Autumn Term TheThe SwanSwan 2015 The Magazine of Christleton High School

· Hello Year 7

· Poland Trip

· Luke Wright’s Poetry Party

· Lest we forget

· Musical Madness!

· Art Alfresco

· Media City

· Careers Information Evening Introducing the 2015-2016 House Captains

Year 7 Year 11

Zoe Finnagen Joe Baldacchino Jessica Trevor Bryn Heard Poppy Lewis Cerys Wojtan Sam Richards Rebecca Duffy Charlotte Hampton Fleur Mercer Saul Duxbury Lola Latifa Mark Goldthorpe Freya Doyle Jayda Jones Sarah Walters

Alexander Cotton Jasmine Prince Amelia Williams Lucy Joyce Sarah Hooper Jess Dunning Lucy Proctor Grace Rose Elle Roberts

Thomas Stubbert Isabella Cornwell Victoria Taylor Graeme Mochrie Olivia Russell Sophie Runciman Molly Bowes Jack Knight Emily Moore

Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Eliza Rose Harry Corley Nung Sirisot Daniel Richards Tess Bowman Laura Roberts Eleanor Moulson Edward Dunford Taryn-Olivia Walker John Gornall Paige Pedlow Hannah Piercy Alicia Griffiths Lizzie Glading Jude Jones Arin Theard Sam James Gemma Hemens Ewan Bradley Maddie Clerkin Daisy Woolgar-Bebb Jennifer Thompson Curie-Beth Woodard Lord James Ellison Ophelia Catherall-Davis Nathan Adams Josh Didsbury Megan Jones Grace Lindsay-Austin Archie Taylor Xsara Challinor James Richards Ella Wood Brad Coppard Erin Williams Sophie Lee Ben Lyon Fin Doyle Daniel Skinner Will Goodwin Jess Twigg Hannah Thorley Arran Brearey Maisie Lawson Isabella Ford Charlie Heard Maggie Corr Oliver Hynds Maddie MacDonald Caitlin Senior

2 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School TheThe SwanSwan The Magazine of Christleton High School

Introducing House Captains 2 Talk About a Revolution 22 Students Explore Wales 43

Headteacher’s Report 4 Who Is It? 23 Textiles Club 43

Media City 6 Sixth Form Leadership Teams 23 Work Placement Success! 44

Sixth Form Careers Conference 7 Art Hot Scholars Video Tutorials 23 News from Sylvia Wood 48

A Successful Operation! 8 Dove Self-Esteem Workshop 24 Studying Geography 49

Rethink Your Drink 9 We Went to The Zoo 25 Careers Information Evening 50

Teenage Cancer Trust 9 Wednesdays are Movie Days 25 Urban Land Institute 51

Who Is It? 10 Poland Visit 26 World Food Day Bake-Off! 53

Electronic Products 10 Unifrog 28 Cook Cup 2015 55

On Yer Bike! 11 Is Photography Art? 28 Sixth Form Transition 56

ChloBo 12 Trash Trek Challenge 29 Luke Wright’s Poetry Party! 58

Sixth Form Fun Day 12 Onward Christleton Soldiers 29 Creative Conway 60

MFL Debating Competition 13 Nesscliffe 2015 30 Fun in the Sun… 62

Flying High 13 Honouring Our Fallen Heroes 30 Art Alfresco 64

Teacher’s Pet 13 Lest We Forget 31 Start Your Engines 65

Politics & Law Visit 14 Barn Owl 32 School Rugby Review 66

Schoolcomms 15 Physics News 33 Cross Country County Success 67

GCHQ Visit Christleton 15 Who Is It? 33 Cheshire Phoenix Coaching 67

DoE Diary Dates 15 Musical Madness! 34 Congratulations Year 9 Girls! 67

Hello Year 7 16 GCSE Art Review 37 ESAA Schools Cross Country 68

Lloyds Bank Work Experience 17 Remembering The Fallen 38 Girls Badminton 69

Year 7 Summer School 2015 18 Class of 2015 39 Table Tennis Coaching 69

Sixth Form Careers Conference 19 Picturesque Chester 39 Football 70

Hot Scholars French School Visit 19 CCF Updates 40 Basketball 72

FABLAB 20 Adventure Training 40 Condover Hall 74

Oliver’s Marvellous Machine 20 Cheshire School Book Awards 41 Teachers Pet & Who Were They? 75

Places of Worship 21 Studio School Update 42 Chester Gang Show 76

Keep in touch with Christleton High School via Twitter @ChristletonHS

Autumn Term 2015 3 Headteacher’s

The EBacc subjects are English on various trips and events and I would Language, Maths, Science,eport Geography like to thank you for your support at or HistoryR and a Modern Foreign these meetings. One such event was Language. All our students currently our very successful Open Evening, held study English, Maths and Science on 30th September, for parents and but with Geography or History and a their children, who are wishing to apply Modern Foreign Language becoming for a place in Year 7 at the school next compulsory, this will have an impact year. on the offer of options at KS4. The curriculum will therefore need to his autumn term has been a very change and we have already begun to The Chester Chronicle named busy one in all areas of school implement this move. Christleton High School as “the most life. Students and staff returned popular state school in Cheshire”. The T total number of applications received fresh from the summer vacation, eager to begin the new term. We will also see a change in the for September 2016 was 679, of which curriculum for students in 270 were first preference. This figure is Year 10 with the grading higher than in previous years. This summer’s at GCSE English exam results and Mathematics were impressive being awarded in The school was fortunate to receive and we were numbers rather around £2.5m to upgrade its exterior, delighted that than in letters. which has continued through this term. so many of This will be The first phase to replace windows our students phased in with and cladding around the back of the progressed to other subjects school was completed last term. Work university, whilst as the syllabuses has continued on the next phases, in others moved into change. Significant upgrading windows and walls around our Sixth Form. You changes will also the front of the school with a striking may be aware of our affect AS and A2 studies copper finish. concern regarding the marking for our Year 12 students. of our GCSE English papers. These were returned to the examination board In addition to this, insulation on and as a result, 57 papers Last year, the Governors the roof has been upgraded. The had marks upgraded. carried out a parental improvements will make the school questionnaire and fed much more thermally efficient and a back the outcomes nicer environment in which to work for We welcomed in the Spring students and staff. Despite some major our new Year 7 2014 edition of disruption, the school has continued to students into the The Swan. The operate very efficiently and I commend school. They Governors wish to our students and staff on their flexibility seem to have thank all parents in working around the team of builders. settled well who responded The work should be complete by the and have taken and wanted to time you receive this newsletter. the transition in let you know they their stride. The expect to carry out Government has another questionnaire I do hope that parents and guardians published a statement of in 18 months’ time. are using our SIMS Learning Gateway intent that all students in this (SLG) and are able to track their Year group will be expected to follow children’s homework and effort made. EBacc subjects at GCSE. The school has recently held a number I endeavour to incorporate technology of parents’ meetings giving information to help our communication with you.

4 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Currently, will take well during this leave of absence. To we are place in cover the absence, we are fortunate piloting a June 2016, to have appointed Dr. Chadwick, an school app the title of experienced teacher of Biology. We which should which will also look forward to welcoming Mrs. be launched be announced Harding when she returns in January next term. shortly. from maternity leave. Our thanks go to Mr. Barton for his work with former Year 11 and current Year 8, during this time. A good number of trips and visits have taken place this term, many The Chester Chronicle of which you can read about in this named Christleton High Term finishes for students at 12:40 on edition. I am particularly pleased to Thursday 17th December, following the see membership of our Combined School as “the most Celebration Assembly. Cadet Force (Royal Air Force Section) popular state school increase to 44 enrolled Cadets. My thanks go to Mr Hudson, Mrs Stott in Cheshire”. I wish you and your families a very (Flying Officers) and Mr Hollywood happy Christmas and New Year. (Flight Lieutenant) Our staffing position has been relatively stable this term. We congratulated Dr. The Musical ‘Our House’ was Dowsett, Mrs. Lawson, Mrs. Stewart and performed by more than 60 Upper Mr. Llewellyn on becoming parents for School students as cast and crew. the second time over the summer and Following on from the very successful into the start of term. I am delighted A D Stenhouse ‘Lion King’ production involving 110 to report that Ms. Heaver has recently students, the Lower School production adopted two little girls and we wish her Acting Headteacher

Autumn Term 2015 5 MediaCity Year 12 Media

Studies Trip

to the BBC

Media City in

Manchester

In early October 2015, Year 12 Media students travelled to Manchester to visit the BBC studios and undertake a tour.

Students observed many of the actual studios where popular programmes such as Blue Peter, A Question of Sport and BBC Breakfast are made as well as having an insight into BBC radio production.

They were also able to make a news and weather bulletin in their interactive studio.

Although, slightly disappointed at not meeting anyone famous apart from Mr Gannon, Year 12 Media students really enjoyed their day and it gave them a better understanding of the work of the BBC and the potential work opportunities at the location. 6 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School “Thinking Hard About The Future...?” MediaCity Sixth Form Careers Conference 11th -12th June 2015 Our new Year 13 began the process of making decisions about careers

when they attended a two day careers conference. We welcomed employers from 16 job sectors, covering 38 jobs: Banking, Social Work, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Radiography, Dietetics, Nursery Teaching, Primary teaching, Secondary teaching, the Police, the Army, the RAF, Architecture, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Journalism, Broadcasting, Human Resources, Retail, Manufacturing, Fine Art, Fashion, Performing Arts, Pharmacy, Psychiatry, Veterinary, Local Government, Law, IT Consultancy, Music Producer, Sports Scientist, Sports Coach, Scientist, Accountancy, Nursing, careers in Psychology. In addition, Higher Education Lecturers from Glyndwr, John Moores, Manchester and Bangor Universities joined us to help guide students through their choices of course. Our Pathways advisor, Sylvia Wood and Duart Careers Consultants ran sessions on choices at 18 and the importance of demonstrating employability skills. Thanks to all staff and ex-students who shared their career stories, and to all our contributors:

CONFERENCE SPEAKERS Joanne Timpson Senior Academic Advisor, Nursing, Gareth Williams Governor, Christleton High School University of Manchester John Valleley Kellogg Group Helen Carey Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy, Chris Haigh Chemical Engineer, Ineos Glyndwr University Dave Powell Freelance Journalist Chris Wolfendale Lead for Dietetics and Nutrition, Fliss Bridgewater Governor, Chester University Christleton High School, Bridgewater Consulting Alison Stuart Chartered Physiotherapist, Luke Packer IT Consultant Grosvenor Street Physiotherapy Max Brodie Music Entrepreneur Michaela Adams Social Worker Dr Colin Hill Lead Lecturer for Sports Science, Dr Emyr Williams Programme Lead for Psychology, Glyndwr University Glyndwr University Katie Anderton Assistant Section Head, Waitrose, Chester Dr Janet Walsh Psychiatrist Simon Phillips Musical Director, Christleton Katie McConnell Vet Lucy Mothersdale Fashion Design Student Fraser McConnell Vet Daniel Berry Lecturer in Design and Communication, Gemma Lawless Baker Tilly, Accountants Glyndwr University Sean Williams Bank of America Merrill Lynch Paul Jones Lecturer in Fine Arts, Glyndwr University Steve Richards Chief Superintendent, Merseyside Police Daniel Franklin Assistant Manager, Paul Heath Governor, Christleton High School Stepping Stones Montessori Nursery, Chester James Hudson Staff, Christleton High School Alan Brown Headteacher, Oldfield Primary School Mark Doyle Army Recruitment, Chester Kristy Thew Associate Teacher, Christleton High School (School Direct PGCE) Nick Clarke Solicitor, Aaron and Partners, Chester Tony Barton Architect, Donald Insall Associates, Chester Chris Eaton Associate Teacher, Christleton High School (School Direct PGCE) Dr Cliff Mayhew Senior Lecturer in Electrical Engineering, JMU We look forward to welcoming our guests back to the next Sixth Form Careers Conference in June 2016. Autumn Term 2015 7 Sixth Form Students Take the Lead: Operation Christmas Child 2015 aa SuccessfulSuccessful OperationOperation !!

After doing Operation Christmas Child We are hoping to collect as many every year in primary school, last year boxes as we can this year and will try was one of the first years in which the to create a school record! Knowing that Sixth Form wanted to get Christleton we have helped many children’s lives all High School involved and it seemed over the world become a little bit better only right that this year, myself, is very satisfying. As we go to press, the Harry Hatwell, Tiegan Kenton and mountain of colourful boxes begins to Briony Lewis decide to bring Operation grow and we thank all the members of the Christmas Child to Christleton High school community for their hard work in School again! simple boxes makes us feel extremely putting together their contributions. grateful for all the presents we receive on Since 1933, Operation Christmas Child Christmas Day. As well as the children Matilda Watts has delivered gift filled boxes to over 124 receiving a present, the power of million children in more than 150 countries one box brings happiness and and territories. They distribute the boxes light into the children’s to deprived and unfortunate children life, which they may not in hospitals, orphanages and to those have otherwise; due living in family poverty in places such as to being affected Uruguay, Haiti, and Iraq. What is special by war, poverty, this year is that the boxes are also being disaster, famine sent to refugee children who are in great or disease. All danger and distress. Most of the children of these terrible who receive these boxes have no idea things will that Christmas even exists and rarely sadly affect the see a present or toy in their life. The refugees this excitement they get just from these year too.

8 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School In Food lessons students have been looking at the amounts of sugar in different types of drinks. This display has amazed all who have seen it and pursuaded some students to buy lower sugar drinks. In GCSE Food we have been looking into the nutritional value of foods and the labelling of different products. Always try to be aware of what RethinkYour Drink you are drinking!

we organise this year will go towards making these teenagers’ treatment and recovery more bearable and will hopefully equip them with the facilities to enjoy being teenagers; an experience which, thankfully, most students at Christleton High take for granted. Throughout the year, we will be offering opportunities to get involved in fundraising. One of our aims in choosing the Teenage Cancer Trust as this year’s Sixth Form Charity is to educate students about the reality of being a teenager with cancer, tallying also with the charity’s work towards spotting the signs of cancer in its early stages. We really hope that the whole school community will continue to The Teenage Cancer Trust is an important national charity which support this great cause and that, together, we can do everything provides care and holistic support for young people suffering we can to positively touch the lives of as many teenage cancer from cancer. sufferers as possible. At the start of the year, the Sixth Form Leadership Teams invited a representative to speak in assemblies about the charity’s work. The response from the year groups was excellent and it really brought home to us the seriousness of the issue of cancer care for teenagers. The talks were educational and designed to inform students about the work of the Teenage Cancer Trust, which involves setting up specialist centres in hospitals for teenagers, where they can really be themselves and escape their illness and treatment. A little known fact is that there are no teenage wards in hospitals – meaning that teenagers are faced with being treated in adult wards or being around noisy infants. The donations from events

Autumn Term 2015 9 Who is it?

In a new feature, using Electronic ‘either or’ answers to Products some simple questions Year 11 GCSE and through a life-like 44% A* - A Grades caricature, can you guess which prominent staff member is being described?

RED OR BLUE MESSI OR RONALDO COFFEE OR TEA BOOK OR MAGAZINE DRIVER OR PASSENGER CHINESE FOOD OR INDIAN FOOD MAC OR IPAD ROCK OR POP CAT OR DOG PHONE OR TEXT CAR OR MOTORCYCLE DOCTOR OR DENTIST SMART OR CASUAL EVERTON OR LIVERPOOL PIZZA O R P A STA BATMAN OR SUPERMAN COMEDY OR THRILLER EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL TWIX OR MARS TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM SUMMER OR WINTER BROWN SAUCE OR KETCHUP CRICKET OR RUGBY MOVIE OR BOX SET THE THREE DEGREES OR THE SUPREMES BAKE OFF OR MASTERCHEF

10 10 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School OnOn yeryer Bike!Bike!

Bikeability visits Christleton High School

clear of the kerb, signalling at all times to alert drivers to what you plan to do, make eye contact where possible • Never ride in the middle of the road - even if it is clear • Avoid riding alongside large vehicles, like lorries or buses, where you might not be seen • Don’t cycle on the pavement unless it is a designated cycle path • When the road is wet, ride with Friday, 13th November 2015 was CHRISTLETON HIGH SCHOOL special caution, and do not apply definitely not unlucky for twelve of CYCLING GUIDELINES brakes suddenly our Year 7 and Year 8 students who • When cycling on busy roads, be We actively encourage cycling to aware of other road users, both cars completed their ‘Bikeability’ Level 3 school, but it is important that all cyclists and pedestrians Cycle Training Course. follow these guidelines for everyone’s • Watch out for car doors opening safety: suddenly when passing parked cars • Follow the Highway Code including Despite the weather, students were • Your bike must be in good condition observing ‘stop’ and ‘give way’ able to demonstrate their already and roadworthy, have working signs and traffic lights. You can brakes, working lights, which are excellent bike knowledge and find the full Highway Code for always used after dark or when cyclists at www.gov.uk/guidance/ learn valuable new skills. visibility is poor, front and rear the-highway-code/rules-for-cyclists- reflectors and a working bell 59-to-82 • Always wear a cycling helmet. All students passed with flying • Ride in a position where you can So that we do not have any accidents colours, congratulations. see and be seen. Wear light in school you must dismount / mount coloured or reflective clothing at the school gates and walk your bike during the day and reflective into / out of school. At Christleton, we are very proud clothing/a high visibility vest or of the number of students who stripe and/or accessories in the We cannot be responsible for your dark, which increases visibility. both, promote a healthy lifestyle, safety when cycling to school or the • Always ride in single file safekeeping of your cycle. Lock your and help to reduce congestion on • Be courteous to other road users bike in the appropriate cycle shed! the road. To help ensure the safety • Never carry anyone on your bike • When meeting traffic, keep to the of all our students the following Cyclists who do not adhere to these left guidelines may be prevented from rules need to be adhered to: • Ride positively, decisively, and well bringing their bikes onto the premises.

Autumn Term 2015 11 On Wednesday, 15th July 2015, during back home, but her mother and father third lesson, Chloe Moss came to our pushed her to keep on travelling. school to talk to some girls in Years 8, 9 Fortunately, she decided to listen to her and 10 about her career. parents and carry on. We met her in the Lecture Theatre, Her next location was Bali in Australia, where she talked to us about how and as she told us – Bali was the she created her own jewellery brand, inspiration for her jewellery range. It ‘ChloBo’. She told us that her career was great listening to such an inspiring started when she was travelling story. We were all very impressed that around the world with her boyfriend. she designed a range for Claire House She was happy then, but sadly, letting them keep 100% of the profit. after some time they decided to separate. Rachel Warburton & Upset and hurt, she wanted to finish her journey and go Courtney Hollinger

The last day was a vibrant and throughout the active day. Sweets and The Sixth energetic experience for everyone. It refreshments gave everyone the hype was full of fun and exciting activities they needed when footballing and ranging from rocking out to a local surfboarding with friends, as well as Form provide band and sumo-wrestling friends in trying to beat the Sixth Forms very own super fat suits. It played a huge part tennis pro, Saleem Rizvi. in raising a large amount of money for The photo booth captured the day’s our chosen charity, Teenage Cancer a fantastic atmosphere, whilst the face painting Trust. All money made from the event and hair-braid stands gave everyone accumulated to around £1,600! This an opportunity to get creative and have final day of fun made the day even more special. an entertaining makeover. Photos are Fruits were being squeezed and now available on the school system so for the whole blended with a topping of an umbrella be sure to print out your flashy pictures and a mouth-watering slice of orange when you can! on the mocktail stand, meaning that All of the activities and laughs made the everyone stayed fresh and hydrated school day exciting for all involved. We would like to give a big thanks to everyone who took part in making the day possible and helping to raise money for a very important cause. We are looking forward to another great day next year.

Photographs courtesy of Hannah Whitlock, who organised the photobooth.

