Wellington School 11-18 School

Excellence in Everything Spring Term Newsletter www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk January 2016

Get Set, Cook event Welcome to the with Year 9 INSIDE THIS EDITION: Welcome 2 Spring Term Art News 3 2016 Newsletter Design & Technology News 9 English News 13 Geography News 15 ICT News 15 History News 16 Maths News 17 MFL News 18 Music News 20 PE News 22 Science News 24 We hope you enjoy Year 7, 9, 10, 11 26 reading about many PSA News 27 of the activities and REP News 28 events that took Careers News 29 Sixth Form News 30 place at Wellington Social Sciences 32 Wellington’s Art Wonderland School during the Autumn Term 2015

New York, New York! Science Club at work

1 HEADTEACHER News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Welcome to the latest edition of our Newsletter As this newsletter arrives home, we will be speeding towards February, but I suppose it’s still appropriate for me to wish you all a belated happy and healthy New Year. I’m sure that by the time you have read always, Mrs Moorhouse laid on a musical to the Wellington cause. Cheryl continues about the activities, events and successes treat and thanks must go to principal guest, as a governor. At the beginning of the of our students in this newsletter and Glenn Rees, a true friend and partner of year, the PSA set itself a target of raising possibly in my weekly blog on the website, Wellington School, for his wise words. an additional 30% this year. Following a you will once again be left in no doubt as to We had a record turnout from both our very successful (thank you Year 7 parents) the wealth and breadth of experiences we former Year 11 and Year 13 students and Family Fun Night and equally successful endeavour to provide for our young people the atmosphere in the 6th Form Common Christmas Fair, we are well on course here at Wellington, and the last Autumn Room, where we enjoyed refreshments to achieve that goal. I have to say the Term was certainly no exception. Cue for following the formal part of the evening, appearance of Father Christmas, on a me to publicly say a huge thank you to all was wonderful. The event was a true 1950s vintage double decker bus in the staff and the wider Wellington community vindication of the hard work and dedication car park, proved a real attraction. Well of governors and indeed parents for your of students, staff and parents. We wish all done Mrs Tasker and Mrs Byiers for liaising considerable enthusiasm and support of those students, whether they remain with with Santa’s agents to secure his services our work here. Gratifyingly, (by way of us or have moved on to pastures new and at a time when, I’m sure he was in great a little aside) this was ratified by a visit the next stage of their educational lives, all demand. from the Investors in People assessor in the very best of luck. We are incredibly grateful for the work of November and we were delighted to be re- the PSA, and that includes all the members awarded accreditation. Carol Service of the SLT who attend every meeting We were sad to say farewell to Mrs Johnson, The Carol Service has to be one of my and all the events, but we really would Second in Music at the end of last term, personal highlights of the Wellington year welcome more new blood and fresh ideas. who leaves us to take up a post nearer and Mrs Moorhouse has also provided Remember, every penny raised will benefit her home and we wish her great success. her report in the Music section of this our students. The ‘Race Night’ is our next Mr Dey has joined the Music department newsletter. Despite her usual bout of event in March, and I hope you will support temporarily and we are delighted to anxiety, Mrs Moorhouse never fails to in some capacity or other; by sponsoring a welcome Mrs Allen and Mrs Whitham to deliver on the musical front; all the choirs race, buying a horse or just coming along the MFL Department. We await news from and instrumental ensembles were superb and having a ‘flutter’ on the night. More Mrs Ramsumair who has commenced her again, but I was particularly impressed with PSA news later in this Newsletter. maternity leave and over the next month or my colleagues in the staff and 6th Form Advanced notice so, we will be sending Mrs Willingham (Art), choir this year. Acknowledgement must of this year’s Mrs Campbell, (MFL) and Mrs Stephens also go to Mrs Jones, who has taken over Sponsored Walk (Assistant Head) off on their maternity from Mrs Stephens as Head of REP, and which takes place leaves with our very best wishes. whose job it was therefore to arrange the on Friday 26th readings and the delivery of the delightful February. The School Council this year Roofing update ‘jelly baby’ story. At the end of a long voted unanimously for the Teenage Cancer and tiring Autumn Term, the Carol Service After a degree of disruption since last Trust to be our chosen charity. I really do was once again a marvellous boost and June, the roofing and drainage project is hope we can hit that £40,000 mark for the a fabulous way to kick-start the festive drawing to a close. I have been mightily first time for such a brilliant cause. I have period. impressed with the two major contractors, met representatives of the charity and they Conlon’s and Fulwood Roofing. I am most PSA Events are absolutely delighted that the students appreciative of their professionalism. have chosen to support them. I’m sure we However, in a nice way, I will be glad to I have mentioned her in my weekly bulletin will do them proud. There will be a series see them go as we will then be able to recently, but a word of thanks to outgoing of assemblies to promote the charity over reclaim areas of the School site. It has Chair of the PSA, Nicola Green, for her the coming months. Please give generously been problematic at times to have limited outstanding service of the last 5 years. and encourage others to do so when the space but I must credit the students for During that time, Nicola has co-ordinated time comes. their patience and conduct throughout this the fundraising which has provided so Well, that’s more than enough from me period. much for our students. We wish her well … enjoy the newsletter and I’m sure it and hope she keeps in touch. Emma will leave you with that warm glow of Certificate Evening Firth assumes the role of Chair (Emma contentment. I believe they call it ‘pride!’ will have her hands full as she is also a It seems such a long time ago now, but Well done to all our young people who parent governor), Simon Carter remains we enjoyed a fabulous evening back achieved so much last term. as Vice Chair and Salima LeVell becomes in September, when we celebrated the Secretary. Thanks to Cheryl Lavin, who S P Beeley outstanding performances of our students steps down as Secretary, for her dedication Headteacher in their GCSEs and A Levels in 2015. As

2 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 ART News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

The Monster Painting a Mash selfie! Or should I say Mrs Monster Mâché? Willingham’s Year 7 pupils took part in Year 7 classes last term’s Art club and have been made these fantastic working really papier-mâché monsters hard this term from balloons, tissue on their portrait paper and of course, what every successful art club projects. needs…. PIPE CLEANERS! They spent a couple of lessons mastering the art of mixing skin tones These are now up on display in the LRC. Go have a look! They and painting their portraits which they completed with great success. are fabulous (and not scary at all). The effort and time put into them really paid off and they are now turning their portraits into Pop Art Pieces (further updates will of Well done Year 7 Art clubbers. course follow). Well done Year 7. Mrs Kearney Mrs Willingham

Japanese Landscapes Japanese Art Techniques 8.1A and 8.2A have also been looking at 8.3A have been exploring Japanese traditional Japanese art techniques, one of culture this term with a focus on them being ink landscapes. Japanese patterns. Students were set the challenge of drawing out a Japanese landscape and completing the landscape in pen using only mark-making techniques, no colouring! The students really excelled at the challenge and I am extremely pleased with the results, these are their best pieces of work so far this year. I am expecting great things from the classes as we near the end of their project. Mrs Willingham

Students spent time as part of the scheme producing these beautiful wave patterns in watercolour. The students found it a real challenge controlling their watercolours within such intricate patterns but the results were worth it. Well done 8.3A. Mrs Willingham

Koi Carp festival Year 8 have been researching the Japanese ‘Koi Carp festival’. They have started to develop their own Koi Carp kite designs inspired by Japanese patterns. Keep a look out in next term’s newsletter for final pieces. Well done Year 8. Mrs Kearney

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 3 ART News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Trafford Schools Art Competition Congratulations to Amber Grundy for winning the ‘Inspired by Festivals and Culture’ award at this year’s Trafford Schools Art competition. She also missed out on winning the visitors prize by only a few votes! Thanks to everyone who visited Art with a Heart Gallery in Altrincham to support Amber and our other Year 12 students Emily and Eboni, while their work was up for exhibit. Amber won a huge selection of art materials which will no doubt help her greatly when she attends Art College next year. Well done! Mrs Kearney

Yorkshire Sculpture Park Didgeridoo do Art proud! Mrs Kearney, Mrs Brown and 30 year 9 students visited G’day! 8.5A have been Yorkshire Sculpture Park on Thursday 1st October. working hard this term Upon arriving looking at Aboriginal we met a local art. artist who gave So far they have completed us a guided beautiful paintings of native tour of some of Australian animals and the sculptures have completed their own on display. Aboriginal maps reflecting After spending their locality. They are the morning vegemite-tastic and reflect producing real skill in application and pattern. sketches of the sculptures Next are the card relief group sculptures, but you will have hidden in to wait until the next newsletter issue for those! Keep up the the Yorkshire good work 8.5A. fog, in the Miss Grey afternoon, each student was given a lump of clay and asked to create a response to one of the sculptures. They loved working outside with the clay and only moaned a few times (each) about having very dirty hands! Students had the opportunity to have a look at many of the other sculptures around the park and some even made it the whole way to the other side to view the breathtaking Poppy Wave sculpture, taken from the Tower of London. Yet another Photography Club fantastic visit to the Yorkshire Photography club got well under way this term Sculpture Park, with a fabulous group of Year 9 students. well done to all the Year Students have been learning how to compose a photograph 9s who came and use the correct settings on a camera. Students along. I hope have also had the opportunity to edit their photographs you found it as using Adobe Photoshop. I can’t wait to see their work on inspirational as display. I’d like to say a massive well done and thank you I did. to Photography Club who have attended no matter what throughout a very busy term. Mrs Kearney Mrs Willingham

4 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 ART News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Year 9 Sealife work: Year 9 have followed a ‘sea life’ theme last term – take a look at examples of their stunning work below…

Mono Printing 9.7 have had a fabulous time this term reminiscing about their summer holidays and exploring all things ‘seaside’! Students even had the opportunity to complete some Mono Prints of their drawings in their sketchbooks. This was set up like a Mary Berry ‘technical challenge’ for the group. Instructions were minimal and the students were encouraged to work independently to find out how to compete the task through watching a series of technical videos. Well, I can honestly say the whole class certainly rose to the technical challenge, there were some fabulous results that I think would have impressed any judge! Mrs Willingham

Catch of the day! Seaside Paintings 9.8 made these splendid 9.3 and 9.4 have had the chance to do some 3D fish as their reminiscing about their summer holidays this response to the sea term whilst studying the seaside. life theme. They have produced these beautiful watercolour beach After completing an hut paintings. armature with paper, Mrs Willingham the students covered and modelled the fish with mod roc, to give a smooth paint finish. They took to this new technique like … a fish to water! Beautiful paint work with lovely reference to pattern and features of the fish. Definitely my catch of the day! Miss Grey

Seaside studies Year 9 have well and truly covered all aspects of sea life this term! I could show you pages of their beautiful work, but here is just a flavour of their ocean offerings. Miss Grey

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 5 ART News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

The Big Draw: Once again, the Art Department took part in the ‘Big Draw’, a national campaign to promote drawing. The theme this year was ‘Every drawing tells a story’. Using this theme, we decided to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll. We came up with the idea to transform our art corridor into ‘Wonderland’ and that every pupil in Years 7, 8, 9 & 10 would complete a part of wonderland. The work that was produced in one week was outstanding – from 3ft flamingos, giant keys made from Modroc, 3D toadstools, paper cut clocks, large murals, posters – you name it we probably made it! Well done to all the pupils who took part, for your enthusiasm and hard work and an enormous thank you to Miss Grey and Mrs Willingham for your ideas, as well as the preparation that has taken place in order for this event to run so smoothly. It was so amazing to see the work up for display and even better to see our pupils and visitors take the time to view all the work. A record number of fairy lights were used and we have absolutely loved teaching from our wonderland corridor. Mrs Kearney

6 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 ART News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Paper cutting Year 10 Year 10 are just taking everything Drawing in their stride. Here you can see sheets the delicate paper cutting work How could I they have undertaken. not include It is a tricky technique which photographs of my requires great concentration not only to avoid any incident Year 10 drawing with a scalpel, but in planning sheets? the positive and negative of They are absolutely shapes. fantastic! The amount I was really proud of them as of time spent, the they completed the work, you detail added and the care taken could have heard a pin drop! is above and beyond my expectations. I am really looking forward to seeing the final outcomes. Well done Year 10. Miss Grey Mrs Kearney Feather, Fur, Fin Year 10 have produced some amazing work this term for their theme ‘Feather, Fur, Fin’. After getting into the swing of things with a trip to Chester Zoo, students have really engaged with the project exploring all types of animals, birds and fish whilst using a range of materials and techniques. Students have produced some amazing studies and are already completing their final pieces for the project. I can’t wait to see what they are going to produce for their new projects in the New Year! Mrs Willingham

Year 11 Sea life Many Year 11’s have taken ‘Sea life’ as the theme for their coursework. Now it was hard to select just a few pieces to show you, but here is a selection of some of the work produced. Well done Year 11. Year 11 Seaside Miss Grey Year 11 pupils have just completed their 3rd (and final) piece of GCSE coursework. Obviously this project was set at the beginning of the summer holidays when the sun was out and the sky was blue; a distant memory now! Some cracking final outcomes girls! Mrs Kearney

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 7 ART News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Year 12 Print Fever Year 13 Fine Art Year 12 pupils have got ‘Printing Fever’ at the Our students are moment. working really hard They have been experimenting with mono printing, on their coursework poly printing, intaglio printing and even lino printing (we are saving screen printing for next term). Well portfolios at the done Year 12 for being moment. creative, The themes are varied and risk- show their growing skills in taking a variety of media to create and being different effects including prepared wire, image transfer and to be layering and stitching messy paper. most Amber is currently exploring lessons! portraiture, inspired by the artists Mrs Lucien Freud and Francis Bacon. Kearney She is undertaking a triptych in oil paint. Eboni is using sewing, stitching and dressmaking as her theme, looking at artists Jim Dine and Lisa Murphy to explore both mark making and composition. Emily has used her sea life theme to develop her studies using found objects, layers and collections like artists Joseph Cornell and Juan Gris. All these students applied to Manchester Metropolitan to complete a foundation course in art and design and I am delighted to say they were all offered a place. Well done ladies and keep up the good work, final outcomes will be unveiled in the next edition of the newsletter. Miss Grey & Mrs Willingham

Graphics (Yr 13) Year 13 Graphic Communication students continue to make great progress creating their graphic campaigns. Jamie has been exploring designers such as Orla Kiely and Mini Moderns to come up with his own range of household products featuring pattern developed from a sealife theme. Will is using Manchester ‘past and present’ to develop a ‘hipster’ style logo for a café bar called Moseley. Both products have been developed from drawing and experimentation of their own images using Photoshop techniques and processes to produce the outcomes. Great work, keep it up! Miss Grey & Mrs Willingham

8 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

KS3 - Food Technology - Year 7 KS3 - Food Technology - Year 7 students had a theme for this rotation Year 8 of ‘A Healthy Packed Lunch’, with some This rotation, our Year 8 students had challenging homework set. a theme of “A Mediterranean Diet’, One of my favourite tasks involved pupils choosing to ensure all students gain a wealth anything they would like to cook over a weekend with their parents / grandparents /carers / siblings or even of knowledge of healthy dishes that independently. I asked all students to cook something they can prepare and cook for a target that involved them using either the oven or the grill and audience of either families or couples. evidence this with either a photograph, a letter from All students started by carrying out some their parents or a signature in their planners. research of which Mediterranean country they would like to base their The response blew me away! I think their parents ingredients on. They had choices of Spanish, Italian or Greek Cuisine. also enjoyed having a sous-chef in their kitchen. Our Calum Milne writes this report of the food rotation so far: students had cooked parts of a roast dinner, for example Yorkshire puddings and gravy, fruit crumbles, brownies ‘Food Technology in Year 8 has been really fun so far, we have created many and many more. A huge thank you goes to Joseph Lee marvellous dishes ranging from multi coloured vegetable and grilled halloumi and family for Kebabs to mouthwatering pizza. To create these dishes we were inspired by kindly baking the Mediterranean cuisine and the methods they use to cook. everyone in the So far, I have enjoyed creating the pizza because we could create the dough class a cupcake and from scratch as well as practise our chopping methods. It was really fun to even the staff were make as well. Also it was my favourite to taste due to the variety of textures given one too. What from the soft vegetables to the crunchy crusts. Plus the fact I can now make a kind gesture my own pizza from scratch at home is fantastic.’ this was and I can confirm they were In the following weeks there will be a pasta dish delicious; very and a Spanish orange cake for students to make, moist and evenly and finally they will redesign and cook one of their risen. Mary Berry previously cooked dishes for a final assessment. would be proud! I hope one day to see one of my students on Miss Hudson Master Chef, keep up the good work. Miss Hudson

KS3 - Ready Steady Cook On Monday 19th October, the whole of Year 9 witnessed a ready, steady, cook competition between Miss Tidbury and Mrs Ryan. The school caterers hosted the event led by a chef called Tim who was assisted by the school catering manager, Leon. The green team consisted of Miss started and the contest was on. The teams had 15 minutes to cook Tidbury, Cameron Stenhouse and Lily Avison-Hall and on the red and serve their dishes. Team red started by steaming the rice and team there was Mrs Ryan, Laura Rundle and Affy Khan. the greens started by preparing the carrots. As the minutes ticked Before cooking began, Tim explained the main food groups and by, the epic cooking battle intensified with the teams becoming went through what a balanced diet should look like. Tim chose more stressed by the minute. With just seconds to go, the teams three Year 9 pupils to help with this – Jacob Gregory, Georgia started to plate up, anxious to get their presentation correct. And Higham and Danielle Broadbent. then it was all over. There was nothing more the teams could do. Judging commenced. After this the teams were told what they would be cooking and A host of students and teachers, who were eagerly watching, were shown the equipment that they chosen to taste the food and feedback to the audience who would could use: the reds were making then vote using the red and green cards. It turned out to be a pretty Makhani Chicken with Rice and the much unanimous vote ... with the red team emerging as the victors. greens, Chinese Quorn Stir Fry with It was a thoroughly enjoyable activity for all who participated and noodles and cucumber salad. spectated. Commiserations to Miss Tidbury, maybe next time! Once the teams had found out Adam Jennings, 9GBN what they were cooking, the timer

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 9 DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

KS3 - Product Design KS3 - Textiles - End of Rotation - Year 7 Boat Project Evaluations Year 7 students studying Once my Year 7, 8 & 9 students had reached Product Design have created the end of the first Design Technology rotation a range of toy boat designs I asked them to write an evaluation of their aimed at young children. own experiences. Here are some of their Students have developed a range of evaluations; practical processes to create their toy boat from softwood and enhanced their computer aided design skills to present their boats in a real life context. Great marketing Year 7! Mrs Booth

Omar Abunasra 8Y4 starts off with: “This year in Technology, we have been set a challenging design brief to make a bag that is similar to our PE bags. Our bags had to be based on the Hindu festivals of Holi or Diwali; I chose Holi.”

KS3 - Graphics - Year 9 Food Harley Geraghty 8W4 explains: “We have learnt many new skills this year, such as how to use the Packaging sewing machine properly and use different decorative techniques. I have enjoyed Textiles this year more than Project last year as we got to use a wider range of equipment, as well as put our skills that we learnt last year to the Year 9 students test for a more challenging but rewarding product. studying Graphic I have particularly enjoyed trying out some new Products have been techniques in order to decorate our bags such as the developing ‘take dyeing techniques of colour wash and tie-dye. I have away’ packaging for overcome a few problems by being resilient, for example measuring correctly to create seams, making sure the a food sector area fabric is pinned perfectly before I sew and learning to of their choice. take my time once on the sewing machine in order to Students have designed avoid the dreaded un-picker”. their own brand by Charlotte Liston 9X4 summarises her rotation with: “I developing a unique have enjoyed this year relearning how to thread up a logo relevant to their machine as I can now do it on my own. I can confidently food theme. The food say I know how to complete all the various stages of packaging system they making my deerstalker hat. I really enjoyed making my have created had to be Christmas themed hat as we have learnt new sewing suitable for commercial machine decorative techniques such as quilting and use in a restaurant or machine appliqué. I now know what to do when my food outlet and be able to contain a drink and a wrapped food product. sewing machine ‘breaks’ and I now find it easier to cut Students presented their proposals in a PowerPoint presentation as well fabric using shears. Although some parts of Technology as creating a prototype model. are difficult to grasp at first I find it really rewarding and enjoyable”. The results have been outstanding. Well done Year 9. Miss Hudson Mrs Booth and Mr Travis

10 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

KS3 - Product Design - Year 8 Clock Project Year 8 students studying Product Design have been designing and making a range of ‘novelty’ clock designs based upon a theme of their choice. Students have developed a range of practical processes to create their ‘original’ designs. Geogina Scrace explains; “During my Product Design rotation in D&T we designed and made clocks for a target audience. My clock is a bear that uses bright colours to attract the young children at whom my clock is aimed. My clock is fun and friendly, and it’s fantastic that it looks like my original design. “ Congratulations Year 8, the quality of the clocks has been exceptional. Mrs Booth and Miss Carter

KS4 - GCSE Textiles Technology GCSE Textiles Technology students have been working extremely hard; They have selected their project brief to design a fashion garment inspired by a different culture of the world or a unique child’s toy. Students have completed comprehensive research and produced some outstanding designs and I am looking forward to seeing these ideas develop. Mrs Booth

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 11 DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

KS4 - GCSE Textiles KS4 - GCSE Product Design Year 11 GCSE Product Our Year 11 students are now in Design the thick of manufacturing their students have own designs and all are working been working at a pace to complete to a tight extremely deadline. hard and are The class has mentioned to me that making great they are really enjoying the practical element of the course and progress with finding that the one hour lesson flies by. I asked three of my their Controlled students; Emily Holt, Connie Bennett & Ella Taylor to compose Assessment this report on their class’ experiences so far. practical. ‘As a class we are making all sorts of textile products ranging from costumes suitable for Ballet performances, musicals and Students are theatrical productions, to interactive stuffed animals and build currently in the your own play cubes. We all enjoy the creative outlet we receive workshop designing from doing practical work, despite it being time consuming a variety of products and requiring a lot of concentration to achieve the highest from storage units, manufacturing standards. We are also feeling the pressure of docking stations and trying to get everything finished to meet the deadline, however lighting. despite this the subject is thoroughly enjoyable. We have learnt The deadline for their final piece is fast approaching so keep working many different techniques in the past few months such as hard Year 11. shibori, appliqué, heat setting and foiling, which we have used Mrs Booth and Miss Carter on our final pieces.’ I can vouch for my students that all are using a variety of techniques as well as some completing methods of decoration and construction that they have researched independently. Some have even visited textile exhibitions and learnt new techniques this way. On a final note I would like to say a huge well done to all those students who performed well in their recent mock exams. They will soon find out their results at parents evening, but I am thrilled for those who I can tell have been working independently. These students have made use of the endless mock exam style theory question starter activities, the revision guides I have written and the notes from theory lessons to revise their socks off. This is a positive sign that all students should be gaining results to be proud of come summer 2016. I have my fingers crossed for you all, not that you’ll need it if you keep up the hard work. Miss Hudson

KS5 - A Level Textiles Year 12 & 13 students have been demonstrating their creativity and flair by creating a range of exquisite and original designs for an identified client; these range from couture designers, high street stores, theatre companies, ‘pop’ icons and celebrities. Each student has created their own brief and design theme. We are looking forward to seeing how these ideas develop. Great work! Mrs Booth & Miss Hudson

12 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 ENGLISH News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

10.5 Poetry 10.5 have been working on an ‘Introduction to Poetry’ week, learning and then performing the Dylan Thomas poem, ‘Do not go gentle….’ Pupils had to learn how to use their voice for performance by intonating, using voice control and emphasising emotions. The class worked fabulously on this activity and performed their finished version in the Vale Hall. On filling in a questionnaire, pupils informed me that they had really enjoyed the week and that it had helped them to further appreciate the power of poetry! Mrs McDonnell

10.4 English Reward trip to the BBC Embracing Poetry studios 10.4 have been busy creating Ever wondered who kept your school some impressive pieces on displays looking so fabulous? whether or not they feel We have three very creative Year 8 students who teenagers have an easy life; help maintain all of the displays around the school this forms part of a unit called – from updating the sports news to ripping down ‘Our Voice’ which introduces old displays and putting up new. Elayne Atherton, students to the trials of Stephanie Eaton and Elizabeth Brouard have worked diligently over the past year. As a reward for their the writing paper for GCSE hard work I decided that a tour around the BBC English Language. studios would be a well-deserved treat. Setting off Pupils designed playing cards with on the tram they made their way to the studios…I their introduction and conclusions think I was the most excited! We got to see lots on – that way they have made sure of props used in some of the most popular TV these are semantically linked and you should easily be able to play a game of shows including the Tardis and Daleks, the famous Snap with them! We’ve also made a display of their excellent work. Countdown clock and ‘The chair’ from The Voice plus one of the largest Christmas trees anybody had ever The class also had a brief introduction to Unseen Poetry. We completed some seen! We made our way around a variety of studios P4C work where we debated whether ‘Harry Potter’ could have been written which included the CBBC presenter studio, Match as a poem; whether poetry should rhyme (well done to Pan Sakellariou for of the Day (plus Gary Lineker’s dressing room!) being so adamant it should that he wrote a poem to prove it!) and whether we where we learnt about auto-cues, augmented reality should have a National Anthem or a National Poem. I loved the response of technology, lighting techniques and much more. Joe McGuinness and Ben Royle when they exclaimed, ‘Wow, now I don’t know The team had plenty of questions and our lovely what to think!’ when we discussed William Blake’s ‘Jerusalem’ which the pupils guides Bobby and Paul were nothing but helpful. recognised as a song but didn’t realise it was a poem! Even better when the The final section was a visit to the Newsround, song featured on an advert in the middle of the rugby that evening which lots of Question of Sport and the weather presenter sets, the pupils saw. where Stephanie even tried her hand at presenting To top off a great few days of poetry, the class made their own video poem to the News, very professional and most certainly a explore the imagery, symbolism and themes in Simon Armitage’s ‘Mother, any natural. Whilst all three had a go at presenting the Distance…’ The pupils were incredibly creative, even capturing aerial shots from weather and experimenting with the ‘invisibility the Lynton Building! Thanks also to the site staff for loaning the class some cloak’ against the green screen watching their tape measures – a central metaphor in the poem. floating heads and arms on screen as a result. They Miss Hitchens ended their tour with a stroll around the Blue Peter gardens National Poetry Day 2015: Light before hopping National Poetry Day was on 8th October and this year’s theme back on the was ‘Light’. tram. A great morning had by During English lessons, Year 7, 8, 9 and 10 pupils created their own poems on all and a well- this theme, with some brilliant results! Congratulations to the following pupils deserved treat who were the winners of the National Poetry Day competition and had their for the students work displayed in the English corridor: who work so Y7: Sophie Hurlstone Y9: Cameron Stenhouse hard to keep the school displays Y8: Sam Webster Y10: Lily Hopkins-Murphy looking great. Mrs Collinge Miss Hicks

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 13 ENGLISH News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

A Doll’s House: Year 10 get to grips with ‘The Year 12 English Scottish Play’: it’s a rap! Literature Mrs Young and 10.0 have been studiously exploring Shakespeare’s ‘Macbeth’ during Year 12 English Literature created the Autumn Term. some excellent dolls’ houses last Getting to grips with the gory events, getting to know term to explore the staging, key the array of characters, examining the central themes themes and characterisation of and not least becoming expert in analysing the bard’s Ibsen’s ‘A Doll’s House’. language use, pupils have put their knowledge and creativity to the test and turned ‘rap stars’. Many a The pupils worked collaboratively and laugh was shared in planning, drafting, rehearsing, recapped their knowledge of the text, performing and even recording their own ‘Macbeth creating key quotes lists to help them raps’ for posterity and, of course, for future revision for the new linear exams. since under the new specification for GCSE English Miss Hitchens Literature, students are required to learn quotations by heart for their terminal Charlie Higson Author Visit examination. The Miss Hitchens, Mrs Ware and Mrs Mildenstein took 40 Year 8 results are extremely entertaining, not to and 9 students to Altrincham Boys Grammar to listen to the mention educational! famous author Charlie Higson speak about his final book from Much fun was had by all. ‘The Enemy’ series ‘The End’. I was chuffed to bits to meet my idol from ‘The Fast Show’ with even a brief mention of some of the show’s Y8 Inkheart Trip catchphrases; meanwhile, the students were inspired by how Books can take us to a different world. This creatively they can use language certainly proved to be true when 46 Year 8 pupils, in their own descriptive writing. accompanied by Mrs Hartley, Miss Tedford and Mrs The pupils managed to get copies Mildenstein attended a production of Inkheart at of Higson’s books signed too, ‘Home Theatre Manchester. a reward for their phenomenal The play is an adaptation of Cornelia Funke’s best- behaviour. Finally, well done to selling fantasy adventure novel for children. Visually the Hamish Gonzalez-Sweeney for production was stunning and made for a real celebration asking a question in front of the of both reading and theatre and provided a fitting end to whole audience! a hard term’s work in the English Department. Miss Hitchens Mrs Hartley

SPaG Support ‘I Love English’! This year the English and Media department each have an ‘I Along with the Year 7 tutor team, we Love English’ board in their classroom where pupils have to have issued pupils with a SPaG booklet to support them both in and out of earn a hard-won place on each board with their work. school with their literacy and language Only work with exceptional effort, progress and originality get to feature, so for learning across all lessons. the competition is tough! This was designed by staff so the content Every pupil who earns their place on the board gets a certificate and of is meaningful and useful to pupils’ studies. When pupils course, more importantly, a real sense of achievement. are completing homework they should utilise these to help Well done to all of the successful pupils them check the accuracy and fluency of their writing and do so far! feel free to test pupils on some of the key words! Similarly, Miss Hitchens under the ‘Learners’ tab on the website you will find a suite of literacy resources which pupils can complete as extra literacy support outside of school as well as reading lists and key spellings. Any extra work pupils produce will be marked gladly by their English teachers and any further reading recommendations you may wish for will also be happily provided. As Dumbledore once said, ‘Words are our most inexhaustible source of magic.’ Miss Hitchens

14 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 GEOGRAPHY News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Geographer of the Geography Rewards! Geography praise Month Worth more than their weight postcards for this Well done to all of our in gold, the Geographer badges Autumn half term geographers of the month and rubbers have become the Each half term we send out this term. Your efforts are sought after accessory of the winter season. congratulation postcards as recognised and rewarded! In a variety of colours, the badges have been awarded a department to Key Stage Keep up the good work into for excellent commitment in and outside of class for such acts as developing independent investigation 3 students who have shown 2016. through asking questions, homework efforts and real effort and progress in demonstrating Geographical September 2015 - