warming the hearts of Christmas shoppers postcards home (in Spanish). All of the activities were completed in outside John Lewis at Liverpool One. The afternoon was organised by ex- Spanish and will be extremely helpful for all the girls in preparation Weatherhead student, Faye Keatley, who is currently in her third year for GCSE Speaking assessments. Even though the girls worked hard, at Leeds University and has been offered a job with Heart Research UK they had great fun and a good time was had by all. following a successful gap year with the organisation. Mr Brown and Heart Research Spanish Day activities Mrs Rees were delighted to support the cause and UK appreciated the hard work and effort by Weatherhead and the generous donations from the public. Music Students Make the Grade
Charlotte McCarthy Year 10 Grade 4 Clarinet PASS Frances Jory Year 10 Grade 7 Tenor Horn PASS Frances Jory Year 10 Grade 5 Theory PASS Tom Forfar Year 13 Grade 6 Guitar PASS Craig Pugh Year 13 Grade 6 Guitar PASS Emily Beresford Year 12 Grade 2 Flute PASS Elizabeth Elson Year 9 Grade 2 Flute PASS
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 15
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 15 08/04/2014 09:02 Subject Matters
PERFORMING ARTS PSHCE
nother busy term for PSHCE featuring workshops On With the Show and visits from professionals in all fields. The work or the second year running, the of the PSCHE department is to inform and educate Performing Arts Department ran a studentsA in Years 7 to 11, opening their eyes and minds to series of lunchtime showcases in the interesting and challenging topics. Mrs Moretta joined a TheatreF in the Autumn Term. Talented Music, Government working party in London tasked with devising Dance and Drama students from all year new guidance on relationships and sexual education. Her work groups performed an array of solo and group pieces. Students were and experience will undoubtedly ensure even better PSCHE able to showcase pieces that they had perfected during class as well provision to our girls. as during extra-curricular clubs. The showcases were free to attend PSCHE staff taught invaluable basic first aid skills to our and were well supported by students. The aim of the showcases Year 7 students including CPR. Wirral Road Safety revisited is to provide the opportunity for girls who have never performed Weatherhead to talk to Year 7 students about the importance of on stage in front of an audience, to increase their confidence and road safety and dangers on the road, particularly the distractions perfect their skills. For those more accomplished students it is an friends and mobile phones can cause. Year 10 learnt about the opportunity to show their progress and talent. The events also importance of wearing seatbelts and wearing them correctly. provided an ideal chance for GCSE Performing Arts students to Two officers from Merseyside Transport Police spoke to Year provide technical support on which they are formally assessed. 8 on the importance of responsible and sensible behaviour on buses ensuring that our girls are always safe on their journey to school or whilst out and about during the weekends and For One Night holidays. Students in Years 7, 8 and 9 took part in a variety of workshops with DARA (Drugs, Alcohol and Relationship Only... Advice) exploring the effects and impacts of illegal and legal drugs and alcohol. This certainly opened the girls’ eyes to some ur talented GCSE and A level Dance, of the harsh realities of drug and alcohol abuse. The Wirral Drama, Music and Performing Arts Youth Offending Team came in to talk to Year 11 students about students performed to an audience social media and highlighted the dangers of taking inappropriate ofO family, friends and staff at ‘An Evening photographs and uploading them onto social media sites. of Performing Arts’ in October. The event, Students looked at the implications for individuals as well now in its second year, offers an invaluable as possible criminal Front of House team opportunity for students to perform on charges. In an age stage in front of an audience and to show where social media parents what they have learnt and how they have progressed. The is so dominant, this event also allowed GCSE Performing Arts students the opportunity workshop was very to control lighting, sound, curtains and act as Front of House - all timely. important elements of their exam and portfolio work.
Winter Warmer Year 8 Students
ver 150 talented Winter Warmer Performing Arts All in a Rush students took ear 8 students visited the Liverpool partO in our Winter Maritime Museum to take part Warmer Christmas in the acclaimed Rush drugs Concert. Students from Yawareness programme. After watching a all year groups were compelling drama performance depicting represented in Dance, teenagers and their experience with Drama, Music and Performing Arts and came together to perform drugs at University, students spent the afternoon attending Christmas themed songs, carols, dances and pieces of Drama which workshops, visited the Seized exhibition and took part in a discussion they had been working on for months. Highlights included the Year and question and answer session with the Rush actors. The girls 11 Performing Arts group singing Gary Barlow’s Sing and the Year 9 experienced first-hand the effects of alcohol by trying on Booze Drama group’s piece entitled Mr Topsy’s Toy Shop. This was a whole Goggles which distort your vision, simulating the influences of alcohol department effort and an opportunity for students to show off their on the senses. talents to an audience of family, friends and staff, as well as kick start the Christmas season.
16 WEATHER REPORT
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 16 08/04/2014 09:02 Subject Matters
A QUESTION OF SPORT
ear 8 and 9 girls were treated to a performance by Championship Champions Open the Door Theatre Company themed around raising welve of our most talented trampolinists represented aspirations and building confidence. The performance Weatherhead in the regional stage of the National Yaimed to deliver clear messages and instil motivation, and was Trampoline Championships. Out of forty four competitors engaging, interactive and fun. The question and answer session our Year 7 and 8 girls did themselves proud in the Under 13 Novice at the end allowed the girls to grill the actors about their lives, T category and were ranked as follows: Lucy Cook 12th, Emily Williams careers, aspirations, dreams and how they got where they 14th, Hannah Davies 18th and Rebecca Chittick 28th with a team wanted to be in life. position of fifth. The Under 15 Novice team, made up of Year 9 and 10 students, fought hard in a highly competitive category and were ranked as follows: Holly Cook 17th, Niamh Caley 36th, Jodie SCIENCE Diamond 40th, Melissa Whitwell 47th and came ninth as a team. Students from Years 11 - 13, who competed with thirty other girls in the Under 19 Novice class, were delighted to take third place as Applying Science a team with Megan Smyth ranked 3rd, Kirby Holsgrove 13th, Amy Jones 15th and Caitlin McGreary 32nd . Sadly the team missed out s part of their Ecology and Managing the Environment on qualifying to the next round by 0.3 of a point. portfolio, Year 13 Applied Scientists visited Anglesey. The group spent the first day investigating the abundance and distribution of species living on sheltered and exposed rocky shores. AThe students were amazed at the variety of life on the shore and Soccer Round Up the strange Latin names that scientists use to identify them. The eatherhead’s group stayed overnight in their own wooden cabin at the Anglesey footballers continue Outdoor Centre where they feasted on homemade pizza and chips to go from strength followed by cake and ice cream. An array of onesies appeared as to strength! The Under 12 Team the students settled down in front of the TV to relax before bed! W recently began their campaign After a full English breakfast, the students were ready to head back for the English Schools’ National to the shore to complete their individual investigation researching 9-a-side Cup and beat Wirral the effect of wave action on the size of different snail species before Grammar to progress to Round Under 14 footballers heading back to Weatherhead, a little windswept and tired, but more 3 - we will keep you posted on knowledgeable about marine life! their progress via the website. To complete their portfolio, the Year 13 Applied Scientists recently It has been a fantastic opening visited the WWT Martin Mere Wetland Centre. The group met one season for our Under 13 team of the rangers and were given a presentation on the work of the who reached the Quarter Finals WWT, both nationally and internationally. They also encountered (Round 7) of the Playstation a variety of wild and captive birds ranging from Hooper swans to English Schools’ National Cup Mandarin ducks and Avocets. The day ended with a visit to the otter and the Area Finals of the feeding session before returning to school to analyse and evaluate Football League Cup putting the Centre’s data to determine the success of the management of Under 16 footballers them in the top eight in the their current projects. country! Sadly the Under 14 team’s season was cut short, as they were narrowly beaten in Round 2 of the English Schools’ National Cup back in September. The squad was unlucky to exit the competition after displaying excellent skills, determination and sportsmanship throughout the hour-long game. Despite the result, this was an encouraging and mature start to the season, which will only improve with continued commitment and the remarkable attitudes that the team have shown so far. The Under 16 girls also made a promising start to the season but were unlucky to exit at Round 4 of the English Schools’ National Cup to St. Bede’s RC School despite goals from team captain Rebekah Williams and striker Shannon Gower.
Applied Scientists in action
For all the latest sports updates, follow us on Twitter @WeatherheadPE 17
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Heads Up!
ongratulations to the Year 8 Volleyball team on a fantastic performance at the CWirral Schools’ Under 13s Volleyball Championships played at Wirral Grammar School in February. The team showed excellence in reaching the semi-final with double figure winning scores, beating Woodchurch Boys A team convincingly. The girls came top of their group, winning all five of their games: Year 10 Netball team Woodchurch 29-0, Wirral Girls 31-13, Prenton 27-10, Woodchurch Boys 18-14, Wirral Girls 22-19 and progressing to the semi-finals undefeated. This led to a nail biting semi-final with Prenton High Netballers Give It Their School who just edged ahead in the game winning 15 -10 leading us Best Shot to finish in fourth place against Wirral Girls, losing 5-15. ur Senior Netball teams have had a busy season playing matches against St. Mary’s, South Wirral, University Academy Birkenhead, Upton and Wirral Grammar, and taking part in the WirralO Netball Festival. Despite great passing, impressive goal scoring and some very close games, the girls narrowly missed out on victory. Our Year 10 and 11 teams were captained by Gemma Moreland and Lauren Pringle and comprised Agalya Amalanathan, Bethany Barreiro, Ciara Blair, Megan Cockcroft, Nina Conlan, Molly Evanson, Rebecca Gardner, Rachel Hall, Hannah Harper, Katie Hilliard, Fay Hunter, Chloe Jones, Banusha Kugabalan, Leah McGinty, Coral Moffatt, Brittany Pierce, Lucy Seddon, Megan Schoeman, Maddie Thomson and Megan Hockey Team at Wirral Festival Trevor, with the addition of Year 13 students Brogan Hayes and Katie Parker for matches against Upton. Hockey Players are on the Ball! he Year 7 and 8 Hockey squads entered into the Wirral Hockey Festival at the Oval Sports Centre in November Weatherhead Girls are Front and although they did not make the finals they played with gustoT and showed off some real skill. Well done to Year 7 students Runners in Cross Country Ellie Butler, Grace Carrington, Sarah Clement-Evans, Lucy Cook, Hannah Diamond, Abbie Hanson, Emily Harding, Tiffany Lutas, Charlie ear 8 and Pritchard, Ellie Wilson, Erin Doherty and Year 8 Abbie Edwards, 9 students Georgia Foundation, Kathryn Weir and Maisie Woods. competed in a YWirral Cross Country fixture at the Glasspool Fields at Caldy Rugby Swimmers Club and out of a very strong field Lois Davis Get a Head Start and Evie Evans came 14th and 26th respectively. Special mention irls from Years 7 to 9 must also go to Year 8 students Jodie Ballard, Emily Campbell, Hannah were part of a strong Davies, Libby Davies, Chloe Filer, Alicia Jones as well as Georgia swim squad who took Barber and Ashleigh Watson in Year 9 for their steely determination Gpart in the Wirral Swimming finishing in the top forty. Gala hosted at Birkenhead High School in December. The girls performed well on the day and Swim Squad PE Students are Awesome! were placed third overall with 85 points - a fantastic achievement for Lucy Bufton and Imogen Jones s part of their GCSE PE practical, some of our Year 11 (Year 7), Erin Baker Collins, Rachael Sheen and Emily Smith (Year 8), students have had fun learning to rock climb at Awesome Lydia Hignett and Tori Sopp (Year 9). Tori Sopp scooped first place Walls in Liverpool. As well as achieving great marks for in the 50m Freestyle and the 50m breast stroke, and the girls took the practical element of their GCSE, they have learnt new skills, A second place in the 25m Medley Relay and first place in the 25m developed their leadership and teamwork, and loved every minute Free Relay. of it.
18 WEATHER REPORT
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 18 08/04/2014 09:02 Spotlight on the LRC
Read All About It!
iss Grainger has launched several reading groups this year including a Year 9 cluster who will be an official ‘Carnegie Shadowing’ group, who will read the shortlisted books for the 2014Carnegie Medal, have their own discussions and vote for their favourites. The Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to Mthe writer of an outstanding book for children - the winner receives a gold medal and £500 worth of books to donate to a library of their choice. A Sixth Form reading group has also been set up with The Guardian Online, encouraging members to carry out video reviews of their Teen Book Club books to help guide other online members. Check out www.theguardian.com/childrens-books-site/series/teen-book-club for more details.
The Writing’s on the Wall ince the beginning of the Back to School - Magic & Mayhem Khailah Boyce 9MLI and Olivia Wheadon 7NVG. Autumn Term there have winners been many writing and poetry Spooktacular winners Gabrielle Griffiths 7DR and Zara Swain 9HCO competitionsS themed around the seasons and events of the year. Rivalry Christmas Festive Feast winners Shannon Marston 7JBR and Alexa Boyce 7CDN was fierce with two competitions attracting over a hundred entries! Well New Year, New Start winners Faye Clarke 7RMN and Emma Hesketh 7MA done to all the girls who took part and in case you missed it, here are Luuurrrve is in the Air winners Megan Bell 7CDN, Esther Evans 9RLE the winners of recent competitions. Prizes included Amazon book vouchers, Design a Book Cover winners Charlie Pritchard (7MGR), Joanne Spamer (9SWO) sketching sets and other stationery goodies.
A full list of winners, runners up and commendations for all the latest competitions can also be found on the LRC noticeboard.
Swap Shop iss Grainger organised a lunchtime book swap/sale in March allowing students to donate books for the sale in exchange for a ‘free book’ from the sale. Second hand books were also for sale to all students for the princely sum Mof 10 or 20 pence. World Book Day
orld Book Day (WBD) was a big hit at Weatherhead. The LRC was a real hive of activity. Students took part in Reading Bingo, designed book covers, wrote short stories and poetry for the Writing Extravaganza and tackled word searches. Many students joined inW with the Readathon, a sponsored reading event for children’s charities where students set their own reading challenges (for example read the entire Harry Potter series). The Readathon runs until after the Easter holidays - it’s not too late to sign up! whether for charity or just for fun. Staff were invited to share their passion for reading by taking photographs hiding behind their favourite book - students were encouraged to enter the competition and guess who! Twenty five pupils from Park Primary School also joined in the celebrations and visited the LRC in the afternoon dressed as their favourite literary characters including Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland, Dr Seuss’s Lorax and Jacqueline Wilson’s Tracy Beaker! Three of our Arts and Literacy World Book Day competition Leaders supported the afternoon reading Roald Dahl’s Cinderella from Revolting Rhymes and helping students to complete crosswords and word jumbles and design their own book covers.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 19
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 19 08/04/2014 09:02 Extra Curricular
Ladies Who Ladies who lunch Lunch! iss McCoy, Mrs Daly and Mrs Duffy run the Ladies Who Lunch club every Wednesday lunch-time in F103. A regular group of ten students from Year 7 and 8 attend Meach week to make and eat their lunch. The girls really enjoy learning how to prepare different foods on a budget and then socialising whilst eating their lunch. During the Christmas period they made a selection of festive goodies and celebrated Shrove Tuesday by creating and flipping a variety of pancakes.
Curtains Up! IceRadio xtra-curricular lunchtime Drama clubs, led by Miss Ord, have he IceRadio team had a productive year with lots of interest and commitment is now a dozen shown by many girls, and the performances just keep coming! strong and has Year 7 and 8 Drama clubs performed lunchtime showcases using E attracted promising DJ’s different poems about ‘school’. They transformed the poem from T from Year 7, Year 9 and the paper onto stage, incorporating Physical Theatre and working as an Sixth Form. Each show ensemble. Inspired by the festive spirit, each club created their own is themed around the Christmas play which they performed to an audience of friends one week’s assembly and the lunch time. Year 8 and Year 9 students were then invited to perform music chosen accordingly. their pieces at the Christmas Concert. Year 9 took us back to our The students also include childhood days in Mr Topsy’s Toyshop, where the toys gave us an insight information about local into the days leading up to Christmas on a lonely Toyshop shelf. Miss events, top films, the music Year 9 IceRadio Team Ord says, “I am so proud to be working with such talented young chart and shout outs! ladies, their attendance and commitment has been commendable! The Each team is currently creating their own show jingles as well as girls are always bursting with ideas and eager to perform and their introductions for news and weather. Shows are broadcast most energy is infectious!” Year 7 and 8 are currently working on Musical Fridays so keep listening and requesting your favourite songs and Theatre pieces to create their own show stopping act to perform at shout-outs. the next lunchtime showcase... on with the show! Literacy in Action
ear 9 students, Amelia Adley and Sophie Ellis, have set up a Reading Club open to all Key Stage 3 students. The Club Ymeets every Wednesday lunch time in C201 encouraging girls to read their own choice of book and to hold an open discussion on their chosen book. The Club also offers the chance to write book reviews and vote for ‘books of the month’. The Club is a really great initiative driven by two book lovers and welcomes fellow bookworms.
Drama Club rehearsals & performances Visit the school website to view the full extra-curricular ! timetable
20 WEATHER REPORT
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 20 08/04/2014 09:02 Sixth Form
Starting Sixth Form ny students reviewing their options for Sixth Form are Volunteering Update welcome to visit Weatherhead at any time. We are holding ‘Open Door’ drop-ins for anyone who wishes to look Aaround and chat to our Sixth Form team about course choices or Sixth Form study. The next ‘Open Doors’ are on Wednesday 4th May and Wednesday 18th June 2014.
Spooky Spectacular ixth Form students continued Jade Franks with Jade Barrett and Mrs Henderson theS Weatherhead tradition of he Sixth Form Volunteer Programme continues to go from organising a strength to strength with 68 students contributing to the Halloween wider community, both in and out of school. Placements themed disco for range from work with local charities, to local brownie and scout Year 7 students. T groups. Sixth Formers also support many school initiatives including The theatre was 6th form dress up for Halloween Number Buddies, Literacy Leaders, Arts Leaders Sixth Form Friends eerily decorated and . in spider webs As part of her Year 12 Enrichment, Jade Franks spends two hours and green lighting, transforming it every Wednesday afternoon volunteering for the Clatterbridge into a fabulously spooky disco. The Cancer Centre. Jade is available for all manner of jobs and activities Organising Committee organised and has coordinated and taken part in supermarket bag packs, and games and a tuck shop, with prizes handed out mince pies at Christmas on the wards, as well as general awarded for best costume, scariest office and administration duties. As an AS Drama student, Jade also costume and best dancer. Not only took part in the Evening of Performing Arts last year and supported is the event great fun but it also SuperStars which raised £1,000 for the charity. Jade writes, “I have encourages new friendships a month been a volunteer at the Centre for the last year and was overjoyed into the new term. Year 12 and 13 when I found out that school had chosen to support them. The students also got into the spirit of Halloween by dressing up for charity is very close to the hearts of both staff and students and we the day to raise money for charity (and shock staff with their wanted to thank everyone for the amazing support and care our scary and outrageous outfits including Mr Potato Head, a banana, loved ones received at the centre”. Jade is currently organising a sky a Smurf, gangsters, Minnie Mouse, cats, a nun and more!) dive to raise yet more funds!
Boys’ Sixth Form Football Takes Off
eptember saw the launch of Weatherhead’s first boys’ football team, with the aim of providing not only a Sixth Form extra-curricular club but something the boys could call their own. Since playing their first fixture, the team has gone from strength to strength. TheyS recently had their first victory of the season and a week later progressed through to the next round of the Wirral Under 19 Cup. A key feature of this rapid improvement has been not only the emergence of a core group of talented players within the squad, but the effort and enthusiasm which has been shown by all. “I am really proud of the lads and the way they have approached this new adventure” said Mr Johnston. “We had a rocky first fixture and some could have been put off but they stuck at it and are now reaping the rewards. Sixth Form footballers Watching them play is a massive thrill for me. I would like to thank Mrs Crosby and Mrs Vaughan, who have been very supportive, and especially Miss Powley who has encouraged us from the start”.
Excitement is already building for this year’s Prom, which takes place at the Hilton Hotel in Liverpool on 26th July. Tickets cost ! £30 available from Mrs Lambert.
Follow us on Twitter @Weatherhead6th for all the latest updates 21
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 21 08/04/2014 09:03 Higher Education & Careers
Esther McVey attends Employment Minister the Business Breakfast Joins us for Breakfast e were delighted that the Rt. Hon. Esther McVey, Government Minister for Employment, joined the Future Choices Business Breakfast event which explored how best to support the next generation of students to succeed inW the competitive world of work. Ms McVey praised the school’s forward- thinking in addressing the issues and creating a forum for debate and development between key stakeholders. Presentations by Dr Fiona Watson, Director of Admissions at University of Liverpool, and Brian Stone of Jaguar Land Rover explored the benefits of greater cross collaboration. Industry Insiders speaker, Rachel Johnson, showcased opportunities for professionals to share their experience with schools. Assistant Headteacher, Mrs Bainbridge, who oversees the Future Choices programme said, “The event has been highly valuable to us in understanding the needs of the workplace and sharing the desire of both the school and students to engage early and proactively to inform and raise aspirations in our students. It is everyone’s responsibility - students, parents, schools, trainers and employers - to work together to enable our talented young people to take full advantage of the employment opportunities out there.”
Students Learn How to Careers Fair Succeed in Exams t the beginning of December a host of representatives from local businesses and Universities came to ear 9 students and their parents were Weatherhead to take part in a Careers Fair for invited to an evening with renowned students and their parents. A vast range of companies attended Educational Consultant, Andrew Newton A including Chester University, the Civil Service, Mexichem, TTE at the beginning of last term. The evening Y Training and Development, Vauxhall, the Royal Navy, OSM offered lively and interactive sessions on topics such as revision planning, Consultants, Liverpool John Moores University, Merseyside Police use of the internet, and strategies for dealing with stress (for students and BBC Radio Merseyside. Hundreds of our students attended and parents) as well as revision techniques. Students really benefitted and received help and advice about routes into university and from the evening and will be better placed to sit their exams without employment. The event ran all day and into the evening and was being stressed or worried. a great success, with those attending finding it an interesting, insightful and enjoyable day. A Taste of Teaching for Year 12 leven students from Year 12 visited Edge Hill University in the New Year for an Education Taster Day aimed at students considering a career in education. Throughout the day, students learnt more Eabout courses available at Edge Hill and routes into teaching, including entry requirements and how to apply. Students took part in practical sessions to learn more about teaching as a profession, took a campus tour which enabled them to see the wide range of facilities on offer and gained an opportunity to experience university life. The taster sessions included Primary and Early Years Education, and Secondary Education, as well as Undergraduate Professional Development courses.
Careers Fair exhibitors
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A word from our A word from an Apprentices undergraduate... eatherhead is very proud of its former Sixth Form students who by Rebecca have now secured their first choice higher education places as a consequence of taking a one year Apprenticeship role at Dennis Weatherhead.W Talented Dance and Drama student Chantelle Davies has recently secured one of only twenty much sought-after places to study Community “In September I joined hundreds of fellow Drama at LIPA. Chantelle knew that on completing her studies she wanted students venturing into the alien experience to work within the Performing Arts industry, but had no clear view of what that is university. Having accepted a place area and what might lead to a secure career. Taking time out allowed her to research and identify the area in which she was most interested and at the University of Liverpool to study develop her strengths in a working environment. The Community Drama Mathematics, I was not only daunted by the course will develop skills to teach, direct, organise and create and allow Chantelle to facilitate Drama Therapy. prospect of meeting new people and tutors, Emily Bates, a former Biology, Psychology and History student, has but also by studying a subject that I knew similarly benefitted from her year Apprenticeship working as a History would be a challenge. I have now begun my Teaching Assistant and Biology and Psychology mentor for Sixth Form students. Emily has recently secured a fully bursaried place studying second semester and I can honestly say that Physiotherapy at Liverpool University, one of the top four leading university has exceeded my expectations. Physiotherapy training centres in the country. Emily has always aspired to With so many opportunities to join societies become a Physiotherapist, since seeing her grandmother treated, but on completing her studies she did not feel ready to apply. Emily has used the and with such a close knit community, it year to build her confidence and develop her experience working with has been exciting to meet so many different outside organisations to make her the most eligible candidate for the people and the learning experience has been course. Jack Ward has spent his year working within the Media Department, fantastic. Living in Wallasey means that whilst also completing his Film Studies A level and taking part in school university is conveniently close, just a train talent competitions! Jack’s role as Media Assistant includes filming and photographing school events and lessons, supporting and editing school journey away. I think Weatherhead gave and community film projects, filming A level practical exams and training me the necessary skills I needed to really students to use media equipment. Jack has recently been offered a place be ready for university. There were so to read Media Production at John Moores University with the hope of working in radio or television production in the future. many different uni talks and activities in Offering advice to students currently studying for A levels, the year 12 and 13 which gave me the relevant apprentices advocate taking your time, not feeling pressure to rush information I needed to make sure that uni into anything or to feel you have to follow the crowd. Whilst taking a different route was nerve wracking, they all agreed that they are now was for me. Advice I’d give to students more confident. The support and encouragement of Weatherhead staff in preparing for exams would be to manage welcoming them as colleagues has been invaluable in helping them to the your time and enjoy the ride! Revision can next stage of their education and careers. be stressful and works differently for everyone, but I think it’s important to enjoy the things you’re learning. Take your books everywhere with you, read them on your bus home or try to recall things you’ve learned during lessons. My advice for venturing into uni would be to ask questions. Make mistakes. Learn from them. Have fun. That way you can’t go wrong.”
For the most up-to-date Extra Curricular information and timetable visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk/keyparentsinformationforparents/extracurricular 23
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Bristol Myers Squibb Your Future, ear 12 students attended a day’s work experience at local pharmaceutical giant, Bristol Myers Squibb, in February half term. Your Choice This was a great opportunity for the students to see Science in n September, Year 11 and 12 students had the opportunity to Yaction! Working in teams in the labs, they learnt about the methods attend the Your Future, Your Choice careers event at the Floral of producing medicine. They also discovered the ‘ins and outs’ of Pavilion. Employers, training and apprenticeship providers product design and development, including health and ethical issues. Icame together to inform young people of the opportunities The students were also able to gain an insight into the various job available to them in the local area. The event gave our students roles within this field and were able to talk to professionals about valuable information about what opportunities are available to their route into their career. It was a truly inspirational day, helping our them when they leave Weatherhead. students to learn more about future career opportunities in Science.
Weatherhead post up all the latest careers and higher education information on the school website to help our students make informed choices about their futures. Click on the School Information > Careers Guidance Future Choices section.
We also create regular Twitter alerts to keep students up to date on opportunities or events that may benefit them.
Follow us on Twitter @Weatherhead6th for all the latest information.
Scan the QR code with a smart phone for our direct Twitter feed
Students, and parents, can also get one- to- one careers and higher education advice from our school based Careers Advisor, Miss Smith.
Simply ‘drop-in’ any Tuesday evening from 3.30pm or contact Miss Smith at school to make an appointment
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166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 24 08/04/2014 09:03 G&T Programme
Weatherhead’s business tycoons Blinded by Science!
he London Science Museum outreach team visited school to deliver two interactive Science shows to girls in Years 7, 8 and 9. The girls had a hair raising time during the Danger, THigh Voltage workshop learning more about electricity and loved the gross out show It Takes Guts which followed the journey of your food into your mouth, through the acid bath into your stomach, along metre after metre of pulsating guts, and then… out the other end! Students thoroughly enjoyed the day and got to explore topics that they cover in Key Stage 3 in more depth in a fun yet challenging way. Pupils from New Brighton Primary and Christchurch Primary School joined us to watch Glorious Blood, a show for those with an interest Business Tycoons in the Making in blood, guts .... and all things gross! Pupils followed the journey of s part of the nationwide enterprise competition blood through the human body, discovering what it does, what is in it, Tycoon in Schools 2013, twelve Year 8 students made where it goes, and what happens when you start to lose it. over £100 from sales of handmade cards sold in schoolA and at the Christmas Fair from their business idea Cards with Love xox. Weatherhead’s budding entrepreneurs were among 700 talented students who were selected by Nil Desperandum Dragon’s Den Peter Jones CBE to receive funding to kick-start group of Year 9 linguists will be the first cohort to be their business ideas and trade during November with the hope entered for a Latin qualification this summer. Georgia Bewley, of winning the coveted Tycoon in Schools 2013 award. Run by Georgia Hepke, Elise Levett, Poppy O’Brien, Poppy Smith and the Peter Jones Foundation, the competition is open to secondary AAutumn Townsend began studying Latin in Year 7 and after three years of school students aged 11 to 18 and challenges students to getting to grips with the language will take a GCSE level qualification in Latin develop skills and knowledge required to set up their own and Roman Civilisation. The girls have shown dedication and hard work business and make as much money as possible in one month attending Latin once a week after school for the last three years and the of trading. Although our girls did not reach the final they found hard work has paid off! Many students ask why bother studying Latin? The the experience fun and challenging. G&T Lead, Mr Riley, was answer is simple - it helps us be able to learn any language, it is the language impressed with the girls’ confidence, enthusiasm and creativity of law, medicine, and logic, and helps train the mind by approaching throughout the whole process and delighted with the results. problems systematically. Girls Are Starry Eyed ear 11 G&T students had an A* focus study skills and motivation session after school in February focussing on exam technique for ‘killer’ questions. A similar session was held for Year 10 G&T students who attended a Saturday study skills session in March run by the Learning Performance Institute and focussed on revision techniques. These sessions aim to motivate our girls, encouraging them to fulfil their Ypotential and aspire to fully achieve the grades they deserve. This cohort also meet regularly for fortnightly debating on such divisive issues as the beauty industry and animal testing, the death penalty and organ selling, to develop their critical thinking and communication skills.
Bridging the Oxbridge Gap n January, Year 12 Scholars Sarah Houlighan and Wynsei Chu attended a taster weekend at Cambridge University to get a feel for the university and find out more about admission, courses and facilities. They enjoyed the chance to act like undergraduates, attending lectures, dining in the Great Hall and sleeping in student residences. I Our Year 12 Oxbridge cohort went to an’ Introduction to Oxbridge’ event at West Kirby Grammar School, and six Year 12 students also visited the Haydock Racecourse to attend the Oxbridge Student Conference. Our Scholars have also been conducting regular debates as part of their Scholars’ Lunches with Senior Staff in preparation for the rigours of higher education interviews. Excitingly, Emily Xu has already received one offer from the highly prestigious Imperial College, London, to read Science, and is currently debating further options. It is a time of great excitement and aspiration for all our students and we wish them all well with their future choices.
For more G&T information, go to our website: School Information > Gifted Gateway 25
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 25 08/04/2014 09:03 Leadership
School Council School Council News he School Council comprises two students elected from each year Tgroup, a Year Leader nominated representative and members of the SSLT. Each year group has a Year Council made up of ten members who meet on a monthly basis. The School Council then meets on a monthly basis to discuss the issues raised and feedback ideas to Tutor Groups and Year Councils. Through this mechanism, all our students have a voice in the decision making progress. During the Autumn Term, the Council delivered assemblies and launched the new School Council website page, along with a ‘suggestion box’ feature which allows students to submit their own ideas directly to the Council. In October, four Councillors attended the Wirral Youth Voice Conference (WYVC) at Wallasey Town Hall, an annual conference organised by Wirral Council’s Children and Young People’s Department. The students who attended the conference explored issues that were important to them and questioned senior officers from partner organisations and councillors from Wirral Council on policy matters and service provision. In November, five School Councillors attendedthe Wirral Schools’ Pupil Panel Conference and were given the opportunity to discuss anti-bullying policies and how Weatherhead’s existing policy might be updated or amended. As a result, Year 8 School Councillors are working closely with Miss Sullivan to update the existing anti-bullying policy.
Students Sports Council are a 013-14 has seen the introduction of a new Sports Council made up of Sports Captain, Elle Barnes-Reen and Tour de Deputies Rachel Beattie, Faye Kendrick, Melody Green, Kirby-Anne2 Holsgrove, Izzy Medley and Katie Parker from Years 11 Force to 13. The Sports Council also consists of representatives from each year group who undertake roles including Sports Ambassadors, ourteen Year 12 Sports Leaders, Sports Journalists and other roles in the PE students have been department for Key Stage 3 students. The Council meet on a involved in the Museum regular basis to discuss and create new opportunities within and ofF Liverpool Junior Tour Guide around sports which may include extra-curricular activities, festivals programme - an initiative Junior Tour Guides and leadership opportunities in the community. aimed at training students to lead tours around the Museum Galleries. The group have been engaged in sessions that have been tailored to improve their confidence and presentation skills as well as developing their knowledge of the Museum collections. The students have been planning activities centred round the First World War exhibition and the East Meets Sports Council West exhibition. Upon completion of their training they will be responsible for delivering tours and workshops to Year 7 girls and the public.
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CLSA session CLSA session School Council
Strengthening Community Links ixteen Year 12 students are working towards their Community Sports Leaders Award (CSLA) with Miss Chard. The group have been working hard to prepare sessions that transfer their leadership skills from the classroom into workshops in several local primary schools. The leaders committed themselves to running a six week programme delivering fun and practical sessions to hundreds of primaryS school pupils in Years 1 to 6. The aim of the sessions was to introduce boys and girls to new sports equipment, and to coordinate fun activities which the pupils and their teachers loved.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 27
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 27 08/04/2014 09:03 Leadership
Subject Young Artists Take Up Residence Ambassadors he Young Artists in Residence initiative goes from strength to strength with eight Year 12 Art and Textiles students continuing to work with the Educational Managers based at here are currently over the Walker Art Gallery this year. The programme aims to create a team of young artists in one hundred committed Tresidence based at the Gallery who have been trained to deliver live Art sessions and lead tours for students acting as the public and our younger students in the Spring Term. The project is not only helping our students TSubject Ambassadors, whose to develop their interest in Art but is also developing their leadership skills. The group have also role is to support departments been responsible for creating a blog that has been documenting their work throughout the project. through this academic year. Taking In May, the students hope to lead their tours at Light Night accompanied by Year 12 Music student on the role provides students with Sam Kidd playing guitar. an opportunity to enhance their communication, interpersonal Weatherhead tour guide and organisational skills as well as boosting their confidence - attributes that are increasingly vital for successful university applications.
Young Artist in Residence Subject Ambassadors
Lunchtime activities Students Keep Active!
ur Active Playground Scheme continues to be successful, particularly at Key Stage 3. SinceO September, girls in Years 7, 8 and 9 have taken full advantage of the initiative which encourages socialising, making friends, using new equipment and playing games at lunchtime. The scheme is run by thirty Active Playground Leaders who have volunteered from Years 8 to 11 and take responsibility for the promotion, organisation and running of the club. The girls have embraced their roles as Active Playground Leaders and have demonstrated high levels of commitment, great time management, excellent communication skills and social cohesion across all year groups.
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166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 28 08/04/2014 09:03 Leading Professional Development
Networking of the highest order s a consequence of Weatherhead’s 2012 Ofsted Outstanding Grade, the school was encouraged to become a beacon sharing best educational practice. Wirral Governors convened here for a Governors’ Conference with National Pupil Premium Champion, John Dunford, sharing Astrategies and advice for school governors on how to support their schools to effectively close the gap for disadvantaged students. 40 staff from local primary and secondary schools attended a day conference organised by Weatherhead with Leading Educational Specialist, Clare Gadsby, on Perfect Assessment for Learning. Claire delivered some high-impact approaches to ensure that assessment, progress and student learning are tightly linked and embedded in schools’ teaching and learning. Claire delivered a separate after-school session to develop Weatherhead’s outstanding teaching and learning even further. ‘Inclusion for All’ was the theme underpinning a professional session to support schools with strategies to prevent homophobic bullying and language. The conference, organised jointly with Kilgarth School, was led by Shaun Dellenty, Headteacher of Alfred Salter Primary School, London, which is highly regarded for its inclusive learning environment for all students. The conference was attended by 50 delegates from across Wirral schools drawing from governors, head teachers and other senior staff. The proceeds of the event enabled us to make a £250 donation to the charity ‘Inclusion for All’, founded and led by Shaun. Commenting on the programme of events, Deputy Headteacher, Mr Wright said: ‘Weatherhead benefits significantly from engaging in these educational forums Deputy Headteacher, Mr Wright, and Kilgarth which enable the school to stay at the forefront of developments, ensuring that we Headteacher, Mr Baker, present a charity donation to continually develop our already outstanding practice.’ ‘Inclusion for All’ founder, Shaun Dellenty
School Direct
eatherhead is proud to be part of an alliance of Wirral schools offering School Direct Initial Teacher Training (ITT) . This is an exciting new training route for top graduates interested in teaching at Primary, Secondary or Early Years level. Working in partnership with Liverpool John Moores University, School Direct Wirral offers one year full-time training in the classroom, plus mentoringW support from outstanding teachers and placements and training in schools. Anyone interested in a career in teaching should contact: Mr Wright, Deputy Headteacher, via email [email protected] or telephone 0151 631 4400.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 29
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 29 08/04/2014 09:03 Media Arts
On your Marks! Mariners’ eatherhead has been re-awarded Artsmark Gold, Park Film Project successfully demonstrating excellence in the Arts. s part of our on-going intergenerational work, Miss The Award is a programme run by the Arts Council Elliot and Mrs Carney supported a group of eight Year enabling schools to evaluate, strengthen and celebrate the Arts. W 11 students who spent six weeks visiting Mariners’ In addition to the diverse and creative curriculum we offer, Park Care Home in New Brighton to talk to and film six female our extra-curriculum provision is equally varied and extensive. A residents sharing their experiences during World War Two, Creative subjects at GCSE and A level range across Art, Dance, how the war changed them and liberated them. The footage is Design Technology, Drama, Fine Art, Film Studies, Media Studies, currently being edited into a film which will be screened to the Music, Performing Arts, Textiles and, for the first time next students and residents during the Summer term. academic year, Photography A level. Our engagement in the Arts over the last eight years has also allowed us to develop BBC Schools Report team with Chloe & Danny great partnerships with external providers including FACT, LIPA, Wirral Youth Theatre and the Liverpool Philharmonic. Artsmark recognises that “there is a clear sense of a whole school vision for the Arts as a highly influential mechanism for creative learning, change and improvement. The school has a very clear sense of direction, leadership and where it wants to take the arts in the coming years”. That is certainly the case and we are delighted to receive such a prestigious award.
Lights, Camera, Action! our of our A level Press Gang films, a collection of fifty Year 8 animations, rs Carney, Miss Elliott and Jack Ward a film made in conjunction supported a group of seven Year 9, 11 and 13 F students to create a news report to feed into the BBC Schools’ with Greenleas Primary School, and the 10th ReportM Day on 27th March. The girls decided to focus on Year 9 champion Anniversary edition of boxer, Chloe Watson as their feature story focussing on what it is like Weatherhead TV were entered to be a girl making headlines in a traditionally male sport. The report is into the 10th Wirral Schools’ Film Festival held at the Light available not only on the Weatherhead website but on the BBC Schools’ Cinema in New Brighton. The red carpet event celebrates and Report website www.bbc.co.uk/schoolreport. The project has allowed champions young film-makers’ creativity, hard work and success students to research news, learn more about reporting and get involved in from primary through to secondary, with all films being shown filming, editing, journalism and broadcasting. on the big screen. With so many British films, actresses and actors featuring so highly at this year’s Oscars and 12 Years a Slave taking Best Film and Director, we continue to nourish Christmas Cracker! Weatherhead talent and encourage our students to work in the ow in its fourth year, Weatherhead’s annual Christmas Craft UK’s ever growing creative industries. fair was a great success with a fantastic array of handmade craft stalls from local community partners and students. NThe Parents, Teachers and Friends team organised a raffle and festive refreshments whilst our talented choir and band provided the entertainment adding to the Soul Sisters festive spirit. The Fair attracted ewly formed soul group, Pilgrim Soul, came into school at over fifty local crafts and the end of March to launch the group to our talented businesses who took stalls as well choristers and vocal students in the hope that they may as hundreds of students, staff with Nwish to join. The group is the ‘sister’ group of Pacific Swing, a small their families and members of the jazz-swing ensemble, who regularly perform at the Summer Sizzler community who bagged some and meet at Wirral Youth Theatre. early Christmas presents. Christmas Fair Sale
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166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 30 08/04/2014 09:03 Charity & Community Care
Year 7 Students Box Clever! ith Miss Brough at the helm, Year 7 students rose to the challenge to create over 200 beautifully wrapped Christmas parcels to deliver to the residents of five local care homes. The girls wanted to develop a charity initiative that supported the local community and the school’s inter-generational work. They recognised that many elderly people have no family or visits from theW younger generation and wanted to demonstrate that young people really do care about the elderly residents in their local community, especially at Christmas time. Each package was individually created and included a hand-made, personalised card, Christmas poem and a selection of gifts. The girls were keen to recycle items and invited the school community to donate unused items and were overcome with donations of scarves, gloves, soaps, bubble baths and other gifts, whilst Cookery Club students created festive treats and truffles. Members of the Year 7 Friendship and Social Club spent many a lunchtime creating handmade Christmas decorations, writing festive messages (with the help of Religious Studies staff) and wrapping the gifts. Year 7 Charity Captains, who were the driving force for the initiative, delivered the packages during the week before Christmas. BBC Schools Report team with Chloe & Danny It was heart-warming for staff from Weatherhead, and the care home and the residents’ families, to see the sharing of time and thoughts to restore the true meaning to Christmas in our local community. We are immensely proud of our Year 7 students and the residents of Mariners’ Park, Sandrock Nursing Home, Eaton Court, Leighton Court and Victoria House were overwhelmed by the girls’ demeanour and kindness. The story was also featured on Tony Snell’s Radio Merseyside breakfast!
Visit the school website to listen to the interview ! in full & view a short film about the project
Students welcome Callum Oakley Students are in the Pink! eatherhead staff and students raised an impressive £1,133 in aid of the Breast Cancer Campaign throughW our annual Pink Day organised by Year 13 Health and Social Care students and the Sixth Form Organising Committee. Fundraising activities ranged from cake sales and raffles to a sponsored leg wax by those sixth form boys brave enough to take part! A sell-out talent show boosted funds, featuring local comedian, Callum Oakley, who has appeared on Britain’s Got Talent, and Weatherhead’s unofficial all male dance troupe. The event also featured emotional Pink Day cake sale videos, hard hitting statistics and poignant reminders of the importance of raising money for this charity. Mrs Roden, Head of Health and Social Care said, “this was the best event to date in terms of organisation and Christmas Fair Sale student involvement. Thank you to everyone who took part.”
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 31
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 31 08/04/2014 09:03 Charity & Community Care
Macmillan Coffee Morning Children in Need Pudsey!
taff and students came into school in their own clothes as well as buying cakes in support of Pudsey raisingS almost £850. Last year’s total was the best ever, with the great British public donating a generous £31 million to Children In Need.
Charity begins at Home
ear 9 have had a busy year fundraising by organising weekly cake sales and termly raffles and have made a generous donation of World’s Biggest Coffee £200 to one national and three charities: Alder Hey Children’s YHospital, Claire House, Cancer Research UK and St. John’s Hospice. Morning Year 9 student, Ceri-Sutherland Oakes, has been particularly proactive and with the help of staff coordinated a Christmas sale in aid of Claire he Senior Leadership Team baked up a treat House which is where Ceri’s mum works, and is a cause close to her for Weatherhead staff raising almost £400 in heart. Lydia Eddie, Sian Lawton, Sandra Klepuszewska, Cheyenne Stewart World’s Biggest support of Macmillan Cancer’s and Beth Ward Scott were amongst the students who helped Mrs Lord Coffee Morning T . The array of fantastic cakes including Rocky decorate cupcakes sporting the Claire House logo. Students also made Road, cake pops, muffins, cupcakes, carrot cake and coffee felt stockings, sleighs containing sweets, rice crispie Christmas trees and cake were boosted by contributions from Food Technology marshmallows dipped in chocolate. staff, Miss McLarnon, Mrs O’Hea and Mrs Sandu.
Claire House ow an annual tradition amongst Weatherhead staff, almost £300 was raised for local charity, Claire House. Organised by our Well Being Coordinator, Mrs Jones, instead of sending Christmas cards to one another staff were able to send a communal message of goodwill and donate money to a very worthwhile cause which relies solely Non donations.
Miss Cumiskay’s Year 8 Charity Santa Dash Medal tudents in Year 8 have raised over £375 so far this academic year which will be split betweenS three charities chosen by the girls: Help for Heroes, PDSA (a local animal charity) and Claire House Movember Children’s Hospice. The girls designed ot to be outdone by the girls, Weatherhead and sold Christmas Cards in school Sixth Form boys and male members of staff at the Christmas Craft Fair, organised took up the challenge of growing moustaches raffles and held cake sales. Learning Nin support of Movember, to raise awareness of prostate Mentor, Miss Cumiskay, boosted funds cancer. The group spent 30 days growing and perfecting by taking part in the Santa Dash - a their moustaches of all shapes, sizes and styles for Festive Fun Run in which thousands of this worthy cause which raises millions of pounds participants run 5 kilometres through Liverpool City Centre dressed as Santa! worldwide.
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166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 32 08/04/2014 09:03 Charity & Community Care
Clatterbridge cheque presentation Pudsey!
Superstars winners SuperStars tudents came out in force to support the annual student talent competition SuperStars. Once again, every year group was well represented, especially Years 7 and 8 who had a performance from every form. Performances ranged from solo performancesS on the cornet and trumpet, to group dances and singing. The team effort of the students and their form tutors shone through with some memorable performances and clever costumes. The judging panel changed daily and was made up of Arts Ambassadors, Performing Arts staff, Year Leaders and Learning Mentors. Our Arts Ambassadors sold tickets and carried out Front of House duties at the events including collecting tickets and manning doors. Following a week of lunchtime performances, two acts per year group were voted through to the grand final in the last week of term. Year 8 students Amy Seabury and Olivia Ord took the title and were treated to pizza lunch in the canteen. Ticket money was donated to Clatterbridge Cancer Centre together with money raised from the tuck shop at the Performing Arts Evening in October. Lead Governor for Performing Arts, Alison Clare, was in school in February to witness a cheque presentation for £1,000 to Clatterbridge which was featured in the Wirral News.
Excellent Team Work for Team George! Year 11 Champion Local oordinated by Mrs Hepke and Mrs Marshall Mental Health Charity together with Charity Captains and Form Tutors, nspired by an assembly delivered by local charity, Wirral Mind, Year 11 chose to Year 10 girls generously donated toiletries, support this as their charity for 2013-2014. Form groups have been organising a chocolate, sweets, Christmas goodies and gifts to C variety of events ranging from 50p Fridays, tuck shops and cookie sales. Sara Hatta, create three amazing hampers which were raffled off from Wirral Mind was delighted to be invited to Weatherhead in the Autumn term before Christmas. Hundreds of tickets were sold to I to receive a cheque for £400. The money will help support the work of The Fountain students and staff at 50p each with just under £500 Project Drop-In Centre in Birkenhead, an innovative mental health resource. With an raised for the Year 10 charity, Team George. The ever-growing membership, the Centre sees as many as one hundred visitors a day winning tickets were drawn at the who may pop in for a cup of tea, or a hot meal, or take part in one of the many final of SuperStars with students Laura workshop and activities on offer. Specialist support and care is also offered by qualified Davies and Lauren McCabe, and Mrs professionals. Statistics show that Mental Health affects one in four people in the UK McCrudden from Student Services, and it is significant that our girls consider this an important and worthwhile cause. winning the hampers.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 33
166_WR_Spring14_v7.indd 33 08/04/2014 09:03 Home School Update
Parents, Teachers & Friends @ Weatherhead PTF e welcome all parents and carers to get involved with the PTF who support the school so well. The current group of twelve stalwarts do an amazing job organising events like the Christmas Craft Fair, raising funds to improve the school. They recently funded much needed improvements to ‘the Street’ area with new wooden benchesW and collapsible awnings which provide a welcome retreat come rain or shine. The recent donation to the Sixth Form World Challenge fund was a fantastic boost to the students who have been working tirelessly to generate sponsorship and support. The PTF is more importantly a great voice on home-school matters and have been invaluable in giving suggestions and ideas to help improve the well-being and learning of our students, including inputting to a Student Well-Being/Body Confidence event planned for later this year. Why not come along and meet the team and share your own thoughts and how it can best support your child and family. To get involved with our PTF, contact the Chairman, Ann Blundell - [email protected]. For details of the next meeting visit the school website and click on the School Community>PTF link. We welcome all new faces so please feel free to come along.
E-Safety Update for Parents & Students he internet can be a fantastic place WHERE TO START? for young people to learn, get Let them teach you creative and connect with people, In a survey conducted by Ofcom (Media Use Attitudes and Report 2012), 67% of parents but with continual developments in digital with a child aged between 12 and 15 agreed with the statement ‘my child knows more about T the internet than I do’ technology, keeping on top of what’s happening so make the most of your very own technology expert. can be a daunting prospect. Fortunately, there is Talk to your child about what they’re up to online a wealth of industry expert knowledge, advice Fear of losing access to online privileges can sometimes deter children and young people and resources out there designed specifically from speaking up if something goes wrong online. Discuss the possible downfalls and know for parents and carers. At Weatherhead, we how to make a report. have pulled together a directory of useful Set boundaries online resources for students and parents and Just as you would in the real world, it is important to set boundaries in the online world - each month we’ll feature these new advice, who do they speak to, what information do they share, how long are they spending online? information and resources. Use parental controls Not just for blocking and locking sites, parental controls can be used as a tool to set boundaries about the types of sites visited and the time spent online. Know what connects to the internet and how There are a number of devices in the home that can connect to the internet such as TV, laptops, computers, games consoles and mobile phones and it’s important to know how they connect. Parental controls will be bypassed if they’re using a neighbour’s wi-fi connection.
More information on each of these points is available on the school website by clicking on the e-safety link. You can also use the Contact Us link on the school website to request additional e-safety advice and support.
Every week we create You can read or a Home–School download a print Update that ags up version by following news and events for the link on the school the forthcoming week. website.
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Arts Leaders
NASA Space cadets Arts Leaders Get Creative eatherhead played host to almost 200 pupils from Somerville, Greenleas and Egremont who took part in six creative literacy workshops in the LRC. Coordinated by Miss Elliott, the Arts Leaders created and organised fun, yet challenging, games and activities for the events. The first workshop involved pupils solving a Fairy Tale Who Dunnit? Through a series of word searches, wordW jumbles, similes and antonyms activities, pupils had to work out who had killed the Gingerbread Man. The girls, who were dressed as Snow White, Rapunzel, Sleeping Beauty, the Wicked Witch, Prince Charming and police detectives, stayed in role throughout the afternoon which added to the excitement! The second workshop was themed around Space and targeted at Year 4 pupils who had to travel through space, visiting six work stations themed around the planets of the solar system. Only by playing space pairs, solving a crossword and deciphering alien language could the pupils discover the coordinates to re-programme the space shuttle’s navigation system and guide their shuttle back to earth! The workshops are integral to our Community Arts programme and provide a wonderful experience for pupils from some of feeder primary schools and for our Arts Leaders, many of whom would like to become teachers.
Local artist Ian Murphy pays us a visit Art Attack You’re Hired! ontemporary local artist, eatherhead hosted an Ian Murphy, took time Apprentice themed Saturday out to visit Weatherhead morning Maths Masterclass, Apprentices in training! Cone Saturday morning to run togetherW with The Mosslands School. a workshop for Year 5 and 6 Attended by Year 5 pupils from local primary schools, teams students from Great Meols and sat around the Weatherhead Board Table for a morning meeting to discuss Somerville Primary School. Ian their business plans. The aim of the day was to create the most successful was keen to share his passion, skills and vision - his business and make the most money. The pupils had to assign a leader, decide enthusiasm was infectious and as a result the pupils upon a business idea, decide upon a product, calculate profit and present produced some beautiful textured drawings based their business idea to a panel of judges, including Mr Riley - our very own on local landscapes and architectural drawings. The Alan Sugar! Prizes were awarded for the team that had the most exciting workshops were such a success that they repeated business idea and the team who made the most money. The event was a with two of our partner primaries, Liscard and Park great success producing some exciting business ideas and displaying some real Primary School. entrepreneurial spirit.
Year 12 Arts Leaders’ Explaining the rules! Games Afternoons aving spent months preparing and creating Drama games, our talented Year 12 Arts Leaders visited St. George’s Primary and SomervilleH Primary to test their games on Year 4 pupils. The pupils experienced an hour of activities including fruit bowl, which they loved. The Arts Leaders programme (which is part of Year 12 Enrichment) allows students to be creative, as well as testing and developing their leadership, team work and communication skills.
For all the latest news visit www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk 35
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SUMMER TERM DATES KEY DATES FOR DIARY Monday 28th April INSET Year 9 End of KS3 Tests Tuesday 6th - Friday 9th May Tuesday 29th April School opens for students Year 8 Subject Tests Monday 2nd - Friday 6th Friday 23rd May School closes June Monday 26th - Friday 30th May Half term Year 7 Subject Tests Monday 17th - Friday 20th June Monday 2nd June School opens A Level Results Day Thursday 14th August Thursday 17th July School closes GCSE Results Day Thursday 21st August Monday 1st September INSET Tuesday 2nd September INSET Wednesday 3rd September School opens View the full GCSE & A Level Examination ! timetable on the school website
Don’t forget school is open for Easter revision sessions. Follow us for all the latest news You can view the full GCSE & A Level revision timetable online @WeatherheadHigh WeatherheadHigh at www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk @WeatherheadPE WeatherheadSixth ! @Weatherhead6th
Weatherhead High School Breck Road, Wallasey, Wirral CH44 3HS Tel: 0151 631 4400 Fax: 0151 631 1805 Email: [email protected] Website: www.weatherheadhigh.co.uk
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