12 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School How would you argue for and against, whilst also allowing us to cheer on ‘Being extraordinary is easy’? Debating former Christleton student, Megan Flying high… in English about this topic is hard Russon. Time for the debate that Wednesday, 16th October 2015, enough, let alone having to do it in Madame Dionisi had been dreading 0600Z. Six brave Cadets undertook against Altrincham Grammar School French. This philosophical topic, the journey from Christleton High for Boys. Again, luck was on our side along with more current topics such School to No.10 AEF Squadron at as, ‘Are migrants still welcome?’, ‘Is and we got the side of the debate on RAF Woodvale in Merseyside. nuclear power the answer?’, and ‘Have tablets that we wanted. This was a tablets made our lives better?’ were debate in all senses of the word. The Pre-flight briefing by Flt Lt Burrows the prescribed subjects that we had to quality of this team was remarkable, at 0900Z; weather at RAF Woodvale: wind 280 degrees at 12 knots, few use to overcome our opponents. They but we also improved our debating clouds at 3000 feet, broken clouds didn’t stand a chance… skills and, once again, gave a very comprehensive display. Sadly, we lost at 4600 feet, looks good. Two full After a few months of practice debates this one as well even though the other aerobatic licenced Grob Tutor 115’s against Madame Dionisi and Sophie, team evaded all of our questions! They are at our disposal today, G-CGKS and G-CGKL. Time for the emergency our French assistant, around similar were obviously a very strong team, drills assessment; in order for a topics, we left for Cheadle Hulme qualifying for the semi-finals, deserved Cadet to fly, he/she must prove that School. We knew we were up against their place, and we were gracious and in the event of an emergency they tough opposition, with only three humble in defeat. (including us) out of the seventeen can jettison the canopy, escape the teams being from state schools. The Reflecting in the car journey home, we safety harness, exit the aircraft, and pull the parachute. Following atmosphere was a mix of nervous agreed that we constructed two high- the safety briefing it was time for energy and ‘adjectival agreements’, and quality debates and we were certainly all Cadets to suit up, each pilot was after a brief introduction, we managed proud of how we conducted ourselves, and the great teamwork we displayed. issued a flight suit, parachute, life to watch a few debates before our own, support jacket (LSJ) and a flying which reassured us that our preparation We both thoroughly enjoyed the helmet. would pay off. evening, and it was a challenging and stimulating experience. When kitted up Cadets were walked two by two to their aircraft, whilst We would like to say a big thank you the remaining four listened in on to Madame Dionisi and Señor Vilches the radio scanner. Once inside the for organising the debate and taking aircraft Cadets were briefed on the us, and to Sophie for all the help with flight plan, the start-up procedure preparing us for the debate. began, and the flight instructor began his pre-flight checks. “Cleared MFL for take-off runway 21”; the clearance Debating Competition arrives from ATC and the throttle is Harry Hatwell & Saleem Rizvi advanced, the four cylinder engine roars into life as the aircraft begins to move forward. “70 knots, rotate”, pulling back on the aircraft control column the wheels leave the runway 2015 and for many Cadets this is their first Our first match was against Bolton experience of flight in a light aircraft. School for Boys, on the migrant topic, Whilst in the air, the Cadets have which put a big smile on Harry’s face complete choice over what they – always wanting to take a political do, some choose to practice their stance! Nerves did not get the better of knowledge learnt in principles of us, and we managed to wrestle them flight to control the aircrafts, whilst off with a series of exposing questions. others prefer loop the loops and Our teamwork was impeccable aileron rolls. Other Cadets choose to and praised by the adjudicator. take cameras up and photograph the Unfortunately, we lost that debate scenery surrounding RAF Woodvale. – taking 3 points for an ‘impressive Teacher’s Pet After a brief sortie in the air, the performance in defeat’ – but we were Cadets are returned to terra firma thrilled with our performance and felt They say people grow where a full debrief of the lesson is we spoke and debated impressively. to look like their dogs! given and any associated logbooks are signed. Air Experience Flights Watching our Cestrian opponents, The Who does this ‘Children in are always memorable occasions as King’s School, glide to victory gave us Need’ mascot belong to? flying at 2500 feet is not an everyday some useful ideas for our next debate, Look through The Swan to find his owner. experience. Autumn Term 2015 13 The students sum it up well: POLITICS & LAW “The trip to London was fantastic! We went to the Supreme Court first where we were given a guided tour around the building. The Supreme Court is the last place you can come to in the United Kingdom to appeal a case before moving to the European Court of Human Rights, so it was really On 5th October 2015, Christleton’s court all sit at the same level in rooms interesting to see such an important Sixth Form Politics and Law students which are well-lit and comfortable. part of the UK legal system. In the enjoyed their annual trip to Parliament afternoon we were shown around the and the Supreme Court. A visit to Downing Street was followed Houses of Parliament, which was a Visitby a quick lunch. In the afternoon great experience as we were able to Our first stop was the Supreme Court. our tour of the Houses of Parliament see the interior of the building and, Court staff welcomed us and we began. We were fortunate enough of course, the Houses of Lords and then visited the permanent to view the House of Commons, the Commons. The size of the Lords and exhibition in the Court’s House of Lords, St Stephen’s Hall and the Commons came very much as a basement, which highlighted Westminster Hall. Our knowledgeable surprise to us due to them both being some landmark cases judges guide was able to answer the many very small; we were expecting the had already heard. We questions we put to him. Houses to be much larger. After this, were also able to explore we had a very informative question Many thanks must be given some of the court rooms. and answer session with the Chester to Christopher Matheson, our Many students were MP, Chris Matheson, who gave us sponsor for the tour. He met us surprised by the really good responses to the issues we in Parliament where he had relative informality raised. We gained a lot of knowledge organised a conference of the highest from the trip that we can now apply to room; sharp minded court in the our studies.” land; judges, students quizzed him on barristers and his political career. Adam Stanworth 12.6 visitors to the

“The Supreme Court, Downing Street and the Houses of Parliament are all things that we recognise well but have never been inside. On 5th October, I visited these iconic places with the rest of the AS Level Government and Politics class. The Houses of Parliament was incredible and it was so odd being somewhere that I had seen on television so many times. One of the best things we did that day was meet Chester’s MP, Chris Matheson. Just being able to have the opportunity to meet the person who links us to Westminster was amazing. Overall, the whole experience was just incredible, and something not many people have the opportunity to do.’ Angharad Rees-Hughes 12.6

14 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School GCHQ visit To ensure you receive emails from our Schoolcomms Christleton communication system it is advisable to add the address On Friday, 16th October 2015, Christleton Modern Languages [email protected] to your allowed list: Department hosted a talk and a series of workshops about careers using languages within the UK’s intelligence Outlook 2007, Outlook 2003 or Hotmail/Outlook.com agencies. Outlook Express • Log into Hotmail Students from Years 9, 11, 12 and 13 You have three options to choose from: were joined by students from Neston • Click “Options” (the cog symbol High School, Tarporley High School • Go to “Actions” on your email menu on the top right hand side of the and Bishop Heber High School for the bar. Select “Junk E-mail” from your screen), select “More email settings” event. pulldown menu. Select “Add Sender During the sessions, students were • Under the heading “Preventing to Safe Senders List” given a presentation by a Language junk email”, click “Safe and blocked Analyst from GCHQ and had the • Right-click in the message and senders” then “Safe senders” opportunity to ask questions about select “Add the Sender to Safe her work (some of which she couldn’t’ • Type in the email address and click Senders List” answer!). They then took part in a range “Add to list” of language taster sessions including • Go to “Tools” on the menu bar. Italian, Russian, Euskera, Mandarin and ------Select “Options” in the pull-down Esperanto. menu. Under “Preferences”, Yahoo! Mail Hopefully we have some budding select“ Junk E-mail”. Then click • Use the “Not Spam” button to report Language Analysts out there! on the “Safe Sender” tab. Click messages you want in your Inbox For more information on careers at the “Add” button. Type the email that were delivered to your Bulk GCHQ visit www.gchq-careers.co.uk address of the sender in the folder text box ------DoE Diary Dates Gmail or Googlemail Gold – Year 12 AOL 9 Friday, 22nd to Sunday, 24th April 2016 • Open the email Gold Practice Expedition You can do either of the following: Tuesday, 5th to Saturday, 9th July 2016 • Click “More Options” in the email • Add the email address to your Gold Test Expedition header address book Silver – Year 10 • Click “Add Sender to Contact List” Monday, 25th January 2016 - Silver eDofE • Reply to the email. If you reply to enrolment ICT1 (15:30 - 16:30) the email, AOL will automatically ------Saturday, 30th January 2016 – Silver expedition training day (09:00 - 16:00) put the address in your address Apple Mail book Bronze – Year 9 • Add the email address to your Monday, 1st February 2016 - Bronze eDofE ------address book enrolment ICT rooms (15:30 - 17:00) AOL 8 Saturday, 12th March 2016 - Bronze • In Training mode, emails will arrive Expedition Training (09:00 - 16:00) • Open the email in the inbox highlighted in brown. In Sunday, 20th March 2016 - Bronze Automatic mode, junk emails will • Click the “Add Address” icon on the Expedition Training (09:00 - 16:00) arrive in the Junk box. To add an right DofE Drop-in: email that arrived in the Junk folder, Mrs Stott: ICT3 (12:30-13:00) every Monday. • The email address is pre-populated highlight the email message, click The door is open for any DofE student in the “Contact Details” pop-up. “Mark” and select “As Not Junk Mail” to ask any questions and general DofE support. Verify that the pre-populated information is correct Don’t forget to check the DofE noticeboard for dates and information (in between the • Click “Save” hall and PE changing rooms.) Autumn Term 2015 15 HELLOHELLO YEARYEAR 77

Welcome to Christleton High School Year 7

On 2nd September The New Intake Day was very very friendly and helpful. Another 2015, 213 excited Year interesting and fun. It is a chance subject that we did was Science. to make new friends and learn Our objective was to build a 7 students gathered on something new. When I went in capsule that held an egg. We the Junior Yard ready on the Intake Day I didn’t know could design the capsule any way to start their first day at anybody and came out with loads we wanted but it would be dropped of new friends. It was a bit nerve from the top of some stairs. All our Christleton High School. wracking at first but everybody was capsules worked. One of the best It has been a privilege extremely nice. It was a chance subjects was Maths because we watching them settle and to feel like a proper high school learnt some new methods, which I can’t wait to see them student. made some questions easier. At the end of the day we felt like we continue their journey to One of the activities we did was Art. learnt more in one day than a week adulthood with us. The lesson was interesting because at primary school. we learnt what colours shade into Patrick Ashley & George Welsh other colours. The teacher was 7BA2 Miss Edwards

16 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School My first term in Christleton High My first day at Christleton was a bit School has been my favourite term scary. I didn’t know many people Lloyds Bank of my life. I have loved it. or where my classes were, but now work experience Lewis Irvine 7L2 I have been here for a term I am used to it. I only needed about 3 - the most useful week When I first arrived I was shaking days to learn where everything is of my summer holiday and had not made any friends. I in school; even though it is big, it I first came across Lloyds Bank at the Sixth Form Careers’ Conference sat next to a girl from Boughton is easy to learn the school layout. in June 2015, when they ran an Heath Primary School. We got our Everyone is very kind and will tell excellent workshop on working in the finance and banking sector. They timetables and we both realised me where my class is if I’m not talked about the importance of work we were in pretty much the same sure where to go. Christleton High experience and invited us to take up this opportunity with them. lessons for everything. After that School is amazing and will always The five days’ work experience we became best friends. I also stay that way! I was involved in at Lloyds Bank, made best friends with two other Felix McLaughlin 7BY2 arranged by Mrs Hughes, gave me an invaluable insight into the girls. It was quite hard to find my knowledge, skills and experience way around at first but after two Finally, we would like to take the needed in the banking world, as well days I knew where every classroom opportunity to thank the 101 parents as providing me with my first real life experience of the ‘world of work’. I was, even if it wasn’t mine. who completed the online transition found the banking experience to be survey. Results were positive with extremely interesting; learning about the administrative aspects, invaluable team work and management roles and opportunities that were all integral to the banking environment. My work experience was well structured and the staff were very happy to spend their time talking about their jobs as well as giving me an insight into the ‘ins and outs’ of their roles. I spent time shadowing members of the staff at all levels, from telephony, where I listened in to some interesting calls to say the least, to floor managers whose workload I struggled to keep track of. A range of activities was also set up for me in order to prepare me for the change between full time education and life in the workplace. This included a presentation and a practice interview, which were adapted to suit me (a lot more relaxed). Although I 96% of parents agreeing that they The teachers are all really lovely was apprehensive about taking part were happy with the transition in these activities, I’m very pleased and helpful. If I ever have a that I did, as they provided me with problem, I know that a teacher will to Christleton High School. the opportunity to get used to the be there to help. Christleton High Comments included: experience, and also to understand the kind of questions that employers School has given me an opportunity ask and what they are typically looking to find some good friends who are •​ Transition has been particularly for in an answer. I walked away from more like me. It also has a wide successful - you would think the activity feeling that I was much my child has been at CHS better prepared for an interview range of subjects. My favourite situation in the future, irrespective of subjects at the moment are French, forever already! the career path I decide to take.

Art, and DT. I go to dance club at If you have the opportunity to take lunchtime, which is great fun. We •​ My son has settled well and part in work experience anywhere, do a dance show in February, which enjoys attending school. I but especially at Lloyds Bank, I would highly recommend it. The whole I think will build my confidence have been really impressed by experience provided me with a great quite a bit. There is a wide range his newly found independence. insight into the banking world whilst at of clubs in school time and after the same time being very enjoyable. I walked away with real clarity as to the school that you can do. •​ Settled in really well. Made type of job that would suit me in the Ellie Morrey 7L2 new friends and is really happy future. each day. Thomas Mullin

Autumn Term 2015 17 they were asked to build a water proof shelter from the resources provided (rope, plastic sheeting, fencing posts, tape, tent pegs). Each shelter was tested against water; the students loved the whole experience.

Thursday was a day of sporting physical activities. All students were involved in the scatter ball and ski walking challenges as students well as a Dodgeball competition. were letting The competitive atmosphere was off steam within electric; everyone was up for the the PE department, challenge and all wanted to be taking part in a variety of crowned winners. activities and sports. Friday, the final day of the Summer On afternoon, we Monday School, parents and other family challenged our students to members were invited along to create a chair made from balloons. witness all of the academic work Resources were provided and produced in the morning workshop the groups were split equally. A sessions. The students showcased prize for the most stable, eye- their work including their Maths and D catching chair was up for grabs. uring English worksheets, portraits and The students were focusing and the 2015 hand-made musical instruments. In working on their new friendship summer the afternoon students performed groups right from the offset. This holidays, their ‘cadet marching parade’ for continued to improve as time Christleton hosted family and friends. a Summer School for progressed. the fourth year running. The overall experience was afternoon focused upon Its main focus was to offer Tuesday fantastic and the feedback our Cadet theme for the week; students a comprehensive, from students and parents was challenging students to work as a meaningful yet fun intervention extremely positive. Parents claimed group and prepare a Cadet march programme which would highlight their child to be more confident in preparation for a performance and work on key skills including with the school and its surroundings on the final day of camp. To make teamwork, communication and in preparation for the September the experience more realistic we negotiation as well as developing start. Some had developed strong had our very own Cadet Officer; literacy and numeracy. friendship groups, which made Mrs Liz Stott taking lead. Students the transition from primary to used face paints to make their Commencing on 24th August secondary less daunting. 2015, over 20 of our up-coming statement and worked fantastically well linking all movements together Year 7 students were welcomed; Miss A Cross, PE Department an overview of the week was then to the music. discussed. Morning activities were focused around Maths and English Wednesday afternoon, the workshops; by the afternoon students took part in Desert Island Challenge where Year 7 Summer School 2015 18 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School The new Year 13 undertook an The afternoon of the first day saw exciting two-day Sixth Form Careers a similar conference format, with Conference, an event aimed at Teachers, and past and present informing and educating the Year group university students telling us about on possible future professions and their very own pathways. For example, pathways. we heard from our school’s own Art Teacher, Mr Hornby who discussed The first day began with a host of how his career did not just ‘fall into conference speakers discussing their place’, with his advice being work hard field of work which enabled us to see and quite simply, do what you love. Mr a ‘day in the life’ of each person. For Hall, an ICT Teacher, discussed how example, those interested in the field he went into a plethora of careers of science witnessed Chris Haigh who before settling into teaching. Arguably, discussed at length how a Chemical it was rather comforting to know that Engineer would think and respond to not everyone had a career set in stone certain scenarios, which was followed at seventeen, and the talks gave by an in-depth question and answer. inspiration and advice. Hot Scholars French - Primary School Visit Over the last term, we worked on a project for a visit to Boughton Heath Primary School. Our aim was to deliver a lesson on basic TH FORM French vocabulary for a Year 6 class. We worked hard on it, once a week at lunchtime, until Careers we were happy with it. 6 Overall, we think that it went Conference really well. We used the iPads and the interactive board to make it as exciting as we could for the Robert Machen, a fairly new Chemist Following career advice and students. One activity, which based at Unilever, explained how explanations, the second day saw a they especially enjoyed, was the he reached the position he’s in now, heavy focus on personal statements. passing on advice on different routes to The morning included a presentation ‘Decide Now’ app on the iPads. a career in the science industry. from Bangor University, and Sylvia Students were able to create Wood, the school Careers Advisor, on random numbers to translate into Students with a different vision the importance of personal statements. however, sought advice from Dave French. We thought this was a The talk was very helpful because it Powell, a freelance Sport Journalist great way for them to recap on gave examples of successful personal who discussed the competitive media statements and allowed us to see their previous knowledge and industry and how a persistent attitude exactly what Admission Tutors are they were very enthusiastic. was needed to succeed in such a looking for in the ideal candidate; difficult career path. Moreover, we often a difficult job, considering there Next, we covered dates of learnt about the long and tiring day a are thousands of applicants for a few birth so students could say sport journalist faces, which was quite places. Sylvia Wood discussed the far off from the glitz and glamour one their birthdays. We asked each importance of differentiating between often associates with journalism. student individually by passing skill and personal qualities to ensure a ball around the class to make We then heard from a leading that our CVs or personal statements will them practice what they had consultant who worked in Human be strong enough to secure that elusive Resources, a line of work which is job or university place. learnt and build their confidence heavily interlinked with the media. The when speaking in a different Overall, the two days were a useful and conference gave many of us, including enlightening experience. It was a good language. myself, the reality of the media industry, opportunity to learn more about future with our speaker informing us that career paths and the wide range of We thought that it was a great the easiest route into television and careers available. experience for not only for us, but film was to gain work experience or for the class as well. be employed as a runner; a job which requires much more than first thought! Zsolt Tildy & Jemima Gosmore Eliza Rose & Jessie Griffiths

Autumn Term 2015 19 Fablab Ellesmere Port is part of a short tutorial on using open source network of 508 Fablabs around design software to run the laser cutter, the world. Fablab is a not for profit students were busy making card organisation and offers a creative prototypes. space for budding designers, makers, The rapid prototyping session was engineers and entrepreneurs to bring a great success as students learned Recently students their concepts and ideas to life. The lab by their mistakes quickly and made has state-of-the-art facilities including changes and alterations to their design ventured to Fablab 3D printers, a laser cutter, and a large drawings before cutting another CNC router. Anyone can visit Fablab prototype. Students would then test Ellesmere Port to and access this equipment. their prototype. By the end of the complete a Rapid The students were given the challenge session the students had created up to of creating an ornate stand for Faberge three card models and cut a final model Prototyping Activity. eggs for an art gallery. Following a in Perspex.

Oliver's Marvellous Moisture Detector Machine

Extraordinary inventor and challenged himself to invent an ingenious solution; outstanding Geographer Oliver The Marvellous Moisture Detector Machine. Hynds 8LA2 demonstrated brilliance, innovation and Oliver took only two days to invent the moisture imagination this term. Whilst detector, which used electrical currents to show planning his field work the level of moisture that was present on both investigation into the water permeable and impermeable surfaces. Thanks cycle and what occurs to his invention, the entire class was able to use a when precipitation reaches scale to understand the level of moisture on the the ground, Oliver different test sites around school.

Oliver clearly has a very bright future as both a Geographer, expert Engineer and Inventor.

20 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School In June 2015, I went on the Religious Education Places of Worship visit. First, we went to Places a Synagogue where we learnt about the Torah Scrolls and tried the special Challah Loaf. We then visited a Sikh Gurdwara. I learnt that instead of Gods and Prophets, they have Gurus, and they built a of shrine to the last Guru on the top floor of the Gurdwara.

The founder of Sikhism was Guru Nanak, and after we completed our Worship learning, we were given sweets and treats that were donated to the Gurdwaras by people who attended every week. When we went on the Religious Education visit to Liverpool, we Finally, we visited the Mosque. This visited different Places of Worship was my favourite place because called a Mosque and a Synagogue. we were allowed to look around, I thought it was a great experience and even have a look at the prayer room where the call to prayer could and we learnt a lot. My favourite be heard. part of the trip was visiting the Synagogue because we saw what We were also able to have a look it was like to be a Muslim and how around the top floor and do many they worship their God and the different activities. Altogether, the rules they have to follow. trip was very enjoyable.

Maisie Spauls 8KE2 Amelia Stalker Autumn Term 2015 21 Talk about a revolution... Design Technology is currently going through a revolution. Last year a group of GCSE students led by Lewis Gerrard and Mia Bellion petitioned Mr Lamberton to request for Design Technology to have a 3D printer.

Lewis believes it has further enhanced the students’ capabilities and has made them more aware of current trends in industrial design and the wider world. “It made me more aware of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and helped me to model my ideas without physically making them.”

Since its arrival, the 3D printer has changed the shape of lessons, teachers have made it accessible to all students regardless of age, and it has become an immensely popular design tool. Students have to develop their knowledge of CAD to generate their designs, which they can then send to the 3D printer. This has enabled the students to make products quickly to a professional standard. “ I really enjoy Reece Owens feels he has been able to expand his using the creative ideas in electronics and turn them into reality 3D printer easily and quickly. “We can also manufacture shapes that we wouldn’t be able to make traditionally such as in school Domes.” because it is very high tech Mathew Swift thinks that it is fun to create using Spaceclaim, “It’s helpful to make a unique product: I really enjoy using the 3D printer in and a different school because it is very high tech and a different way of way of creating your product.” creating your Due to the generosity and hard work of the CHSA, we now have funding to buy at least one additional 3D product” printer and very soon we hope to have a 3D printer permanently in each DT workshop for students of all year groups to use. If anyone wishes to see them in action then please ask any member of the DT department. Our Hot Scholars will be helping to set up and test the new equipment before it is in use for all. Watch this space.

22 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Sixth Form Who Leadership Teams is it? The Sixth Form Leadership Teams have already made a great start to the year with some excellent fundraising efforts for our In a new feature, using chosen charity, the Teenage Cancer Trust. ‘either or’ answers to We all organised a fun day on the field and have held cake sales and other activities some simple questionsfor the whole school to get involved in. and through a life-like We are organised into three different groups. The School Improvement caricature, can you Team is working towards improving guess which prominet teaching, learning, and the general school community. They have already carried staff member is being out some preliminary work on putting up described? new lockers and are planning new Sixth Form facilities. Whilst the Social and Fundraising Team organises the most important dates in the school calendar COFFEE (namely Prom and the Snow Ball!). OR TEA BOOK OR Transition work with Year 7s is the work of MAGAZINE the School Community Team, amongst DRIVER OR PASSENGER other things. Together, we are all working CHINESE FOOD OR to better the school community and the INDIAN FOOD way the school is run before we leave MAC OR IPAD in June - through attending Governors’ ROCK Meetings and working with teachers. OR POP CAT Collectively, we are always open to new OR DOG suggestions about things in which we can PHONE OR TEXT get involved and are keen to hear from you DOCTOR about possible future projects. OR DENTIST SMART OR CASUAL Ben Moody & Harry Hatwell PIZZA O R P A STA Video Tutorials in Art BATMAN OR SUPERMAN UNION OR LEAGUE CLARET OR BLUE COMEDY OR THRILLER EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL TWIX OR MARS Art Hot Scholars are creating a series TWITTER OR of video tutorials to help other students INSTAGRAM learn. The videos, which will be posted on BIRMINGHAM OR VILLA YouTube and on the school’s network, can GOLF be used by students who want to learn new OR TENNIS techniques and improve home learning BACON responses. OR SAUSAGE BROWN SAUCE OR Jess Jones, Ellie Carter and I have made KETCHUP the first of these videos, which is on ‘star CRICKET OR RUGBY scribble’- shading with biros. I hope that CORRIE we can make more tutorials soon as the OR EASTENDERS process was very enjoyable. MOVIE OR BOX SET The videos will be available on Mr Hornby’s GIRLS ALOUD OR YouTube channel - MrH@CHS. There is an LITTLE MIX advertisement poster for the videos in Mr X FACTOR OR STRICTLY Hornby’s room for anyone who would like to find out more about them. Ellie Smith Art Hot Scholar

Autumn Term 2015 23 We were delighted to welcome a team of nearly 25 representatives from Unilever earlier this term to work with all students in Year 8.

We are always keen to develop our links with local industry as part of our Pathway range of initiatives.

Unilever are a big local employer, as well as being one of the world’s leading fast-moving consumer goods companies with products sold in over 190 countries. More than 2 billion consumers worldwide use a Unilever product on any given day.

Unilever brands include these on the left.

The purpose of the workshop was to equip students with the tools they need to build and protect their self-esteem, thereby enabling them to realise their full potential. The workshop covered:

• Understanding what affects ‘self-esteem’ and ‘body confidence’

• Exploring how imagery may shape thoughts and feelings on body shape

• Seeing the reality behind media imagery

• Improving self-esteem skills.

Here’s what three of our Year 8’s thought about the experience:

“It was such a great session. I feel so much more confident and it is unbelievable what is done to make people look completely different, compared to what they look like in real life.” Oliver Hynds 8L2

“The female model wasn’t over pretty. Once they had finished putting make-up on and doing her hair, she was stunning. However, this isn’t real life because we The Unilever all have imperfections and no one is perfect.” George McElwaine 8BA2

Dove Self-Esteem “It was great to see how companies, e.g. Photoshop, edit a model’s picture to make them look better. I couldn’t Workshop Team believe the amount of make-up they put on to the models to alter their looks and get ready to enhance features.” Nung Sirisot 8Ba1

Many thanks to the Unilever team meet our Year 8 for delivering the sessions and to Mr Barton for coordinating the whole Students. event. 24 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Wednesdays are movie days...

This term the iResearch team has launched a Film Club

that takes place on Wednesdays after school from 2.30 pm

until 5.00 pm. Screenings are held in the school’s Lecture

Theatre, which with its theatrical widescreen, surround We went sound and comfortable leather seating makes an excellent to the Zoo... in-school cinema. Unlike so many of today’s multiplex cinemas, Film Club ...how about you? screenings are intimate and completely free of charge. Posters and trailers in the school’s iResearch Centre will As we study the topic animal rights, Religious Studies advertise the latest Film Club screenings. organised the trip to go to Chester Zoo so that we could learn about their conservation methods. In the morning each class had a conservation seminar. We learnt about the Any student wishing to attend a screening simply needs different statuses of populations of animals around the world, to fill in a membership form and come along to the as well as how Chester Zoo is trying to help. We then had free time to explore the Zoo and learn about these animals Lecture Theatre at 2.30 pm on Wednesdays. There will be first hand. Overall it was an interesting trip and we really charity snacks on sale for £1.00 each and we will also be enjoyed it! screening trailers for the latest films out in cinemas. Sophie Brown & Jenny Brooks

Film Club was launched in September 2015 with a

screening of the popular YA dystopian thriller ‘The Maze

Runner’ described by attending student Dylan Shone

as “a journey of a lifetime”. A Halloween Screening of

‘Hotel Transylvania’ and a Memorial Day screening of ‘The

Imitation Game’ followed this.

For regular Film Club members there will also be

opportunities to get involved in Film Club competitions,

trips and events. For students attending every week, there

will also be an opportunity to play a big role in choosing

the films that are screened at Christleton High School.

If you are interested in joining, please see Miss Cowley or

Miss Evans in the iResearch Centre for further details. Autumn Term 2015 25 On 25th October 2015, a group of 22 students travelled to Krakow, in Poland. On arrival, we explored the square to find a place for lunch. We then had time to go into the hotel and we were allocated our rooms. Then, we met a tour guide who guided us around the city and the ghetto. This was very informative and shocking because we learned how the people were treated, and stood in the square of the ghetto where thousands were killed. After this, we went to Schindler’s Factory, a museum dedicated to the efforts made by Oscar Schindler. In the evening, we went to the square where we had our meals.

The next day, we visited the salt mines and went down to the 3rd level. Massive sculptures of salt were made down in the chambers, which were extraordinary. After a short lunch, we travelled to a museum where we met a Holocaust survivor. It was extremely interesting to listen to her story and then ask our questions. Afterwards, we had more free time to either stay in the hotel or go into the square.

On the final day, we went to Auschwitz Birkenau. This is the largest concentration camp of World War II, the sheer size of it was overwhelming. Some of the barracks A group prisoners were reconstructed after the Nazis of Year 11 faced. students visited tried to hide the destruction. We Poland for four were able to enter some of the The visit proved to days. During the visit, barracks where the people slept, be very beneficial for they visited Podgorze washed, and worked. Then we the students’ progress, (Jewish ghetto) and the walked further into the camp until we as well as giving them a Schindler Factory Museum. reached where the gas chambers chance to sample the Polish This gave the students an idea culture with a trip to the main stood before being bombed. One of of how the Jewish population were town square, shopping and trying them remained a pile of rubble whilst treated once the Nazi party took the local cuisine. the other was rebuilt into a memorial control of Poland. to commemorate all the innocent “The trip to Poland was amazing, people killed here. The stone writing The second day gave the students yet surreal. It made us realise, that is put into more than 20 different an insight into pre-war Jewish life in we should be grateful for what we Krakow. It was at the Galicia Museum languages of the people who were have in life and to respect all human that the girls met Monika Goldwasser; brought into the camp over the years. beings.” Year 11 student. an incredible woman who survived the Holocaust by being smuggled out of the Personally, we believe that this trip Mr Hollywood, Head of Citizenship & ghetto to a convent and went on to be has opened our eyes to such massive PSHE added: “It was a pleasure to adopted by a Polish family. However, take this group of students to Poland, scale destruction of human lives and Monika was brought up unaware of her not only did they gain a better has taught us that it cannot happen heritage. understanding of the Holocaust, but again. Although some of the things it also embedded the Social, Moral, we witnessed were distressing, the The tour of the notorious Auschwitz Spiritual and Cultural values that trip also allowed us to have fun in a concentration camp the following we embrace as part of our ethos new environment with our friends and day was a powerful experience for and curriculum at Christleton High all students and really reinforced the peers. School.” chilling experience that so many Fern Horsfield & Amy Russon 26 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School While we were on the school trip to Krakow, Poland, we visited Auschwitz for a day. Auschwitz is split into three camps; we went to two called Auschwitz and Auschwitz Birkenau.

During the first part of the day, we had a tour around Auschwitz Birkenau. In this part of the camp, the prisoners lived in wooden huts and worked doing pointless labour. Most of the prisoners worked themselves to death. Some people, on arrival at Auschwitz Birkenau and after assessment by doctors, were sent straight to the gas chambers. They will have arrived by train, which is why a long piece of train track runs straight through the centre of the camp, dividing the women and children’s area from the men’s area.

On the far side of the camp, there is a monument honouring those who died written in all the languages that they will have spoken between them. cloth sacks packed with straw see the monument at the other end of There are also the remains of strewn across the floors, that area, but you could not quite see the gas chambers, and the with a few of the rooms the border. This was the same either basic structures of the huts having actual beds side of the control tower. (a few of the huts have and their own been reconstructed toilet. These The most upsetting part of the visit was so that you can see rooms were for going into the buildings in Auschwitz the conditions in which people that the and seeing all the faces of those killed people lived). Nazis thought would in the Holocaust. If you looked at their be helpful to them and eyes, you could see their sadness In the second part of the day, gave jobs to that would and their lack of hope. The Nazis we were shown Auschwitz. In this keep them at the camp had shaved their heads and they area of the camp, the entrance gate longer than the others. were all so thin and fragile that reads, “Work Makes You Free”, and they all looked very similar, the people were forced to live in old Some rooms were the toilets, which made it easier for army barracks. At first glance, this with lines of small pots the Nazi soldiers to kill part of the camp is surprisingly against the walls and them, because they beautiful in the way it is set barriers that people did not see them out and the nature grows could only use twice as individuals. around the buildings. a day. Some of However, once the rooms were you step inside the washrooms, I buildings you face the where long troughs would harsh reality of what really were placed similarly say that happened. Inside the different to the pots in the toilet visiting buildings there are rooms rooms. Photographs of Auschwitz dedicated to certain artefacts. These people taken into Auschwitz is extremely include one room full of two tonnes of lined the walls of the corridors worthwhile human hair, one full of shoes, one full in these buildings, each one because you can only of suitcases, one full of pots and framed with the person’s really appreciate what pans, one full of brushes, one full name and number (and happened and the scale at of prosthetic limbs, etc. sometimes their which it happened if you have occupation) written seen the place. By just reading Most of these neatly beneath the through textbooks and watching possessions were photograph. videos, it’s hard to grasp that the never used by the Holocaust actually happened. Seeing people imprisoned The size of the artefacts and buildings turns the in Auschwitz once they Auschwitz as a whole numbers that we get so used to seeing arrived at the camp. Some shocked me the most. into actual people that we can relate to. of the buildings are also set up In Auschwitz Birkenau, to look as they would have looked when standing in the control at the time. There were “beds” of tower, it was only just possible to Briony Vickers 11BA1

Autumn Term 2015 27 At Christleton Leaver Programmes. The High School, Apprenticeship side of the Sixth Formers site allows them access to benefit from Apprenticeships as they go live using ‘Unifrog’ during the year. to help them with their A Sixth Former’s view: “Unifrog is University and fun to use and made searching career choices. for the right courses for me much easier. It got me to think about Unifrog is an award important factors such as what winning online platform course would suit me, what kind of which connects students to university I want to study in, how far the best courses and away from home I want to be and apprenticeships, while allowing how much I want to pay for accom- teachers to track their progress. It is modation.” the only place where students can compare every University course, Mrs Hughes, Head of Year 13, apprenticeship and FE course in agrees: “The computer based pro- the UK. gramme is intuitive and easy to use and really helps students weave Unifrog aims to help improve their way through the overwhelm- Challenge students’ destinations, including ing amount of information they are increasing access to the Russell offered to make a life-changing Group, Oxbridge, and School decision.”

Many people dismiss photography as experience and for it be a masterpiece. Is Photography not being “real art” but it is an art form But the same goes for a drawing, yes, just as much as traditional drawing or you could be a natural and draw a painting. There are different styles of good drawing with no experience but photography and to get a good photo of course it would be better if you knew you need to practice and have the right how to maximise the skills required. skill set. So with photography you need to know Art? It’s difficult to just take a photo with no your equipment, which is your camera and also how it works. It is important to understand there are different types of camera. Just like a paint brush, you wouldn’t use a fat brush to do a small detailed part; you wouldn’t use a land- scape lens for a close-up photo. Photography can also be a job and not just a hobby, you can sell photos for thousands of pounds just like other artworks. There are so many famous photography artists all across the globe. Ansle Adams is a famous photogra- pher; he shot mostly in black and white and that is a medium that can be very powerful in photos. This shows that photography is a form of art. I really enjoy photography and I am learning about aperture and shutter speed to make my photographs even better. When I take good photographs it feels nice to have spent time learning how to take them well. Here is one of my best photos I have taken in a forest. James Harris 9BA2

28 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Onward Christleton soldiers…

Congratulations to two of our Year 10 students, Megan Tuck and James Parry, who have been announced as winners of our photography and article TRASH TREK writing competition! Challenge Ten STEM Club students are once again embarking on the exciting journey of the First Lego League competition.

This year they’re not talking trash, they’re cleaning it up in the 2015 Lego League TRASH TREK Both students produced excellent challenge. More than 233,000 work, were presented with a card, children in over 80 countries will vouchers, and will also receive a copy explore the fascinating world of of the ‘Christleton War Voices 1914-18’ trash. From collecting to sorting, to book that is due, hot off the press, smart production and reuse, there later this month. is more to your trash than meets the eye. The competition was launched during a school trip to the battlefields of Every year each challenge has France and Belgium earlier this year three parts: the Robot Game, the and was supported by Christleton’s Project and the FLL core values. Local Historical Association. Teams participate in the challenge by programming an autonomous Mr David Cummings of the Historical robot to score points on a themed Association judged the work of both playing field (robot game), students. David has worked very developing a solution to a problem closely with the school as part of they have identified (Project), all an on-going school and community guided by the FLL core values. Teams then attend the official project to increase students’ tournament in December. awareness of World War 1, with a particular focus on local history. This is our second year attempting If you have an interest in finding the FLL Challenge and some of our older students who took part last out about the experiences of local year are mentoring some of the Christleton soldiers and how World new younger team members in the War 1 affected our local community, development of strategies, in order please visit the ‘Christleton Village to score the maximum amount of Website’ and click on the ‘War Voices points. Stay tuned for the results of 1914-18’ tab. the competition in the next issue of the SWAN. christleton.org.uk/christleton2/index.html

Autumn Term 2015 29 Nesscliffe 2015...... preparing our cadets for action

Nesscliffe is a training camp These activities include, but are not limited to: shooting, climbing, Day 1: for Cadets held every year The first day at Nesscliffe began at clay pigeon shooting, radio 0700 hours. After breakfast, the at Nesscliffe Training Centre. communications and camouflage morning was spent rock climbing The camp is aimed mainly at and concealment training. Air Cadets and runs from a on a simulated cliff face. Shooting followed lunch, using two different Sunday to the following Friday, weapons. The first weapon used is however the activities on a no 8 bolt action rifle, a .22 version offer are available to all of the Lee Enfield. The second Cadet Services. weapon used is the L98, a modified

The boys did the school proud and History Group. We had a fantastic performed well under the pressure and thought provoking time both Honouring of the occasion, while getting a at the Cenotaph Memorial and the real sense of what Remembrance Imperial War Museum.” our fallen Day is all about. In attendance at the wreath laying ceremony were Daniel Richards (Year 9): “My representatives of the Armed time in London was fantastic. I heroes Forces, the ‘Khaki Chums’ and laid the wreath with my brother other dignitaries. The boys were during the ceremony, which was even shown on the national news amazing. I also found the Imperial coverage of the event! War Museum fascinating and interesting.” The day concluded with a trip to the Imperial War Museum and a look Danny Traynor (Year 8): “The around their World War 1 exhibit. ceremony was incredibly moving and I learned a lot from the Imperial A big thank you to David Cummings War Museum.” and the Christleton Local History Group, who kindly provided funds Sahil Bareja (Year 8): “The trip was for the boys to take part in this once very memorable and something I in a lifetime opportunity. will never forget. Thank you to all who helped organise the trip and Nick Broughton (Year 10): provide us with this opportunity “Thank you to the Western Front during such an important day.” Association and Christleton Local

2015 Cenotaph Memorial trip

Our History Hot Scholars have been busy again this year and were invited by John Chester of the Western Front Association to lay a wreath during the Remembrance Ceremony at the London Cenotaph on 11th November 2015.

30 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School SA80, the British Army’s current rifle.

Day 2: This was the longest day of the week as it started at 0530 hours and went on until 2200 hours, to include day exercise and night exercise. These are exercises in which the Cadets in their flights are able to use their camouflage, navigation and team working skills in a practical setting. The Cadets must have ration packs for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Day 3: The day started with radio communications. The Officer in charge of the radio commas made us all march whilst singing and acting ‘Head, shoulders, knees and toes’. Staying in time was difficult…. Lest We but not impossible. The day finished with clay pigeon shooting, archery, and crossbow. Armistice Day 2015 Forget Flight Lieutenant Hollywood, Contingent Commander CCF, led Cadets, students Day 4: and staff in a two-minute silence at 11:00am on 11 November, commemorating The final active day consisted of the signing of the armistice, which ended World War One at Compiegne on 11 field exercise. This is the less November 1918, and remembering the Nation’s war dead in conflicts throughout mature younger brother of day exercise, and uses most of the history. Flying Officer J Hudson, SSI same skills as day exercise but runs to normal timings, 0700 hours – 1600 hours. As with day exercise, field exercise is aimed at allowing the Cadets to use their camouflage, navigation, and radio communication skills in a practical environment.

Two days were spent preparing to go to Nesscliffe and then to leave again. Overall, the Nesscliffe camp is extremely enjoyable, but tiring, and enables Cadets to complete activities that they would otherwise be unable to do.

Greg Adderley

Autumn Term 2015 31 What about breeding? The Barn Owl will choose one of its many roosting places as its breeding site which may be in an old barn, a bale stack, a tree hole or a purpose built nesting box. The female will usually lay between 4 and 6 white eggs but this could be higher if prey is abundant. Records show that the survival rate for juvenile Barn Owls in their first Biologists go year is only about 30% - most will have unfortunately died during the winter months due to starvation, because of their inexperience in hunting in winter conditions and the reduction in small mammal prey at this time of the year.

The really important bit – why are their numbers Barn Owl! in decline and what can (Latin Name – Tyto alba) be done to help them? National surveys showed there has the eyes gives it binocular vision been a staggering 85% decline in As part of (seeing an object with both eyes Barn Owl numbers in Cheshire over their ‘Wildlife at the same time) and enables the 50 years, which is more than the owl to judge the distance of its 69% recorded nationally. Conservation’ topic, prey more accurately. The eyes are fixed in their sockets so that they The decline is due to a number of Year 13 students are unable to move thus limiting reasons including: peripheral vision but to compensate were treated to a for this the owl can rotate its head • Loss of suitable habitat as a highly informative through 360 degrees. result of land development and modern farming practices presentation from Where do they live and • Loss of suitable nest and roost sites, through felling of mature Bernard Wright of what do they eat? trees and conversion of farm Barn Owls occupy open country buildings The Broxton Barn or farmland with rough tussocky Owl Group. Some grassland, typically along field • Changes in weather patterns margins, ditches, woodland edge, • Road deaths which account of what they learnt is and young plantations where a high for approximately 50% of all density of small mammals (its food) recorded Barn Owl deaths here. can be supported. The Barn Owl hunts mainly by night but can be The conservation group work What do they look like? seen before dusk and around dawn with landowners and members of The Barn Owl is a much loved particularly during the breeding the local community to improve British bird with its distinctive white season when feeding young. Once habitats with wildlife corridors, heart shaped facial disc and its the prey has been detected the owl erection of nesting boxes and by predominately white breast/under will hover momentarily then swoop promoting the general awareness part. They are mainly nocturnal down stretching its legs and talons to the plight of the Barn Owl. and hunt by sound and by sight. forward into the long grass and They have an acute sense of onto its prey. The prey is normally For more information go to hearing and can detect the slightest swallowed whole or taken directly www.bbog.co.uk/index.html movement and sound of their back to the nest site to feed the prey. The forward facing aspect of young owlets. Year 13 Biologists

32 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Who is it? In a new feature, using ‘either or’ answers to some simple questions Physics and through a life-like caricature, can you News guess which prominent Physicists Assess the Risk staff member is being In October 2015, the Year 13 Physicists took the annual described? pilgrimage to Alton Towers to investigate the Physics of Fairground Rides and support their learning of this key A2 RED topic. The emphasis this year was to understand how the OR BLUE rides were designed to give thrill and excitement but also COFFEE OR TEA to think about how risk is managed. Despite it being the BOOK OR MAGAZINE first day of Scarefest and the weather being dry and sunny, DRIVER Alton Towers was very quiet. The students managed to make OR PASSENGER extensive use of the quiet theme park and were able to go CHINESE FOOD OR INDIAN FOOD on ride after ride after ride without queuing. MAC OR IPAD ROCK OR POP CAT OR DOG PHONE OR TEXT DOCTOR OR DENTIST SMART OR CASUAL BMW OR MERCEDES PIZZA O R Student Success P A STA In July 2015, Tess Corr was awarded “Young Physicist of BATMAN OR SUPERMAN the Year” along with students from a number of schools COMEDY OR THRILLER across the Chester and Merseyside STEM area. The EARLY BIRD OR NIGHT OWL award is presented by The Ogden Trust in conjunction HEAD & SHOULDERS with Liverpool John Moores University. It was presented at OR JUST FOR MEN an awards evening at Spaceport, Seacombe where there TWIX OR MARS was an opportunity to talk with professional Physicists and TWITTER OR INSTAGRAM Astronomers, view the Dr Who exhibition and attend an SUMMER astronomy lecture by Professor Andy Newsam. OR WINTER GOLF OR TENNIS BROWN SAUCE OR KETCHUP CRICKET OR RUGBY MOVIE OR BOX SET UNION OR LEAGUE

Autumn Term 2015 33 usical Madness!

choice . . . does he give himself up to the This is a jukebox musical where a highly Cor blimey! Would police closing in on him or make a run for it? successful back catalogue of popular songs by 80’s ska band, Madness, is shoehorned you Adam and Eve The musical explores both choices alongside into a dramatic narrative. Good houses are each other and asks us to reflect on which built on solid foundations and Tim Firth is a it? Forget Walford, would have been better. The Joe who highly respected playwright and film director, runs away, escapes the law, and after a who is currently turning his highly successful we’ve moved “norf minor career in crime goes into property film, “Calendar Girls” into a musical with Gary development creating great material Barlow of “Take That”. Clearly influenced by of the rivah” to success. Through his calculated charity the film, “Sliding Doors” and Willy Russell’s and good deeds, he even wins back Sarah. musical, “Blood Brothers” this show has Camden, the setting He is the envy of his friends and the local excellent parentage. community until he gets involved with the very man whose flat he broke into, originally. The energy, commitment, and superb for the Madness In the course of one final big job, he risks acting, singing, playing, dancing and undermining everything in a basic act of technical wizardry demonstrated in this musical, “Our betrayal. Is his a success story, or has he school’s production was a joy to watch. sold his soul, right from the start? From the excellent band’s overture with House”. wonderfully “smoky” sax playing, to the final The alternative Joe takes the rap for ensemble number, there were excellent In essence, this show is in the tradition of an breaking and entering, but gets more than performances from a cast who supported ‘Everyman’ morality tale. Joe Casey (Greg he bargained for in the form of a prison and totally complemented each other. The James) grows up in Casey Street, Camden sentence and discovering that there is show, which is largely about community NW1 in a house (the ‘our house’ of the title) no such thing as “doing time pays for the and its importance, was made real by the and estate originally built by his grandfather. crime”. After being released, he is dogged whole ensemble. The brightly coloured But things have gone downhill since then. by his initial mistake. He faces prejudice and “cartoonish” set, clever use of projections His Dad (Max Enston) died after a career of rejection as he naively proclaims that he is and multi-levelled staging were employed criminality based on a series of increasingly proud to be an ex-offender and sinks further extremely well, especially in the ensemble bad choices, so Joe has been brought up by into unintended crime. Virtue is not valued pieces, which gave us many of the greatest his long-suffering single mum, Kath (Jamilla as any sort of reward as he has to face the hits like, “Our House”, “Baggy Trousers” Spauls). He is a popular figure at school, but contempt and loss of all his friends, including and “Wings of a Dove”. The whole cast in the course of a minor break-in, motivated – apparently – Sarah. The two stories merge seemed tireless in their performance energy by a desire to impress his girlfriend, Sarah, quite deftly at the end and the community is which seemed to re-energise with each full (Brogan Craine) Joe has to make a crucial preserved. company production number.

34 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Individually, there were many impressive Enston had the interesting role of Dad, who production, the “sparks” (lighting) and performances, none more so than Greg as a sort of narrator figure, similar to the role sound technical teams whose work is only James’s dual role as Joe Casey. His ability in “Blood Brothers”, attempted to direct his commented on if it goes wrong! Leaping to switch from naïve, young man to slick, son to make better choices, than he did. He up and down the aural scaffolding, the slime-ball “entrepreneur” within seconds was a menacingly good ghostly presence sound crew managed to get everyone’s was amazing. Not only has he great acting who blended well in the vocal duets he voice in focus and without feedback or ability, both vocally and visually, he was had with other cast members. Much of the distortion. I could have done without the so believable in both roles, but he is also comedy came from the excellent pairs of overuse of the roll of thunder cliché, which blessed with an excellent singing voice, friends of Joe and Sarah. Alex Haggart was meant to signal the switch between the which projected the lyrics clearly and and Nathan Houlbrook as Emmo and Lewis two Joes, but that’s just personal taste. The perceptively: he can also dance! Greg was had wonderful comic timing and judged use of projection was very imaginative. I partnered, equally impressively, by Brogan the mix of laddish brashness and little-boy liked the use of opening doors to reinforce Craine as Sarah. Not only was her emotional vulnerability, perfectly. They were a great the element of choice, and the effects for journey beautifully performed but vocally, for double act. Kelly Stevens and Katie Trafford “Driving in my Car” were brilliant – the “Star me, she produced the highlight of the night, were equally good as Sarah’s sharply acidic Wars” sequence, especially. I suspect, with her deeply felt and stunningly acted and fairy godmothers! They both had great however, that I was not the only one who, for sung performance of “NW5”. Jamilla Spauls stage presence. Although Joe Casey is the first few seconds, was unnerved by the was completely convincing as Kath, and her presented as both “goodie” and “baddie”, effect of the car being driven at speed, in Irish accent, set against the rest of the cast’s there are two “Baddies” in the show, Reecey reverse, down the road! “Camdenese” was a brilliant detail, linked and Mr Pressman. It doesn’t matter whether to the social history of Irish navvies working crooks are “small-time” or “big-time”, they’re Much of the thanks must go to the in the late 1900s to build the London still crooks. Christian Castle caught all the backstage crew, the producers, directors, Underground, marrying local girls swagger and corruptive influence of the “lad costume, make-up and props department and producing men like Joe’s on the make”, but possibly more sinister was and everyone else who kept the mixer grandfather who literally Meredydd Jones’s Mr. Pressman, whose topped up and rolling to cement this show built himself a role in interview with both Joes was an object together. his community. lesson in corporate seediness. All the other Max small roles were well acted. I particularly “Our House” was a “show house” of the enjoyed Osian Williams as Sarah’s nerdy amazing collaborative work produced by boyfriend. several departments and the amazing opportunities offered by the Christleton Massive congratulations must Musicals Apprenticeship Scheme which is also go to the bricks and building brilliance for the future, as seen by mortar of the the number of ex-students who came back to be part of the show’s crew. This is one amazing school property, which can’t be overvalued.

Howard Kane

Autumn Term 2015 35 36 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School About Maisie Pagett’s African About Sophie Clark’s wolf, Abi About Emma Collins’ work About Maisie Pagett’s rhino, Shoebill Stork stamps, Ellie Pine said: “This piece is very for the Stroke Association, Matty Duffy said: “I like the Partridge said,”I like the fact good; it shows good quality Tom Martin said: “Very clever limited amount of colour this work represents the idea of use of biro, and good use of motherhood by means of a bird that drawing, painting and star and the biro star scribble is known as a good mother. It was scribble all in good combination. Photoshop. She has displayed was extremely well done made for a charity that works for It also demonstrates a good use a very good understanding because it is so small how someone with a stroke safe motherhood and it shows the of symmetry.” and neat. Great natural instinct of mothering a baby. can lose total control of one I also like the way each stamp is side of their face.” graduated-tone different; no two designs are alike.” too!” Year 10’s GCSE Art Review Maddie Clerkin is a Y10 Fine Art student and an Art Hot Scholar. She asked some of her Y10 peers to review a number of last year’s Y11 pieces of art and here is what they said...

About Billy Walsh’s stamp About Izzy Bowman’s sheep designs, Hania Arthur said: skull, Beth Layder said: ”I “I thought the blending and really appreciate the mark- graduated tone were really making; I also like how well demonstrated in this intricate and finely-detailed it work. It is very bright all is. colourful and I love Great use of a biro!” the mark-making.”

About Hannah Jones’ bird skull, About Anna Kew’s work, About Kiran Randhawa’s Maggie Corr said: “In the bird Arabella Wagner said: “I really painting, Lizzie Glading said: skull, I really like how intricate appreciate how this really “I think the attention to detail the star scribble is because the shows thoughts about a is very good and the artist has artist has done it very subtly. I chocolate factory. I also used a wide variety of tones also like the astonishing use like the way that Anna effectively. She has also used of graduated tone.” has created a shadow mark-making well to show underneath the world and facial contours.” blended colours so well.”

Autumn Term 2015 37 Christleton High School RAF Cadets Remembrance Parade in Chester Early Sunday morning on the 8th November 2015, members of the RAF Remembering Cadet Force (CCF) from our school marched through Chester city centre as part of the city’s Remembrance Service parade. the fallen The morning began with us all ‘buddying up’ and checking that uniforms were well presented and in on Remembrance Day pristine condition for the occasion. We marched through Chester headed towards the Cathedral. and Armistice Day

The Cathedral was bursting with Remembrance Day is one of the most recognised serving members of the Armed Forces, Cadets, dignitaries, parents, and days in the world. The guns fell silent in 1918 at members of the public. During the Service, our Cadets were able to hear the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month. a sermon from Capt. Rev Paul Robinson Now we remember all the lives lost in the two CF, Chaplain to 75 Engineer Regiment. The Cadets’ conduct was superb and World Wars and later conflicts to make the world it was clear that they were struck by the importance and poignancy of the a safer place. A two-minute silence is held on occasion, particularly as it was our first Remembrance Sunday, the closest Sunday to year, as a contingent, to attend such an important service of commemoration Remembrance Day, and on Armistice Day. and thanksgiving. The integrity and dignity of all involved and the As an RAF CCF Cadet, I was able to take part in Remembrance Parades together overwhelming support of the public with other RAF, Army, and Navy Cadets. On Sunday, 8th November 2015, the CCF made me feel proud to be part of it. Cadets took part in a parade through Chester; we marched from Bridge Street up to the Cathedral. At the Cathedral, we took part in a Service to remember and A collection of words from the honour all the people who lost their lives for their country. remembrance day service such as “how hateful is the panoply of war”, Towards the end of the Service, we formed up as a parade outside near the War Memorial where the Last Post was played and a two-minute silence held. A wreath “for reconciliation between the nations, was placed on the memorial, and the Reveille played to signal the end of the that all people may, together, live silence and the Service. From there, everyone marched back past the library in in freedom, justice and peace”; Chester to where we fallout as a parade. It was quite an experience to see and be “forgiveness” these words a part of the parade, especially as this was my first time. I would like to do it again, humbled me and I shed but unfortunately, this is my last year in the school, and therefore, in the CCF. a tear, because that is what I am about. On Armistice Day, 11th November 2015, the CCF Cadets all took part in a school That is why I parade and silence to remember and honour all who have died in war. The Cadets volunteered to be formed up in two flights, the last post was played, and the silence was held. a reservist for the Flight Lieutenant Hollywood gave a speech about the lives lost and from there RAF. the silence was held. Many people gathered around the Cadets, took part in the silence, and paid their respects. Flt Lt Ian Hollywood To see the experience is incredible but to take part is amazing. Being part of the Contingent RAF Cadet Force (CCF) is a great experience and I would thoroughly recommend Commander it, just from this experience alone. RAFVR (T) Joshua Rimmer

38 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Destinations, destinations... where did our Sixth formers go? Picturesque Class of 2015 Chester 99 received places, the vast majority at their first-choice university Placed proudly on the wall of the Grosvenor Museum Art gallery, is 41 students got into Russell Group Universities: this interesting piece of artwork by Edmund Garvey. It is the Durham Andrew Baldacchino (Physics) impressive view painted from Bethan Hosker (Modern Languages and Cultures) the South Bank of the River Dee Cillian Reboul (Business and Management) Bridge. Ellie Mageean (Psychology) Leeds Katy Boyce (Medicine) Rosie Chatfield (Geography) Mia Connolly (Geography and Spanish) Ella Hodgkiss (Biochemistry) Harry Killoran (Geography) Elena Mianzan (Environmental Science) Bristol Eve Cornwell (Law) Amy Henderson (English Literature) Imperial Jenny Finnerty (Chemistry) Birmingham Jonas Grader (Physiotherapy) Edmund Garvey, the painter, Newcastle Chris Harrington (Mechancial Engineering), Lydia Ward (International Business Management) lived from 1764 until 1813, when Manchester Mark Hearn (Medicine) he died at the age of 49. He Rebecca Neary (Psychology) uses his unique style and skills Emma Russell (Pharmacy) to really emphasise the beauty York Jordan Stevens (Politics & International Relations) of Chester during the day only Jenny Tilston (Law) using his talent, brush and paint. Katherine Weddell (Chemistry) He does this in a way that shows Catherine Lau (Philosophy) you how Chester must have Liverpool Emma Jones (Law) looked during the 1700’s. Brendan Ward O’Brien (Chemistry) Tom Joesbury (Geography) Elliot Tong (Mechanical Engineering) His stunning talent is really Sheffield Sophie Pine (History) portrayed in the painting, when Lydia Price (History) you look at it, the water seems Emma Heath (Geography) to sparkle and glimmer in the Warwick Sandeep Randhawa (Engineering) light and the figures are painted Cardiff Alice Rees (English Literature) in a way which makes them look LSE Jack Riley (Philosophy and Economics) so realistic. The people in the Yidan Hou (Economics) painting seem almost real as Exeter Eve Riley (History and International Relations) they fish and stroll by the river. Rebecca Nibbs (Geography) King’s College, London Patrick Spencer (Physics with Theoretical Physics) In my opinion, the painting The following students took up exciting new opportunities, too: doesn’t need many words to describe it as the painting does Chris Phillips took up a Higher LevelApprenticeship at Bentleys that for itself. From the intricate Shaun Coppock took up a Higher Level Apprenticeship at MBNA cathedral in the background Harry Killoran took up a Scholarship to play Cricket in Australia, to the bold bridge that also - before taking up a place to study Geography at Leeds in 2017 features. It is a truly phenomenal Jordan Coxall took up a Sports Scholarship to play Football in USA painting and really shows Chester to its full potential. Congratulations to all of the CLASS OF 2015. We wish you a bright and happy future. Natasha Lawrence

Autumn Term 2015 39 Adventure Training Weekend 23 – 25 October 2015 October 25 – 23 Weekend Training Adventure

CCF Updates... RAF Cadet Force – Part 1 Cadets Over the last few weeks in CCF, we have done various activities, like fieldwork, which includes camouflaging ourselves using green and brown paint, and then hiding in some undergrowth trying not to be spotted. We have learnt skills like First Aid, leadership, cooking for camp and in addition, we have learnt drill including marching. The CCF provides many opportunities and there are many more opportunities in the future to do fun activities. Cara Jones

Part 1 Cadets engaged in some Adventurous Training (AT) consisting of navigation, rock climbing; team building, mountain biking and high ropes, At Cadets, you are given numerous which was hosted at new opportunities, which aren’t Capel Curig Training available anywhere else. There are Camp, a Joint Service many adventure weekends away Mountain Training where we do things like rock climbing and high ropes courses as well as trips Centre near Betws-y- to Gibraltar and Cyprus. Flight training Coed, North Wales. is also something that you can do with the Cadets. You can learn to fly Despite the difficult a plane so if you are interested in the autumnal conditions, Armed Forces it will definitely give you which tested the an advantage in that respect. I really Cadets’ resolve, enjoy being a Cadet; a beneficial they put their all into experience that I won’t ever forget. the training. They Ellie Carter have managed to build a good set of team working Being a Lance Corporal in the CCF and leadership has taught me to be confident, skills, which will be motivational, and assertive when relevant both back working with the Cadets. Every group on unit, and for any needs a strong leadership team and future endeavours. that is what the NCOs and Officers bring to the Squadron. The CCF training programme We get lots of opportunities to low ropes, field craft, flying to build strives to deliver on our leadership roles and team Adventure working skills. I personally believe Training these experiences have pushed my every term to limitations and have taught me the Cadets; further value of being a senior rank in the opportunities RAF. will be available in February Jr Cpl Hope-Baines half term. 40 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School TheThe CheshireCheshire SchoolSchool BookBook AwardsAwards

On 14th October 2015, 21 students from Years 8 to 11 went to Winsford E-Act Academy to attend the 10th anniversary of the Annual Cheshire School Book Awards Launch Event.

It was hosted in the Academy’s Theatre and two authors attended – Jon Mayhew and Bryony Pearce. Jon Mayhew is the author of such books as ‘Mortlock’, ‘The Demon Collector’, and ‘The Bonehill Curse’, whereas Briony Pearce has authored ‘Angel’s Fury’, ‘The Weight of Souls’ and her most recent book, ‘Phoenix King’.

A selection of free cakes and biscuits were available for attendees, along with coffee, tea and other soft beverages, while a small stand sold books from the authors in attendance for £5 apiece. The show started with Jon Mayhew talking about his latest books and his ’Ten tips on how to become an author’. Pearce, ‘After Walkers’ by Tom Becker thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it.” He was only on his third or fourth point and ‘13 Days of Midnight’ by Led Hunt. when clearly expressing that he has an Edward Dunford said, ‘The Bonehill easily frightened nature, despite the The winner will be voted for by young Curse’ is a suspenseful, fast- paranormal aspect to the large majority readers and will be announced at a moving, exciting book recording the of his books. ceremony in June 2016. After the adventurous capers of Necessity shortlist was announced, bookmarks Bonehill after she unleashes a creature Bryony Pearce then took her turn were handed out to attendees and of death upon London. Spiced with advertising her books and describing students could get their bookmarks humour, this book is one of the best her background. Then students, in and books signed by their authors books of the decade, the pages almost attendance from multiple schools respectively. Students then had a final turn themselves, and it’s impossible to scattered across Cheshire, took turns opportunity to talk to the authors or buy put down.” asking each author questions such as a book before leaving and the Awards ‘Which of your books would you most Trip ended. I have also read Bryony Pearce’s ‘The want to be adapted into a movie?’ and Weight of Souls’, about a young girl ‘What’s your favourite book?’ as well as Here are some opinions by students on who can see murdered spirits and must the classic ‘What inspired you to write?’ some of the shortlisted books: avenge the deaths of those who touch Alex Bishop, 8Ba2 said about Jon her. However, when her school bully After that, the seven books making Mayhew’s ‘Mortlock’, “It is set in is murdered and she gets touched up the final shortlist for the Cheshire Victorian times and is a kind of Gothic she must deal with a deep personal Book Award were announced. These mystery book. It’s quite fast moving struggle and uncover a dangerous books were: ‘One’ by Sarah Crossan, and has mythical creatures. It describes secret association and conspiracy. It’s ‘The Door That Led all the characters well and has a good an incredible, fast-moving book based To Where’ by Sally variety of speech and text. The start is on gothic and supernatural themes, Gardner, ‘Finding interesting as it is a flashback, which which I would strongly recommend. Aubrey’ by Sophie helps you with the rest of the story.” Kinsella, ‘Phoenix Last year’s winner was ‘Half Bad’ by Rising’ by Bryony After reading ‘Phoenix Rising’ by Sally Green of Warrington, a book that Bryony Pearce, May Fowles said, “I has been compared to ‘Harry Potter’, really enjoyed this book as it was fast- ‘Twilight’, and ‘The Hunger Games’. moving and the author built tension Recently its movie rights were sold to throughout the book. I liked the plot as Fox 2000. ‘Half Bad’ has broken two it was very mysterious and thoughtful. Guinness Book World Records for ‘the The author could maybe have gone most translated book before publication more in-depth with the characters and for a debut author’ and ‘most translated shown more emotion. Over all I children’s book before publication for a debut author’. Jude Jones Autumn Term 2015 41 studio school Update In the last edition of The Swan we shared the vision and We have held a number of events for students aged 14 rationale for establishing a Studio School. In summary this is: and 16, who would be eligible to start next September. The events have been very well attended and we already Studio Schools are a new type of state school typically for have over a third of the available places secured by a around 300 students. They are aimed at 14-19 year olds of formal admissions request. If you or your son/daughter are all abilities, and are designed to better prepare young people considering the Studio, now is the time to ask the necessary for future employment. Our Studio will adopt a new approach questions and make the commitment. At the moment about to learning with a focus on teaching through enterprise 20% of the place requests have come from CHS students. projects, personalisation and actual work experience. This will ensure students’ learning enables them to understand The Department for Education and Education Funding and relate to employers’ needs, and helps them to develop Agency are responsible for securing and developing an their talents into skills and experience they need to flourish appropriate building and site for the Studio. Our consultation in life. with you and with a wider Cheshire and North Wales audience, indicated that a city centre location was highly preferred in terms of transport links, availability to employers, Why are we creating a Studio? and also to give this exciting project the status it deserves. I Our school is over-subscribed and provides a very good have been told by the DfE that although negotiations are well education for most of our students. We wish to diversify underway we cannot comment on these publicly. and provide an alternative pathway channelling talent with the guidance of local and national employers. We want to We have been delighted with the response from employers, do this for a small minority of our students, and of the wider small and large, who have supported the concept, given us community. We believe the school will benefit by cross- ideas about how best to deliver work-related learning, and fertilisation of ideas and staff development. with offers of placements both long and short term. If you or your employer would like to be involved with the project, please contact me directly and we can share the aims, values Who might and opportunities for employers working with us. choose to go to the Studio? The next few months Students who • As students begin option planning in their own schools, enjoy more holistic we expect the remaining 30 places in Year 10 to be learning, and active taken. problem-solving. We • The post-16 admissions process occurs in December anticipate that about and January and we are visiting schools and holding 10% (20 per year) of events to share the Studio offer and, in particular, the our students may opt prestigious International Baccalaureate programmes. for the Studio. The • We hope to be able to confirm the location of the Studio remaining places premises. will be allocated • The CIS website will expand to contain all the details to students from a families want, along with the statutory policies, school much wider area. calendar and contact details. • We will be contacting confirmed admissions and holding taster events, which will enable students to Progress over the last few months practice their journeys and experience the exciting We have completed the necessary training and planning to new way of learning. be allowed to offer the International Baccalaureate Diploma and Career-Related Programmes. This normally takes two If you have any questions, ideas or comments, we would be years but the IB European Team senior management have delighted to respond. Please mark these for my attention reviewed our case, and are so impressed they have agreed and send to [email protected] a fast track approach to enable us to begin courses when the Studio opens in September 2016. My thanks go to Julie In the interim, can I thank you for your interest and support. Jones for her work in this area. Tony Lamberton

42 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School On Wednesday, 21st October 2015 to the 23rd, we went to Wales to explore and learn about how flooding is managed in Wales and how some areas rebranded to diversify.

The Year 12 Conwy Fieldtrip was an educational experience where we were able to develop teamwork skills, communication skills and resilience. TEXTILES CLUB During our time in Conwy we worked in groups to carry out our necessary Monday (week B) fieldwork. We also participated in surveying locals on topics of interest and Friday (week A such as flooding in their area and used specialist equipment to gather and B). Now data on the area’s river systems. We mainly visited two areas to conduct on Thursday our research, for flooding we did our investigation in Llanrwst, in the Conwy for Year 7 Valley, at the edge of the Snowdonia National Park in North Wales where we 12.15—1pm studied a river to deduce whether it was at risk of flooding. in A11

We went to Llanberis, a stunning town, centralised around community and old fashioned architecture, to do surveys to find out if the area is in need of rebranding.

From sketching beautiful views to measuring the water depth and velocity of the streams for 3 days, with the great weather and the cheerful moods there were some great memories made which we will never forget. While staying at the Conwy Centre we had an unexpected awakening at 3:20 am, where we were forced to exit the building in our pyjamas, which contributed to the many entertaining stories that the trip has resulted in. Overall we thoroughly enjoyed our trip to the “Welsh Wales” and thank our incredibly tolerant teachers for putting up with us for a full three days.

Autumn Term 2015 43 the basics, I put them into practice and did this for each day of work experience. Then I carried out some small jobs that needed doing, one of which was a very ‘cute’ and funny job; Smiling Students show that bottle feeding the calves. I had to fill Work Placements have been up the bottle with certain amounts of calcium chunks, milk and boiling water to make sure it was correct for the calf. Once the bottle was ready, Tim (the owner) and I went into the a great enclosures, which held the calves and started to feed each calf one bottle each. Personally, I found this very exciting, fun and entertaining as well as success! good for experience in handling young Year 11 students J.R. Johnson & Son Dairy Farm: livestock. I believe I will benefit from Bryn Heard 11Ba1. this experience very much as I have enjoyed a really For work experience, I went to J.R learnt key Dairy Farm skills that will help successful Work Johnson and sons Dairy Farm; the me in the future to come. Experience Week week was full of new, exciting, earlier this term and and learning experience Christleton Primary activities. The first thing School: Courtney the feedback from the that I could tell I had Chadwick 11L1 employers involved learnt was how to act and I enjoyed my time as it has been extremely behave around livestock. was interesting to see positive. Here’s what This skill sounds easy what methods teachers but if you do not do it use to educate younger some of our students correctly, things can go children. It was also thought about their wrong and you can end up interesting to see how placement weeks: - in serious danger. I learnt the curriculum has changed about the diet of the calves and other for children of that age; it has increased in difficulty and the students Whitby High School: Alexander livestock, this will help me in the future are expected to know much more, Haggart 11L1 and can give me good knowledge of far sooner. However, I also found it I really enjoyed my time helping as a animals. very difficult while I was there. This teacher and I learnt many things about When I got into the flow of work is because it is very difficult to teach being a teacher. I asked plenty of experience, I then learnt how to milk young children new things without questions to help my knowledge and a cow. This was very interesting, as I giving them the answer or confusing understanding in a school environment. had no idea how to do this before my them by using different methods to The highlight of my week was getting work experience; it was a big surprise those that they have already been to know the students there and the fact that the machines do most of the work. taught. Overall, I found the experience that they all said they wanted me back At first, I struggled, as there are certain helpful because of learning how to act the week after half term. techniques that must be used so as not to spook the cow. Once I had learnt in a new environment and how quickly you have to pick things up to do well.

Back Row: Georgia Ashworth; Bryn Heard; Romey Davies; Ewan Hearn; Jessica Dunning, and Vicky Tate

Front Row: Lauren Noden; Holly Davies; Jenny Wilkinson and Danielle Adams

44 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Ethan Davies Trust: floorings for everyone such as hard Sports Coaching: Danielle Adams 11K1 flooring, carpets, vinyl’s etc. My days Jack Bailey 11L1 For my work experience, I worked at started at 8 o’clock when I first arrived I did my work experience with Judith the ‘Ethan Davies Trust’ as a support at the shop and checked the bank to Gilmore, attending primary schools worker. The best moment was when establish what payments had been teaching sports to children. I found it I was able to interact with the client. I received, and what needed to be paid interesting as I really enjoy playing found that the job was very much as I out. As the week went on, I was sport. I have always loved sports expected it to be, and it was interesting, doing different jobs around and to experience work as so much goes into the job and so the shop. My experience involving sport was much has to be remembered correctly at Maltby’s was good as I really good, and from for the clients. learnt many new skills that the first day, I thoroughly I could be using in the enjoyed it. I especially Barrow Primary School: Georgia near future. The jobs I was enjoyed going back to Ashworth 11K1 given were answering the my old school to see all The school day starts at 8:45 am and telephones to customers, my old teachers. It was finishes either at 3:05 pm or at 3:15 pm helping the customers in the interesting meeting lots depending on whether it is infants or shop, writing up invoices and of new people and working with them. When I was working, I went with juniors as they finish at differenthelp to start with buttimes. was allowed to completepro-formers the task on my own afterand that. Once they taking were removed, stock checks. one of the workers at the garage and I worked on lapping valves into their seats. This took about 3 to 4 hours and I carried out other similar tasks during my placement. The working day was an extra one and I preferred the younger classesa half hours to longer the than a school day.I also During my had time at the garage, Itwo worked days on many types with of cars, for the fitters an adult who also worked for Judith; example vans, hatchbacks and estates, and one car, which I helped fix the exhaust on, was a racing spec Porsche 911. Overall, it was a good experience and I feel I have learnt new things and am more older ones as they are all adorableprepared for the future and going into the customer’s house and by working with an adult, I could learn Goonhilly Earth Station: Edward Jones 11Ba1 I spent my work experience week in Cornwall on the Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd site. I went there as I lovely to work with. They aresaw it all as a greatvery opportunity because fitting I actually see the myself doing a job new with engineering, flooring. physics, or other The key things from them to apply to my teaching. I sciences. Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station is a large telecommunications site located on Goonhilly Downs, near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England, UK. First thing on Monday morning, friendly and like to tell you awe hadlot the about safety briefing, and then readI learnt the tasks for the day,over started working, the and week researching soat we Maltby’s is found that using a loud voice to make could plan how to achieve what we needed to do by the end of the week. This consisted of learning what everything would mean when I carried out the morning rounds. Another employee and I carried out themselves especially storiesmorning in rounds, show checking to ensure thatto all always of the antennas were working speak properly. to a customer as you the student listen was important, as

and tell etc. The main skills I learnt would want to be treated yourself, and well as teaching the students sports

were general administration duties always double check your information that are interesting so that they enjoy and First Aid. I learnt that I work better when working on invoices and pro- themselves. By working with Judith with infants than I do juniors. formers, because if these aren’t and her team, I have an idea of what I

The best part of going to a right the business could get would like to do when I leave school. I primary school was going in to trouble. As I hope to would like to work for Judith as I really back to where I went to be taking this business over enjoyed my time there. I have now school and to see how when I am older this is a good volunteered at Guilden Sutton Primary its changed; it’s also nice start and insight to what I may School (my primary school) to help after help to start with but was allowed to complete the task on my own after that. Once they were removed, how the children look up one of the workersbe at doing the garage when and I In worked the on future. lapping valves into their seats.school This took on about a 3 to 4 Thursday teaching hockey. hours and I carried out other similar tasks during my placement. The working day was an extra one and to you as I was a lot older. a half hours longer than a school day. During my time at the garage, I worked on many types of cars, for example vans, hatchbacks and estates, and one car, which I helped fix the exhaust on, was a racing The hardest part was trying spec Porsche 911.Elton Overall, Primary it was aSchool: good experience and I feel I have learnt new thingsTwirl and of am Hay more Restaurant: prepared for the future Goonhilly Earth Station: Edward Jones 11Ba1 to explain to the children that I Holly Davies 11K1 Jenny Wilkinson 11L1 I spent my work experience week in Cornwall on the Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd site. I went there as I saw it as5 a great opportunity because I actually see myself doing a job with engineering, physics, or other was a teacher while at the school as sciences. I had Goonhilly to Satellite be in Earth the Station school is a large by telecommunications7:45 am site locatedDuring on Goonhilly my week, I learnt new skills Downs, near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England, UK. First thing on Monday morning, they saw me as one of them. Another we hadbut the the safety children briefing, and didn’t then read arrive the tasks at for the day,school started working, andin the researching hospitality so we industry. I learnt could plan how to achieve what we needed to do by the end of the week. This consisted of learning what thing that was interesting was to see everythinguntil would 8:30 mean am. when The I carried end out of the the morning school rounds. Another employeehow and I restaurants carried out work as a team, for morning rounds, checking to ensure that all of the antennas were working properly. what the childrens’ academic skills day was at 3:00 pm in the infants and example, some staff clear and set were like for their age; I was surprised 3:15 pm in the juniors. On Monday, tables ready for the next customers by how knowledgeable the children I was working in Reception in the whilst the rest of the staff serve food were for their age. The most helpful morning and Year 3 in the afternoon; to tables. In addition, I learnt that the thing was gaining a more realistic idea I enjoyed working with the Reception restaurant is open all day and serves of working life in general. My advice for more than the Year 3s. I think this is breakfast, lunch and dinner. The staff people when planning on where to do because it is more interactive was very kind and went out of their work experience is don’t leave it in Reception than it is in Year their way to show me what until last minute and make sure it’s got 3. When I was working work is like. I enjoyed my something to do with what you want in Reception I did jolly time and gained many new to do when you’re older, this way you phonics with them and skills. However, work in the can benefit from the placement and will the students learnt how hospitality industry has very enjoy the week ahead. to write and say O, G and long hours and is very tiring

once they had worked as you are on your feet all day.

Maltby’s of Chester: on letters I did words with Harry Maltby 11L1 them, they learnt Dog, The, Double Tree Chester: The company I was working with was Dad and Mum. The children also did Jessica Dunning 11K1 called ‘Maltby’s of Chester’ it is a well- Find, Use, Return (FUR). I worked in the Conference and Events sector with eleven different people known company based in the centre during the week including the (acting) of Chester. Maltby’s offers a range of 5

Autumn Term 2015 45 Events Manager, the Manager of Food activities with children aged between work with all the different animals that and Beverages and the Conferences 6 and 10 years old. They do many were at the rescue centre, whether I Supervisor. During the week, I carried different sports with children such as was cleaning them out, feeding them, out all front of house work, as this is hockey, football, tag rugby and multi or spending time with them to make what interested me the most. The main skills. them less nervous around people. I thing I learned from my experience in My favourite day was Tuesday because now have experience of building rabbit this sector is how much I prefer setting I went to Oldfield Primary School and hutches and walking dogs, being around up for events and conferences than I coached football and cleaning out cats, chickens, ferrets, do serving and being there throughout all afternoon. I coached birds, guinea pigs and rabbits. the actual event. On the first day, I did Year 5 first and started many more simple things as I was not the coaching with a Lloyds Bank: used to where everything was or my quick warm up to get Samuel Thomas 11K1 way around the hotel. This included the children active. This Through work experience I gathering cutlery for a large afternoon lasted for 5 minutes think that I have been given meal, putting together some condiments before I divided the a more realistic view of and then drinking glasses. children up into 4 teams what working life in general and then started the would be if I decided to go Hetty Nursery: small tournament. Two into banking. I found the job Lauren Noden 11Ba1 teams played on one pitch quite interesting but very much as I Throughout the week, I played with with the other two playing on the next had expected it would be. My employer help to start with but was allowedthe children to complete teaching the task them on my numeracy own after that. Once they werepitch. removed, I did the same session again described my overall performance one of the workers at theskills garage and and intellectual I worked on skills. lapping valves into The their week seats. This tookwith about the 3 to 4 Year 6s. After school, it was throughout the week as excellent hours and I carried out other similar tasks during my placement. The working day was an extra one and a half hours longer than was a school beneficial day. During as I mylearnt time at the garage, what I worked it is like on many typesFootball of cars, for Training so I started with a quick overall, and stated, “It has been a example vans, hatchbacks and estates, and one car, which I helped fix the exhaust on, was a racing spec Porsche 911. Overall,to it work was within a good a experience nursery and and I feel what I have learnt new the things andpassing am more and shooting drill, which lasted pleasure to have worked with Samuel prepared for the future Goonhilly Earth Station:everyday Edward Jones work 11Ba1 is like. Every day the 10 minutes. After this, I then organized in my branch this week as he has taken I spent my work experiencechildren week in would Cornwall spend on the time Goonhilly Earth with Station the Ltd site. I wentanother there as I tournament and let them play each task I have set for him in his stride”. saw it as a great opportunity because I actually see myself doing a job with engineering, physics, or other sciences. Goonhilly Satelliteteacher Earth Stationof the is nursery a large telecommunicationsand this sitewould located on Goonhillyfor the rest of the session. Downs, near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England, UK. First thing on Monday morning, we had the safety briefing,include and then singing read the and tasks phonics for the day, started skills. working, The and researchingOverall, so we I enjoyed my work experience NWD Architects: could plan how to achieve what we needed to do by the end of the week. This consisted of learning what everything would mean whenchildren I carried benefitted out the morning from rounds. Anotherthis employeebecause and I carriedas it out was fun coaching the children and Sophie Runciman 11L1 morning rounds, checking they to ensure could that understand all of the antennas what were working the properly.phonics I was active for the whole day. I learnt During the week, I visited a number of

for different objects were and what many things during my work experience projects the company was involved in

colours certain items were. My such as how to get along well with and then cooperated in creating designs

nursery placement helped me the children and I learnt some for one of their newer projects. I found with my Health coursework new activities to use if I coach the site visits interesting as they showed on assessing the dangers again. me different aspects of the architectural of not applying care values profession. At the end of the week, to your everyday work and Capricorn Animal Rescue: I created 3D models of the buildings what would happen if Romey Davies 11L1 using CAD and created my own design

certain guidelines were not I carried out my one-week for one of the new builds. I found the in place. work experience at Capricorn experience really interesting and useful Animal Rescue, because it has shown me what the SRFD Coaching: near Mold, Wales. I decided architectural profession is like. Owen Bennett 11L1 to go here because I knew it would be My work experience was with a beneficial to what I would like to do in The Range Medical Centre: Vicky Tate company called SRFD, which is a sport further education and as a career. 11K1 coaching company. Coaches who work I enjoyed my time at the rescue because When I first arrived, I was introduced to

for SRFD go into lots of different sports I was doing something different every the reception staff and the computer day I was there. I had the chance to system. It seemed very complicated, and I was thrown in at the deep end and out straight on reception. It was very daunting checking in my first patient but another receptionist named Joanne helped me and made it less scary. I

5 spent a while booking in patients; I made a few mistakes but Joanne was sympathetic and calmed me down and

Pictured: Owen Bennett, Harry Maltby, Alexander Haggart, and Jack Bailey

46 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School told me it was not my fault. Next, I KMA Chester Car repair and service Thank You moved on to answering the phone garage: Ewan Hearn 11Ba1 A big thank you to all as well. I felt it was worse than The garage was a nice place of the companies and having someone in front of you; the to work, as there was a relaxed organisations that assisted connection sometimes was not great atmosphere, which helped to keep and congratulations to so I struggled to hear the patient, me concentrated on the task. On all our Year 11 students! meaning I had to ask them to repeat the first day, I started work removing themselves. It was harder to deal the valves on a cylinder head. I had Thanks also to Karen Varley help to start with but was allowed to complete the task on my own after that. Once they were removed, with people who I could not see andone of the workers help at the garage to and start I worked with on lapping valves into but their seats. was This tookallowed about 3 to 4 to for her help in keeping hours and I carried out other similar tasks during my placement. The working day was an extra one and a half hours longer than a school day. During my time at the garage, I worked on many types of cars, for were being hard to handle. For theexample vans, hatchbackscomplete and estates, and the one car, task which I helped fix theon exhaust my on, own was a racing after spec Porsche 911. Overall, it was a good experience and I feel I have learnt new things and am more things running prepared for the future rest of the week, I switched betweenGoonhilly Earth Station:that. Edward Once Jones 11Ba1 they were removed, one I spent my work experience week in Cornwall on the Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd site. I went there as I so smoothly. saw it as a great opportunity because I actually see myself doing a job with engineering, physics, or other sciences. Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station is a large telecommunications site located on Goonhilly reception and the secretary’s office.Downs, near I Helstonof on thethe Lizard workers Peninsula in Cornwall, England,at the UK. First garage thing on Monday and morning, I we had the safety briefing, and then read the tasks for the day, started working, and researching so we could plan how to achieve what we needed to do by the end of the week. This consisted of learning what photocopied patient files and returnedeverything would meanworked when I carried outon the lapping morning rounds. Another employee valves and I carried into out their morning rounds, checking to ensure that all of the antennas were working properly. them to the filing cabinet they came seats. This took about 3 to 4 hours

Calling all out of to collect more and repeat the and I carried out other similar tasks cycle. Overall, I enjoyed my work during my placement. The working Year 10 Students….. experience but would not consider day was an extra one and a half hours

this job for my future. I learnt many longer than a school day. During my Work Experience week is new skills such as how to talk to the time at the garage, I worked on many just ten months away! customer in a way to make them feel types of cars, for example looked after, and how to cope in vans, hatchbacks and Monday 24th to Friday 28th stressful situations. The best estates, and one car, October 2016

moment of the whole week which I helped fix the was meeting everyone exhaust on, was a The week before October half term next and having such a warm racing spec Porsche year is Work Experience week; this means

911. Overall, it was that Year 11 students (our current Year 10) will welcome, which remained throughout the rest of the 5 a good experience be off-timetable for the week and be able week. and I feel I have learnt to get valuable experience of the world of new things and am more work and a possible future career. University of Law: prepared for the future Recent research has shown that in a highly William Mackenzie 11K1 competitive jobs market relevant work After learning about the size and Goonhilly Earth Station: experience can make a big difference to importance of the task of maintaining Edward Jones 11Ba1 students’ employability. Work Experience the building and its grounds, I asked I spent my work experience week also helps with future decision making if I could help the maintenance team in Cornwall on the Goonhilly Earth about careers; students can understand on site for the rest of the week, whilst Station Ltd site. I went there as I saw work likes and dislikes better, learn about watching a few lectures in the week. it as a great opportunity because an occupation and decide whether it is for On the third day, I sat in a lecture I actually see myself doing a job them. regarding the LLB course (Bachelor with engineering, physics, or other of Laws), an undergraduate scheme. sciences. Goonhilly Satellite Earth Students are encouraged to organise their own placements wherever possible; Mrs This was another interesting lecture, Station is a large telecommunications Varley can help with this, and further details which lasted 3 hours; it offered me site located on Goonhilly Downs, will be given to students next term. an insight as to what options I have near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula for the future. Throughout my period in Cornwall, England, UK. First thing In the meantime, students are encouraged of work experience, I believe that I on Monday morning, we had the help to start with but was allowed to complete the task on my own after that. Once they were removed, to make use of the ‘Search’ facility through one of the workers at the garage and I worked on lapping valves into their seats. This took about 3 to 4 hours and I carried out other similarsafety tasks during briefing, my placement. The working dayand was anthen extra one and read the have been given a more realistica half hours longerview than a school day. During my time at the garage, I worked on many types of cars, for U-Explore (www.u-xplore.com) to find all example vans, hatchbacks and estates, and one car, which I helped fix the exhaust on, was a racing spec Porsche 911. Overall, it was a good experience and I feel I have learnt new things and am more of what life is like in a work place,prepared for the future tasks for the day, started working, and about the Related Job Roles that different Goonhilly Earth Station: Edward Jones 11Ba1 I spent my work experience week in Cornwall on the Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd site. I went there as I and what it would be like if Isaw decided it as a great opportunity becauseresearching I actually see myself doing a job so with engineering,we could physics, or plan other how to interests and aspirations can lead to. sciences. Goonhilly Satellite Earth Station is a large telecommunications site located on Goonhilly Downs, near Helston on the Lizard Peninsula in Cornwall, England, UK. First thing on Monday morning, to take a career in Law. My we had the safety briefing, and then read the tasks for the day, startedachieve working, and what researching we so we needed could plan how to achieve what we needed to do by the end of the week. This consisted of learning what everything would mean when I carried out the morning rounds. Another employee and I carried out employer described my morning rounds, checking to ensure that all of the antennas were workingto properly. do by the end of the

performance throughout week. This consisted of Local Employers: the week as excellent learning what everything overall, and he stated, would mean when I Can You Help? If you are able to offer the “It has been a pleasure carried out the morning chance for a fifteen / sixteen- to work with Will this rounds. Another year old to have a week’s week and he has employee and I carried work experience with you, taken to every task out morning rounds, please let us know. Contact with enthusiasm and checking to ensure that all Karen Varley varleyk@ diligence”. of the antennas were working

christletonhigh.co.uk properly.

Autumn Term 2015 5 47 I am based here every Thursday and have been involved in activities such as guidance interviews, group work and talks with students.

This term I have already met individually with dozens of students from Year 9 upwards and discussed future pathways choices. I have met with lots of Sixth Formers, many of whom are seriously thinking about whether the university option is most appropriate for them, as there are now other ways of gaining degree-level qualifications without getting saddled with enormous student debts. Year 9 and Year 11 students have also been keen to get appointments to discuss the options choices that lie ahead.

There are many options available to young people after they leave Year 11 – to join the Sixth Form, do a college course or employment with recognised training.

At this time of year, the apprenticeship vacancies are starting to appear and I thought that it would be interesting to find where the predicted future jobs are likely to be, as this will help our pupils make their career decisions. This information News from is from the National Careers Service……. Sylvia Wood, Employment Growth Areas in Cheshire & Warrington our Pathway Cheshire and Warrington Local Economic Partnership is one of the strongest economies in England and its main challenge is to maintain and improve its economic performance. It Careers Advisor… has a strong economy with higher than average levels of manufacturing with particular strengths in the car industry, advanced manufacturing, and the chemicals and nuclear industries. There are strong economic links to nearby areas Hello Everyone! It’s Sylvia in Liverpool, Manchester, North Wales and West Midlands. Important skills in this area

Wood here again with another • Advanced engineering - Almost 30,000 people are employed in a range of advanced engineering activities including automotive production, consulting engineering, machinery manufacture and specialist engineering sack-full of news of relating products, and scientific research & development. For this sector to grow and prosper, it is vital that this sector to my role as the Pathway has access to skills that they need. • Energy and environment - A prominent nuclear industry will play a key role in de-commissioning activity over the Careers Advisor for coming years and possible new build in the longer term. This will involve companies such as Sellafield Ltd, National Nuclear Laboratory, AMEX Nuclear and Urenco leading the way in design engineering and research Christleton High School. and development for the industry. In order to grow and prosper, it is vital that this sector has access to the skills that it needs.

• Financial and professional services - More than 37,000 people are employed in financial services, legal and accounting services, management consultancy and head office activities. Employment within the sector has grown significantly in the past ten years and

48 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School the prospects for continued growth are strong. The sector requires access to skills for working in contact centres (communication and customer care) and higher level skills in the finance sector. Exciting

• Information and communications Geographical technology (ICT) - ICT is an Pathways Lie important sector for the sub region. It is a small sector with Ahead! 15,000 employees but is one of the fastest growing sectors in the Over a third of last ten years. The sector is expected to continue to create last year’s 24 A demand for higher level skills, especially in Science Technology Level Geography Engineering and Maths related students are subjects. now studying • Life sciences and chemicals - A nationally important concentration Geography for life sciences is based in east Cheshire. Although AstraZeneca at university… plan to move some of its As we approach the end of 2015, nine workforce out of the area over of our A Level Geography students from last year’s Upper Sixth have just finished the next few years it is anticipated their first term studying their favourite that the Park becomes home to subject at university. replacement organisations. A diverse chemical sector employs Last year’s Geographers did particularly around 8,000 people with leading well in their A Level exams, with three companies. Petrochemicals have of them gaining the highly-prized top A* been refined for many years with grade at A Level. Our A* Geographers: the Stanlow Refinery in Ellesmere Port. A broad range of skills will be • Mia Connolly: Geography and `required for this diverse sector’. Spanish: University of Leeds • Harry Killoran: Geography: University of Leeds Which are the main areas of growth? • Rebecca Nibbs: Geography (Science): University of Exeter In addition to the areas of growth shown above, the visitor economy, The other half-dozen Uni-Geographers: retail, and health & social care are also high employment sectors. • Cameron Black: Human Geography: Leeds Metropolitan University • Rosie Chatfield: Geography: Making University of Leeds • Oliver Collier-Timpson: Human Geography: University of Lancaster Appointments • David Entwistle: Physical Geography: University of Swansea Any student who wishes to meet • Tomas Joesbury: Geography with me for help, support, advice or (Science): University of Liverpool guidance related to careers and future • Emily-Ann Westoby: Geography: pathways can make an appointment University of Swansea to see me through Mr Francis or Mrs Varley. I will also be available at This impressive total is taken into most Parents’ Evenings at school and double-figures by two 2014 students appointments to meet me can be who have headed off to study arranged for this as well. I can also be Geography at university after taking a Gap Year: contacted directly at sylviawood@live. co.uk • Emma Heath: Geography: University of Sheffield I look forward to getting to know even • Kieran Herron: Human Geography: more of you over the months ahead. University of Keele Congratulations to all our Sylvia Wood former Geographers and Pathway Careers Advisor Good Luck for the Future! Autumn Term 2015 49 With over fifty representatives from a vast array of different occupations on hand to give individual advice and an insight into what the job involves, our fourth annual Careers Information Evening was a great success.

There was a great turnout of students from Years 9, 10, 11, and both lower and upper Sixth Formers, together with interested parents, which meant a busy night for all, and plenty of food for thought.

As part of our on-going commitment to raising students’ aspirations and encouraging them to think about future pathways, the evening aimed to inspire students to find out more about the career paths available and to meet people from a variety of different occupations.

Sylvia Wood, our Pathway Careers Advisor was also on hand, and was able to help with a wide range of general and specific enquiries.

Feedback from students, parents, governors, and exhibitors was unanimously positive, and many of our students left with a real sense of purpose and direction about where their futures might lie.

Many thanks to Mrs Varley and Mrs Charlton for all their help with organising the event, and particularly to all of the following representatives without whom the evening could not have happened: -

Are YOU On The Ball About Your Future...? Careers Information Evening is Just the Job!

• Human Resources, Airbus - HR/Recruitment - Nicola Carter • Careers Advisor - Sylvia Wood • The Army - Lt Busby Williams & Cpl Jo Jones • The Royal Navy - Liverpool - COP Jayne Stroh • CSI - Police - Caroline Hunt • Baker Tilley - Accountants - Adam Goldthorpe & Ben Stenhouse • Aaron & Partners LLP - Solicitors - Bryony Cook • Thinkdewinter: Marketing & PR - Hems de Winter • Architect - Mark Powell • IT Consultant - Luke Packer • Software Engineering, IT operations - David Ross • Aviagen Turkeys Limited - Clay Burrows, Yasmin Bailey & Sam Jones • Chester Chronicle - Journalism - Dave Powell • Business/Administration - Barbara Lovering • Urenco - Business/Technical Careers - Peter Bradley • Jigsaw Curzon House Day Nursery - Claire Taylor & Team • Axbury Events Ltd - Mike Axon • Town Planner - Architecture - Andrew Pannell • STEM - Science Engineering Careers - Alfie Neild • Minerva Arts/ Minerva Youth Theatre - Steph Brocken • Manor Court Veterinary Centre - Richard Nolan & Tom • Macdonald Portal Golf and Spa Hotel - Steph Spain • Capenhurst Nuclear Services Limited (CNS) - Natalia Bennett & Team • Apprenticeships - Total People Ltd - Kathryn Taylor & Team • Apprenticeships: TTE - Malcolm Williams • Apprenticeships: Vauxhall Motors UK - Ellie McGee & Team • Apprenticeships: MPLOY Youth - Brian Lee • University Sports Degrees - Claire Fairhurst • David Campbell Soccer School - Courtney McGarrigle • LLS Sports Coaching Company - Mike Crockford • Reaseheath College - Matthew Williams • West Cheshire College - Mandy Hickinbottom & Team • The University of Law - Jane Mackenzie • Harper Adams University - Alice Morris • High School Teacher of PE - Emma Jones • Doctor - Dr Rebecca Searle • Specialist Nursing - Sarah Ellison • Clinical Psychologist - Dr Nadine Eisenburg • Consultant Clinical Psychologist - Dr Vicky Eames • Pharmacist - Dr Diane Hornsby • Radiographer - Andrea Herbert • Occupational Therapy - Helen Carey • Social Worker - Judith Blair & Michaela Adams

50 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School (left) The Winning Team: BCD Development: Daniel Walker, Cameron Davies, Jack Carey and Billy Cossins (below left) Emma Duthie from Mountain Designs (below middle) The Judging Panel: Urban Plan Professionals; James Wilson, Janet Tate-Smith, Andrew Pannell, Melanie Lamb, and Adam Davies (below right) Team Concept in Action: Ben Moody and Guy Frickel

Urban Land Institute Workshop Event facilitators and industry experts were Team Name: Team Concept Students in Year on hand to help students understand Team Members: Ben Moody; the many complex factors, often in Guy Frickel 12 and 13 had tension with one another, which shaped their creative and financial response to “Despite having a last-minute reduction the opportunity the tender brief. in our team-membership we were really to take part in a pleased with how our presentation The event culminated with each of went. It was the lack of open space in five-hour Urban the four student teams giving a formal our final proposals that went against us, presentation to a panel of five industry even though we were able to propose a Plan Workshop professionals. After a closely fought high level of profit” contest the winning team was declared Event, which as BCD Development, who go on to Above and Beyond Solutions: Vicki Sixth Formenjoy a special Students prize-visit to a Getsite of a TasteSweeney, Angharad of Town Rees-Hughes, Planning took place over great architectural interest in London… Daniel Hamp, Tom Watkins two consecutive further details to follow! “Overall, the opportunity has been an Here’s what our students thought of the insight into how such projects work Wednesday experience: - and the processes involved. Our group thoroughly enjoyed the workshop and afternoons earlier Mountain Designs: Charlie Griffiths, have gained knowledge on how the Sam Moore, Emma Duthie, Erin industry works. It has given us valuable this term. Salisbury experience that we can then use to further decide our career choice.” This event was a great opportunity “We really enjoyed our time working in for anyone interested in a future the urban project; it went quite quickly BCD Development: Daniel Walker, career in Architecture, Planning, and the end result was definitely Cameron Davies, Jack Carey and Billy Finance, Marketing, or Environmental worth all of our time. We learned to Cossins Management, as well as providing communicate and work in a team, and useful material for students of the project itself was challenging but “We took part in Urban Plan which Geography (e.g. Rebranding Urban fun.” was a property development project Areas) and Business Studies (e.g. where we were given an area of a town, Budgeting, Costs and Investment Ellham, which we had to redevelop Decisions). based on council and residents requirements. We all thoroughly Students were able to work as enjoyed this process and eventually members of a property development came out as WINNERS! We are all very company to create and present a interested in property development and tender proposal for redeveloping a we could all see it as being a career city centre site. path for the future.” A team of

Urban Land Institute WorkshopAutumn Term Event 2015 51 Students in Year 12 and 13 had the opportunity to take part in a five-­hour Urban Plan Workshop Event, which took place over two consecutive Wednesday afternoons earlier this term. This event was a great opportunity for anyone interested in a future career in Architecture, Planning, Finance, Marketing, or Environmental Management, as well as providing useful material for students of Geography (e.g. Rebranding Urban Areas) and Business Studies (e.g. Budgeting, Costs and Investment Decisions). Students were able to work as members of a property development company to create and present a tender proposal for redeveloping a city centre site. A team of facilitators and industry experts were on hand to help students understand the many complex factors, often in tension with one another, which shaped their creative and financial response to the tender brief. The event culminated with each of the four student teams giving a formal presentation to a panel of five industry professionals. After a closely fought contest the winning team was declared as BCD Development, who go on to enjoy a special prize-­visit to a site of great architectural interest in London…further details to follow! Here’s what our students thought of the experience: -­

World Food Day Bake - Off! Sixth Form Travel & Tourism Students develop Event Management Employability Skills on World Food Day

During Year 13 Travel and Tourism students study Event Management and therefore need to act as a team, putting their own unique ideas together in order to create an event. Throughout the process, students must demonstrate determination, teamwork, communication and organisation skills to ensure the event runs smoothly and aims are met.

At the beginning of the academic year, each student created their own event and prepared a presentation to deliver to the rest of the group, including an action plan, a production schedule, itinerary, a vision board (initial idea), aims and objectives.

The event had to be feasible, make a profit, raise awareness and allow participants involved to have fun and enjoy the day. All aims were met as we raised funds within the Sixth Form by having a pyjama day, all students paying a £1 donation. We collected the money at the end of our assembly, and collecting a staggering £171.00, which covered all costs including our ingredients for the cakes and our food for the activities. We also had sufficient money to donate to both our chosen charity, Food for the Poor (FFTP) and our Sixth Form charity, Teenage Cancer Research.

Once we decided on the global Bake a Cake Day, we emailed Mr Harker about the possibility of doing an event with a year group at Christleton Primary School. We created our business plan, and agreed our aims and desired outcomes for the event. Our aims were to promote Travel and Tourism as a subject, as well as raise money from our pyjama day for the charity, Food for the Poor.

We each had our own individual role in organising the event for the children. Teamwork is incredibly important when planning an event and we took part in a team building exercise given to us by Mr Francis, which helped us identify the roles best suited to us. We built our itinerary making sure that we carefully planned the event to allow sufficient time to make the cakes, clean up, let the cakes cool before decorating, and for the children to taste the food.

At the start of the day, Owen Mackin and Joe Wells went to our school gates to greet the children from Christleton Primary School. Our team leader, Chelsea Hallal, delivered a presentation to let the children know what they would be doing whilst at the High School.

52 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School World Food Day Bake - Off! Sixth Form Travel & Tourism Students develop Event Management Employability Skills on World Food Day

Once in the cooking room, we demonstrated each stage of the cake making process. When the children had finished spooning their mixture into their cupcake cases, their ‘adult helper’ put the trays of cakes in the oven.

As their cakes were in the oven, Alex Robinson and Georgia Barlow delivered another presentation, whilst Owen Mackin and Tegan Kenton served the food. The remaining team members cleaned the cooking room and made ready for the children to decorate their cakes.

The messiest process of the day was decorating the cakes. We made butter icing with the children, added food colouring, which managed to get on at least one item of clothing of everybody present. It was near impossible to put the icing in the bags and pipe it onto the cakes. A simple task for most, but when you are trying to do it with four different children all wanting as much icing on their cake as is humanly possible, things start to get messy.

At one point there was more icing coming from the top of the piping bag than onto the cakes.

Continues overleaf...

Autumn Term 2015 53 After icing, the children added their toppings, which consisted of Designed and printed by marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate buttons and other such decorations. It seemed they wanted to make the biggest toppings possible, failing to remember that they had to fit their cakes into cake tins to take home.

As the children left with their cake tins, we handed them questionnaires to complete and give feedback on their day, so we could establish whether they had enjoyed Creative their time at our school.

Overall, we were happy with how the event fell into place. The team stuck closely to the planned itinerary, for example, Joe and Graphic Owen were at the gates at 12:10 pm ready and waiting for the children to arrive.

The aims of the Bake a Cake Day was to give the children a fun day whilst also educating them about Travel and Tourism Design as a subject and helping them understand what world food day is. We were able to raise their awareness of and donate to the charity, Food for the Poor. • Print

Many thanks to everyone who helped on • Web Design the day and in particular Mrs Kelly and Mrs Williams. We would also like to thank the Christleton Primary School teachers and • Promotions students for being so enthusiastic and well behaved.

Georgia Barlow, Hollie Carter, Chelsea Hallal, Tiegan Kenton, Owen Mackin, Cheshire’s Creative Alex Robinson & Joseph Wells. Year 13 Travel & Tourism Students Social Enterprise

Part of the Winsford based

charity The NeuroMuscular

Centre, all profits go

towards supporting

our vital work.

Contact Alison Evans

01606 863464

[email protected]

nmcentre.com

54 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School CookCook CupCup 20152015

On a cold, bitter, bleak, frosty afternoon, magnitude of performance they had in In memory of Tristan Cook, the the once mighty Year 13 Football team the first half, just missing that final touch met the up and coming Year 12 side at that would put the ball over the Lower- game was played in good spirits the 4G arena for the Cook Cup. Sixth goal line. with both teams showing a great Managed by the duo of Ben Moody More shots cannoned at the Lower- and Dave Lindsay, the Upper-Sixth Sixth goal. To no avail. 5 minutes to go level of respect for themselves, came into the match with immense and the game fell apart for the older, far confidence, despite the lack of training unluckier, better footballing side. Two the opposition, and the referee. sessions that their Year 12 counterparts goals became three, three became four had managed to fit into their routine. and four ultimately became five, the Good luck to Year 12 next year. The game of all games began after a whistle blew. 5-0! The game finished team talk for both sides by Mr ‘Titch’ 5-0. How? We still have no idea to this McIntyre encouraging a clean, fair day. game. Dan ‘Utility Player’ Hamp, The bout then began between these Matt ‘Midfield Enforcer’ Trafford two footballing outfits, with the greatest & Ben ‘Manager’ Moody. of rivalries. The Upper-Sixth (as is traditional) kicked off towards the (Year 13 – obviously!) ‘English Department End’ and started the contest with encouraging intensity. Efforts from the stronger, more athletic, better-prepared older side cannoned at the Lower-Sixth goal with little resistance from the opposing defence apart from the goalkeeper.

Surely, the Upper-Sixth would score first. No. Sometimes extreme dominance doesn’t always pay off. One goal quickly became two for the fortunate younger opposition and they trotted off at half-time with what can only be said as a fluky 2-0 lead. The second-half then commenced with Upper-Sixth showing the same high

Autumn Term 2015 55 Life in the Making the thth Transition from 66 GCSE to Sixth Form formform The transition from Year 11 and GCSEs to A level study in the Sixth Form is one that we try to help students negotiate as smoothly as possible. The step-up in the pace, depth and challenge Year 12 in learning; the necessity to be able to learn and work more independently; Taster Day the ability to manage and organise On a sunny day in late June 2015, the prospective both work materials and study Year 12 students were invited to sample a day as a time coupled with the increased Sixth Form student. After an introductory session in the Hall, each student attended lessons in their chosen distractions and pressures from subjects, had a session on Study Skills for Sixth Formers part time paid employment or social and experienced the freedoms of the Study Period. activities. These are all factors that They were also given subject related Summer projects students manage on their journey to to prepare them for their A level studies. adulthood. “I found the taster day gave me a really good idea of what my subjects would be like.” We manage the process through a taster day in June 2015, a teambuilding induction Billy Walsh day at Chester University and ongoing information, advice, support and guidance during I came to Year 11 and throughout the Sixth Form. Making the transition Christleton from another from another school presents its own challenge for students school where I was considered but also provides opportunities for a fresh start or to try new a badly behaved student. I have come with a new state of mind and subjects: nearly 25% of Year 12 students did not take their I wanted a fresh start. The school has GCSEs at Christleton. welcomed me very well and I enjoy going to Sixth Form here. It’s a big difference Freedom from my previous school: the teachers to go to the offer great help with your work and shop at lunchtime the students have been very is great! And teachers welcoming to newcomers. I am treat you differently Sixth Form life very grateful for this. because everyone in is much more relaxed but much more stressful Will Stokes Sixth the class really wants at the same time. The study Form is more to be there. periods at first feel like an hour You need independent than Anon to do nothing but that soon to be way more other years; it is a stops when you realise how prepared and change in the way much work you need to do organised for everything you work. compared to at GCSE. than you are now to go Matthew Josh Poyner to the Sixth Form! Goodwin Tom Mills & Joe Clark 56 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School One of the first things we did was This activity definitely brought us Year 12 a relay race to make us aware closer to our friends… even on a of the sheer number of courses literal level! available at Chester University. In Induction fact our team won! After a quick Lastly, which personally was the break we saw some of the campus, best part of the day, we watched a Day @ as we moved to the other side drama performance aimed at young for a student finance session. adults of our age, who are not sure Chester This was a simpler and more fun about their future. It was mainly to way of representing how student persuade us to choose university finance works. We had to handle as our pathway for the future and to University our money, manage our time and encourage students that university As part of getting to know and complete projects along with isn’t as scary as it seems. In fact, making friends with the new people working. Although it was not too it has many positive aspects and that joined our Sixth Form, the realistic, it did show students that is an opportunity to meet many whole of Year 12 went to Chester when going to university you don’t new people, try new things along University for a Teambuilding day. have to worry about money issues with leaving home, socialising, and The main focus of the day was not because of the many student loans becoming an independent person just to get to know people, but to and bursaries available to us. ready for life. make us aware of university and how useful it is for your future. After a quick lunch, we attended a Overall, the day was enjoyable, It was also to change negative fun session of team building, which it gave me a better insight into perceptions on higher education, included building the highest tower university life, and how going there about financial matters and the out of paper straws, moving peas could make a real difference to matter of applying and getting in. with chopsticks, and rearranging your life! ourselves in height, age, or alphabetical order on one single line, which we couldn’t step out of. Dominika Sadczuk

Christleton gave me a warm welcome! Everyone was very friendly and all the teachers made sure I was settling in. Christleton was my first choice by a long way because of its amazing results, and my first experiences on the open evening and the taster day. I think Christleton is like a big community that works extremely well to welcome and accept new people. Angharad Rees-Hughes

Since being at Christleton I’ve found it really easy to make new friends as everyone was very welcoming. I like how the teachers support you yet give you the freedom to make your own decisions. I enjoy how the I prefer students get treated like adults A-levels to GCSEs but are still disciplined. and I like the subjects I Imogen Szerdy picked. The teachers and Autumn Term 2015 facilities are good and the 57 students are friendly. Tom Reynoldson LukeLuke WrWr ight’s Poetry Party!Party!

Luke’s poems are outrageously funny “Luke began with a short performance and written to be performed live. The A of his poems ‘The Toll’ and ‘The Ballad Level English students had the pleasure of Fat Josh’, amongst others,” said Joe of watching Luke perform an hour long Bramall who took photographs during set in the school Lecture Theatre: Luke’s visit. “Then students were given “I was really surprised by Luke’s the task of writing a poem that was performance,” said Holly Astle. “I was completely alliteration and Luke helped not alone in thinking that watching us by performing a poem he had written someone read poems was going to in this style. We came up with some On Thursday, 15th drag a little but it was nothing like I ridiculous poems and it was a lot harder expected. There were tears of laughter than I thought it would be. Our second October 2015, Christleton and a real lively vibe throughout the task was to write our own versions of High School received a Lecture Theatre. Luke’s poems were not ‘Are You the Business’ by John Cooper only relevant and deep but absolutely Clarke. This was my favourite part of the special visit from Luke hilarious. For me, and many of my class, workshop.” Luke reinvented the stereotype for Wright, a performance poetry and I have since been obsessed Luke, who does numerous school with his poetry. My favourite was poet from Essex with visits across the country, credited the ‘Houses that used to be Boozers’, I even students involved in the workshop for influences including bought his book!” their creativity. He even described the John Cooper Clarke. A few weeks prior to Luke’s visit Miss Christleton workshop members as “the Luke was in town to Cowley and Miss Evans hosted a poetry best group of students I’ve worked with competition. Students had to write a all year”. perform at the Chester poem on the theme of ‘Light’ as this Literature Festival this was the theme for National Poetry Day Well done to all involved! 2015. The top 20 students were invited year, amongst many other to attend Luke’s poetry workshop in the Cara Evans, Holly Astle & Joe Bramall festivals and gigs. afternoon. 58 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School LukeLuke WrWr ight’s Poetry Party!Party!

Before the afternoon poetry workshop at Christleton High School, Luke Wright sat down to record a podcast interview with radio by games personality Joe Hollywood for and other Wirral Radio. hobbies. What would you say to Joe: This morning you took an hour young people today to help them class with a group of Sixth Formers, discover and like poetry? roughly aged 16 -18 years old. Explain Luke: I think saying you don’t like what you were doing with them and poetry is like saying you don’t like what do you normally do as a poet? music. Poetry is massive; chances are that turned Luke: This morning I gave a you haven’t come across the right poet. into a career was the performance of my poetry to a Sixth For me, poetry in an English lesson – it Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Form group, I don’t tend to work with was alright. But it was a school thing. It That made a big difference Sixth Formers, it tends to be Year 10 wasn’t until I discovered poets like John because then you get a chance to have and 11 students who I perform to – this Cooper Clarke and Martin Newell when your work critically reviewed and loads helps the students understand a bit I was 16…they were writing poems that of programmers from other venues more about poetry before they sit their meant something to me, poems about and countries go to them and check exams. A small part of what I do, I being beaten up outside a chippy on a stuff out – and if you go up there with perform my poems to others as well as Friday night, millions miles away from a good show and get good reviews, running creative writing workshops to the stuff I was studying at school. get people interested it’s a good start. try and enthuse people about poetry. You can then start getting paid for your I spend most of my days writing new They just made sense to me – they work. material too! were funny. That’s why I stressed you’ve got to find the right poems for Joe: Last question Luke, where can we Joe: What is your style/genre of poetry you. There are loads of spoken words find some of your content? then? being written by really interesting Luke: I’ve got lots of stuff online, go to Luke: My poetry tends to be humorous. young writers like Hollie McNish, Kate www.lukewright.co.uk – there’s loads of Not everything though, I like to show Tempest. You know, young people poems and stuff there! range in my poetry so you can make writing about issues and topics that people laugh and make people cry! I are interesting to young people, so You can listen to this interview, also tell a lot of stories in my work, not I’d get on YouTube and have a look. I Saturday 19th December, on forgetting constructive stuff too! Writing mean you don’t have to like poetry, just 92.1FM- DAB DIGITAL RADIO- about characters etc. I don’t actually wait until it comes along and you see ONLINE (www.wirralradio.co.uk) have any confessions to tell myself. something you like. or the Wirral Radio App

Joe: What inspires you to write these Joe: How did you turn poetry into poems? a career and how did you start to Luke: We all experience inspiration, publish all your content? every day. Artists take that experience Luke: Publishing came much much later and turn it into content, in my case it is for me, it was about taking my words poems. on stage and performing. I started Follow us on Twitter: doing open mic nights and then people @WirralRadio921 Joe: For 14 – 16 year olds across the started to ask me to do sets, and it just #WeAreWirral UK at the minute, poetry is overtaken built from there. The main thing I did @JosefHollywood

Autumn Term 2015 59 Year 12 and 13 Creative art students were all Conway given the opportunity to spend a weekend at the Conway Centre in Anglesey to study art. Eight other schools and colleges from across Cheshire also attended and so we were working with students that we had never met before. Artists and teachers led the workshops and we could decide which we would like to do. Architectural two- point perspective drawing, expressive painting, collagraph printing and mark-making were some of the workshops on offer.

Although tiring, we all had a fantastic time and came away inspired with a whole mini project that we can enter as part of our A Level as well as learning skills that we can incorporate into our practice as art students.

60 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School This is what we “The skills I learnt this thought of it: weekend are skills that I can’t wait to “I had a really good pursue in the future. time at Conway, what The artists were so made it better was how enthusiastic, inspiring the artists we worked and really helped with let us do art work my understanding at our own pace so of perspective and there was no pressure, architecture.” so we could just relax Jamilla Spauls and enjoy it. I learnt so many new skills that I “I’m really glad that I will definitely be using went on the Conway back in school! I’m glad Art Trip. It was really I pushed myself to do interesting and useful to work I never thought I work with new students, would like. 10/10!” Georgina Rimmer teachers, techniques and materials. I also “My favourite thing liked working with about this weekend people who are older was being taught than me because I felt new skills by different that this really pushed artists as it adds a me to produce more new depth to art that challenging work. The I haven’t experienced architectural style before. I will use these perspective drawings on techniques throughout a stained background my current project and with tints of colour I know that what I have which we created were learnt and experienced something I have been will help me greatly in wanting to learn for a the future” while.” Becky Allen Polly Bowerman

“One of the many “Having been to things that I loved Conway before for about this weekend the GCSE Art Trip, I was the amount of new had some knowledge techniques I learnt that of what was going to I will continue to use happen this weekend; throughout my life as an however, it was artist. Being able to push completely different this myself out of my comfort time. I was given the zone, I felt really helped freedom to work in my me this weekend!” own style rather than Hannah Goodwin being told what to do, “The artists were really but at the same time I great and allowed was pushed out of my you to go at your own comfort zone due to pace and helped being taught by an artist before, during and after who had a completely working. We learnt new different artistic style to techniques that I will me. Yet again I learnt be able to use again. I new techniques that I have never appreciated will apply to my work architecture more than I back at school. Conway do now!” has done it again!” Hannah Whitlock Harriet Keogh

Autumn Term 2015 61 the activity is called Zorb “Football”, we never saw a football come out! The students had a great time and I think next year we will just call it “Zorb”! Week! During the first two days, the students were subject to a series ies of “team-building”activities, which encouraged all to work vit s Week! together and get to know each other. Don’t forget, this was ti itie one of their first times in school together – so this was not ctiv easy! r AAc One of the challenges was the “Spider’s Web”. In teams, er students had to work out a way to get all of their team me through the web without touching it (and disturbing mm the huge spider, which is never a good idea!). At first, m every team failed and the spider got them. But with uu careful thinking and communication, each team S developed their own strategy to succeed. The S superstar in this event was Amber gg Bowerman. She stood to the n front of her team and iin without hesitation rr led and told uu d them what d to do – a future leader we have there! n n (By the way, for those who are worried – there is not really uu a spider!). ss Other challenges included the Amazon Desert Challenge, Ski Challenge, and e the Ball and the Gutter Challenge. Once again, students were put in h difficult situations and had to find a way to work together and solve t the challenge. As a group, they showed excellent skills to work n out each scenario and in the i process got to know each other really well. nn Mr Hesketh’s favourite activity was Den Building. u In teams, the students had u to make a shelter out of FF materials given to them (string, tape, plastic sheets and sticks), During which would defend the summer against wet weather. holidays, while most Now as the weather of you were relaxing, was warm and enjoying the break and good sunny, the staff weather, 50 of our new Year 7 decided to use students were in school for a whole very strong week starting on Monday, 27th June water guns to 2015, taking part in the Summer Activities check if the Week. Under the supervision of Mr Horrocks, dens were Miss Cross and Mr Hesketh, our new students were waterproof. part of the new Summer Activities Week, which exposed everyone to new activities and challenges.

Each activity tested and developed different skills and required teamwork, collaboration and resilience. At the start of each day, we had 50 energetic young people and at home time, there were some very tired, weary, but happy students going home for some well-earned rest!

One of the activities was a 70 feet long assault course bouncy castle. Students were able to race against each other and (with the staff being Physical Education teachers) times were kept! There were some excellent races, with some skulduggery on the climbing walls with students pulling each other down. But the referee (Miss Cross) “did not see” this! The most acrobatic jumps on the near vertical slide came from Sarah Hooper and Felix McLaughlin, with the best times recorded by Max Grace and Eve Tingey.

Zorb Football was one of the most popular activities with our students. Each person had the opportunity to roll, jump, and bounce around in a big ball. On several occasions some students were upside down and couldn’t get back up, which made Mr Hesketh giggle quite a lot! This activity gave students the opportunity to run at each other full speed and not get hurt…so you can imagine what was happening most of the time. Although

62 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School tivittiieess WWeeeekk!! c ivi Teams Act were r A given e 3 pieces rEach team had 30 minutes to build their den e of paper, a m and get in…during this time the staff were m loading their water guns and looking for signs metre of string, m sellotape and an m of weakness! u egg. The egg was u to be dropped out S Some of the dens were well built and S impenetrable at first...until Mr Hesketh of the Maths window (very high) and the g decided that was no fun, and lifted up the g object was to keep the n dens to ensure everyone got soaked! iin egg intact. Teams worked rr Once everyone’s den had been tested furiously hard to give their (and everyone was wet), an unofficial egg the best possible chance u – including Mr Hesketh and u water fight broke out where the students had their Miss Cross who spent a long time d perfecting their egg-saving device. d revenge and drenched all the staff! nn A popular activity during the week Many teams succeeded and many did was Manhunt. To start with all not (including Mr Hesketh and Miss Cross) uu students used camouflage paint to – but all enjoyed the activity. ss paint their faces. Rambo himself would have been impressed With the leftover eggs, students paired up and with some of the painting skills! threw the eggs to each other (outside, not in the e Then the group was split into Maths room Mrs Pitchford!). The idea was to see teams. Teams were then how far you can throw and catch the egg before it h required to hide in the school breaks. Tanya Norwood was particularly good at this! In grounds…this was the peak the last egg challenge, Mr Horrocks offered himself as a t of summer and the trees target – knowing that with a large distance, no one would and vegetation were in full hit him with an egg. Unfortunately for him, he did not realise bloom, which made some what a good aim the new Year 7s are and went home covered n in egg! i people very hard to find! The hunters had The week closed off with Circus Skills, with an expert coming in to find all of the other n team. Archie Pytches to show our students how to perform some skills. There was the n tightrope, plate spinning, unicycle and many more activities. and Kieran Hooper demonstrated great Everyone tried everything, had a fantastic time, and it was a u great way to finish the week. u hiding skills with F Ambre Richards F There were plenty more activities during the week including and Morgan Reay proving several sports and making a chair out of balloons. The students to be the best thoroughly enjoyed each day, so much so that Shae Woodard- hunters. Lord delayed his holiday for three days to enjoy the whole week – he was only supposed to come for two days! One activity, which The week was a great success – our new students really got made many new friends, learnt about the school, everyone developed relationships with staff, and thinking, most importantly had an amazing time! was the Egg We will be running another week for Drop. our new Year 7 students (current Year 6) next summer and also, based on the feedback and success of last summer’s activity week, we will be running a week for the Year 7s to come back and have some more fun.

Keep your eyes peeled for details!

Autumn Term 2015 63 Art AlfrescoAfter school on a Wednesday, all of the Art Hot Scholars came together to put up some artwork in the herb gardens. The artwork had previously been created by a mixture of artists from Years 7 to 10.

We used many different objects from the Art department in order to create banners on bamboo. First, we decided on the colour scheme of blue and purple, and then we all created our own squares; the result was interesting mixed media pieces, which were brought together to create a long banner.

We worked with different material such as printed sea shells onto calico, painted bottle tops, buttons, hessian, tissue paper and we sowed into the pieces too. The artwork is now spread all around the herb gardens and looks great. It was great to take part in both creating and installing the art.

Creating this artwork taught me lots of new artistic techniques.

Jess Jones 64 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School SportsSports SectionSection

Start your engines... Alex Enston (9L1) has had a dream start to his motor racing career. Although too young to race in the Junior Rotax series until February 2016, he is already within 0.03 of a second off the lap record set in 2009 for this category at the Hooton Park Circuit, Ellesmere Port.

This summer Alex spent a week testing at the prestigious Genk racetrack in Belgium. Formula One stars Jenson Button and Max Verstappen have both raced karts at this circuit.

As soon as Alex is 14, he has been invited to test-drive a Jedi single seater racing car at Brands Hatch. These cars are capable of speeds in excess of 150 mph and can reach 0-60 mph in 3 seconds. Autumn Term 2015 65 SchoolSchool RugbyRugby ReviewReview

It has been a huge start to the season so far with over 20 fixtures being completed between Years 7 to Sixth Form.

The Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 teams and fought their way back to 12 -12 players who made the Cheshire competed in the Tarporley Festival; but in the final five minutes, loss West squad, Jac Goodall, Tom special mention must go to the Year of concentration allowed Caldy to Roebuck, and Jason Taylor and our 7s who were undefeated and show score two tries to seal the match. Year 9, Dylan Bevan-Jones, who real potential. They could match have all been training for a few the success of the Year 10 team However, there were clear signs months and will be involved in the who have dominated District Rugby they were starting to panic as Cheshire Tri tournament against since they were in Year 7. Christleton dominated most of the Central Cheshire and Cheshire second half. Tom Roebuck was the East. Good Luck! clear Man of the Match, who led his team well and showed excellent Well done to all the teams and commitment and determination players that have represented the throughout the game. school this season, keep up the good work! The Sixth Form team played Reaseheath College in their first Finally, a huge thank you must go to game; Christleton dominated Matt Liversage and Alex Coker who the first half with 4 tries and 1 have been coaching the younger conversion, Matt Trafford providing age groups, the students are 3 of them, and played exceptionally working hard and performing well. well. In the second half it was Reaseheath who dominated but Mr Barton In other matches and competitions, the Christleton defence were solid the Years 9 and 8 teams and only allowed the opposition unfortunately failed to progress into to score once. Matt Liversage round 3 in the Cheshire Vase, the was fantastic in both attack and Year 9s narrowly losing by 4 points defence, enough to to The Grange. gain him Man of the Match. The Year 10 team were the first ever Rugby team to be entered Finally, well into the Natwest National Cup, done to 3 they only just lost to Caldy by 14 of our points. The Christleton team were Year 10 12 – 0 down for most of the match

66 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School CrossCross CountryCountry CountyCounty SuccessSuccess On a very wet and muddy they would all be Saturday in a race of 95 runners in the top 6 county from several counties, Tristan runners. MacFarlane came in 46th, Jac However, the Goodall 52nd and David Dentith competition for 57th. David was especially places is really tough pleased as it was his first time in Cheshire and he took running for Cheshire, off the enough runners for 2 back of his good performances squads on Saturday. this season. Also at the event Congratulations representing Cheshire, Isaac Tait These are fantastic results and (Year 7) who finished 6th. the boys are showing great to our Year 9 determination and motivation to Girls Basketball Johnny Goodall, their team compete at this level in wintery team – Chester manager was really pleased with conditions. their performances. He believed and District that if these boys were running for Thank you to parents cheering Champions! any other and supporting at events. We On Thursday, 19th November 2015, county are hoping to report more great ten of our Year 9 girls travelled performances in the next edition. to Catholic High School for the Chester and District Girls Basketball Mrs Stott Championship. With a few lunch time practices under the belt, Mr Horrocks was confident that Christleton would do well. As it turned out, Christleton dominated all opposition and won the tournament undefeated. The starting unit of Laura Roberts, Lucy Peterson, Anastasia Dunkerley, Hannah Thorley, and Gemma Hemens were unstoppable. Defensively every school struggled to even get a shot off against these five players. When Christleton had the ball, fast break after fast break was run in, and easy points were scored. The second unit of Xsara Challinor, Emily Twigg, Ruth Campbell, Hannah CheshireCheshire PhoenixPhoenix Piercy and Sophie Lee came on and the pressure did not let up. The whole –– BasketballBasketball CoachingCoaching team combined extremely well for a Every Friday, after school, 3.30 pm - 5.00 pm, master class in how to play Basketball. James Faint a professional Basketball coach Upon receiving the gold medals, Mr with the Cheshire Phoenix is coaching Green, the tournament organiser, Basketball in the Sports Hall. Anyone praised the whole team and pointed can turn up (you don’t need to be on the out Laura Roberts as an outstanding Basketball teams) and play. The sessions player. are fun and for all age groups – we Well done to all girls – our first currently have Year 7s up to Sixth Formers in Basketball Championship this year! attendance. Interested? See you on Fridays! Autumn Term 2015 67 Sadly, the Inter Girls only had 3 runners so they could not go any further, but still ran strongly all coming in the top 46.

ESAA The Inter Boys had high expectations for the competition, Schools as 2 members of the team I was in last year reached the National Cross Finals and came 5th in the country: Jac Goodall and Joe Powell. They Country were hoping for a repeat of last year and to reach the Finals again. Cup This time there was Jac, Joe, Matty McDonnell, George Tingey, David Dentith (last year’s Finals team) and Tristan McFarlane (also last year’s Finals team).

Tristan set the standard for the team, coming home in 4th position, 25 seconds behind came Jac in 5th, then David in 16th, Matty McDonnell in 22nd, and George Tingey in 44th. Great results meant The Junior Boys competed strongly the team were through to the with a team including: Isaac Tait, second round! Ethan Butler, Dylan Moore, Owen Humber and Sam Turner. Isaac and On Saturday, 7th November 2015, Ethan set the standard placing in the Junior Boys gave a good 4th and 7th. Dylan came in 19th performance but not enough to followed by Owen in 22nd, and clench a place in the Finals. There Sam in 55th out of 65 runners. They was another amazing performance made it through to the Regional by the Inter Boys team finishing The first round of Round! 2nd in the region and securing their place in the Finals, on Saturday, 5th The Junior Girls team set out as the English schools December 2015, in Bedford. Look a strong contender for the Junior out in the next edition of The Swan Girls competition, consisting of: to see how they did. Cross-country Jemma Moulton, Jessica Graham, Holly Lee, Rebecca Davies, Hatty Well done everyone and Go Team Bird and Tamsin O’Keefe. Tamsin Inters!! Championship was flying (as usual), finishing in an incredible 2nd place! Jessica came Adam Carlile in behind in 17th, Holly in 28th, took place on the Year 11 Rebecca in 55th, Hatty and Jemma Coach in 57th and 58th respectively. 6th October 2015.

68 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School GirlsGirls BadmintonBadminton On Monday, 12th October 2015, girls from Years 8, 9, 10 and 11 travelled with racquets in their hands to Upton High School The format of to compete in the Chester and the competition District Badminton Championships. made it difficult to Upon arrival, two girls who are know who had won or lost the England National Schools each game and each school Champions (at Under 18) greeted was unsure of the results. After us. They busily chatted away telling the last match had been played, us about some of the players at the all the schools waited patiently tournament playing at high levels (and nervously) to find out who and some representing Cheshire had won. In the Years 10 and 11 in Badminton. Our girls took this in tournament Christleton finished in their stride and proceeded to warm a very respectable 3rd place – just up intensely readying themselves missing out on the silver medal for a tough tournament ahead. (the results revealed there was just one point in it). However, our Representing the Years 10 and 11 Years 8 and 9 team ended up in 1st team were Molly Ellis, Isla Beech, place, collecting the gold medals Molly Dempsey, Annalea Moulton and booking themselves into the and Annabel Page, with the Years next round – which is the Cheshire 8 and 9 team comprising Xsara Professional Championships! Challinor, Laura Roberts, Grace Table Tennis Coaching Beesley, Lucy Peterson, and Sophie All girls played superbly, with Every Thursday after school Aaron Lee. The tournament had some outstanding sportsmanship and Beech, who is a professional Table excellent Badminton players, but were a credit to the school. Well Tennis coach, is running coaching somehow both Christleton teams done all! sessions in the Dance Studio. The managed to battle out each game, project is part funded by Everton pushing each school to its limits. Football club and is running all year. If you want to play Table Tennis, want to learn some skills or just have an interest – come and play! Sessions start at 3.30 pm and finish at 4.30 pm.

Autumn Term 2015 69 FootballFootball

It has Our Year 8s also fell at the first they will have a bit more luck. been a hurdle, again at a school in Year 10 have had an outstanding Liverpool. The team lost 2-1 away start to the season. Victory over busy term at Maricourt Catholic School but Archbishop Beck Catholic Sports for the football teams at have enjoyed some success in the College propelled them into the Christleton with a number County Cup. On a windy afternoon, next round of the ESFA Open Cup. a 2-0 win at Chester Catholic High Ben Clark scored twice aided by of games played since School sent Christleton into the goals from Tom Roebuck and Phil September. next round. Alex Bayley lobbing Hopkins in a 4-3 victory. the goalkeeper from nearly 50 Our Year 7s started their season yards was the stand out moment They have enjoyed similar good with a victory in a friendly from the game. The next round fortune in the England Schools Cup. over Abbeygate College. sees another tough game against A comfortable victory over The Will Lloyd scored a hat Neston High School. Heath School from Runcorn was trick with Ryan Evans gained in the opening round, which impressing at the was followed by a battling display other end in goal. Again, it was a school from away at Hillside High School with Unfortunately, the lads Liverpool that proved too much for Phil Hopkins impressing as well as were eliminated in the our Year 9s. St Francis Xavier’s Owen Wheeler in midfield. First Round of the England College eliminated a depleted Schools Cup. A strong St. team from the England Schools Year 11 have had a steady start Margaret’s side from Liverpool Open Cup. Defeat away at St. to the season. The defence of edging a fantastic game 3-2. Helens in the ESFA Cup means that the Cheshire Cup has begun well Mikey Stamper’s free kick and Ed the boys will look forward to their with a 3-0 victory over Upton High Stockton’s performance in goal Chester and District Cup fixtures School on a wet night on the All were particular highlights. after Christmas were it is hoped Weather Pitch. Unfortunately, the

70 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School run in the ESFA Open Cup was Cup. over in early November, falling to The Girls teams have enjoyed an We have seen five of our Under 14s a 1-0 defeat away at St. Francis outstanding start to the season! selected for the Chester Schools FA Xavier’s College after a battling The Under 13 Girls are into Round Under 14s squad. Congratulations performance clinched a 5-3 victory 4 of the ESFA Cup after victories to Ben Lawrence, Matt Rain, Ted away at Cansfield High School in over Alsop High School and Sale Williams, Dan Malone and Will the opening round. Grammar School in previous Goodwin. Similarly, we have had rounds. Hannah Snape has been four students selected for the Victories over Upton High School the star performer. The girls are Chester Schools FA Under 15s and Calday Grange Grammar also progressing in the Cheshire squad. Congratulations to Ben School have meant progression Cup. Gale, Ben Clark, Tom Roebuck, and in the ESFA Cup and at the time Phil Hopkins. of writing a tie away at Cardinal Our Under 14 girls progressed in Heenan Roman Catholic High the Cheshire Cup with a victory It has been a very busy term for School or St. Francis Xavier’s over Chester Catholic High School football at Christleton, training College in the next round awaits. and our Under 15 girls are moving and practice sessions are well The Sixth Form have seen matches along nicely in the ESFA Cup attended, and the new term after limited but are awaiting a tie at St. having eliminated Helsby High Christmas promises to be another Chad’s High School in the County School 1-0 in a tight game. exciting one! Cup and travel to Abbeygate College in the Chester and District

Autumn Term 2015 71 BasketballBasketballBased on the Basketball success of last year, the Basketball Programme has taken a giant leap this year by entering three teams into the North Wales Basketball League.

As it stands, Christleton 9 and Years 10 and 11 – with the High School is the only intention to enter a Sixth Form team school in the league where we next year. The games are held compete on a weekly basis against on Tuesday evenings, with games established Basketball Clubs often starting at either 6:00 pm, 7:00 pooling the best players from pm or 8:00 pm, which is a huge over 10 schools. The age groups commitment for our students. entered are Year 7, Years 8 and

defensive rebounding. With only Mold Magic. This game was a one- a few minutes to go Christy sided affair with our boys playing Mageean scored a basket some outstanding Basketball. Tom to push the school ahead Wyatt’s vision enabled him to steal by 4 points and Whitby loose passes and he was able to never got closer than convert to points on the fast break. that. Final score 23-17 to Cameron Bradley was a beast Christleton High School. on the boards – every rebound Our next encounter seemed to be his and he did not was a different affair. let his man get very far without The opposition was Celts brilliant pressure! Adam Carlile Years 10 and 11 Caernarfon and as we and Matthew Jones had their best walked in, we could see that games yet, combining well in the many players were over 6 feet guard positions to distribute the ball In the tall and most were wearing either a and push the tempo. The score was Years 10 North Wales or Wales International 38-10 to Christleton. and 11 age group, the team has shirt. From the outset, it was clear played three games winning two that this team was very strong The Years 10 and 11s have also and losing one. The first game and made it very difficult for our started the School Basketball was against Whitby Basketball boys to score. The final score League. The first (and only) game Club where we encountered a was 58-10 in favour of the Welsh (so far) was against Catholic High match against one of our own team. Despite the big score line, School. The game was fast paced, students; Reece Owens. So, the Christleton fought until the end and high scoring and extremely tactical. stakes were high – we couldn’t demonstrated resilience in the face Catholic High School had one let Reece and his team win! The of extremely tough opposition. Oli outstanding player, who will be game was an excellent display of Trollope led the team in spirit (as pushing for a spot on the England Basketball skill and tactics and you would expect if you know Oli!) Basketball Team. At first, we found was very close. Tom Wyatt led and showed grit and determination, it difficult to contain him as he was the team distributing the ball well which kept the team going. able to score easily. Mr Horrocks with Jason Taylor dominating the Our most recent game was against tasked Tom Wyatt with the

72 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School extremely tough job of stopping teamed up with Tom, which made a was able to create a small amount him. Tom did brilliantly, but it big difference. Christleton closed of space and get off a very tough soon was evident that this player the gap. The score got to 35-35 shot…the ball went in and the game was too good for one man. The with one minute to go. Catholic was over. It was a tough loss to take tactics changed with Mr Horrocks High School had the ball and a time for our boys…one player scored 32 employing a double team tactic out. Everyone knew who the ball of their 37 points and scored the and “triangle and two defence”. was going to and who was going winner. Both worked with scoring from this to take the final shot! Christleton player slowing down. Dan Wait double teamed this player, but he

Christleton started the game and the final score was 20-13. The nervously (the first ever game second game was against Celts for all our players!) and Mold Caernarfon and this time Christleton Magic capitalised scoring a played with confidence. Spencer few uncontested baskets. Moore penetrated the defence Mr Horrocks called an well and was able to create some early time out to settle scoring opportunities for his team. the nerves and re-affirm Xsara Challinor and Laura Roberts the defensive priorities. combined well and were able to Coming out of the progress the ball up the floor and time out Laura Roberts provide some scoring opportunities. Years 8 and 9 and Jacob Jones led the However, Celts Caernarfon is an team and started to create organised team with some very some holes in the Mold Magic good players – and in the end, their defence. Jacob Hemens used his quality was too much for our team. o speed well and as a consequence Rory Faulkner ended up the top Sfar, the Years 8 and 9 Team was able to score a few points. scorer for Christleton with 10 points. have only played two games. Our However, the initial lead by Mold first opposition was Mold Magic. Magic was too difficult to break

aggressive under the hoop and The Basketball Programme is going able to score some tough shots. from strength-to-strength and Benedict Andrews and we are still in our early stages of Thomas Goodwin did an development. Entering the North excellent job bringing Wales League has meant that our the ball up the floor students now have regular and and creating chances tough opposition, which only helps to score. Lola Latifa to develop our skills and game excelled in the shooting play. There is Basketball every guard position and was Friday after school, which is run unafraid to shoot, which by Cheshire Phoenix and anyone really challenged the can come to play. In addition, Year 7s Mold Magic defence. The practices are held after school, game was a tight affair, both these details can be found in the teams played well. However, bulletin each week or by contacting he Mold Magic scored one basket Mr Horrocks. So far our students TYear 7 towards the end of the game and have shown excellent character and team have played one game so Christleton were not quite able to resilience and we look forward to far. Again the opposition was make up the difference. The final hearing about our games and our Mold Magic. Leading the team score was 15-12 in favour of our successes! was Jayden Crump who was opposition. Autumn Term 2015 73 CondoverCondover HallHall

Early in September 2015, This has been an annual trip organised Netball finished for the day, the girls by the school for many years having were given the opportunity to let off the Year 8 A, B and C received positive feedback from some steam by getting involved in the students after each visit. Over the numerous activities the facility had to Netball teams went on a course of the weekend, the girls took offer such as laser maze, tunnelling, low residential to Condover part in a tournament playing against and high ropes, and body zorbing. various teams from across England. The girls had a fantastic weekend and Hall. The A team won the competition we all look forward to next comfortably whilst the B and C teams year’s adventure! came 4th and 7th respectively. After the

74 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School Who were Teacher’s Pet Here’s the answer - they?

For those of you Mr. Stenhouse who didn’t know, Mr Francis is the proud owner of Ted, the ‘Children in Need’ Mascot. Like father, like son!

Mr. Lamberton

Mr. Follos

We all wish Nigel a speedy recovery.

Autumn Term 2015 75 76 The Swan - The Magazine from Christleton High School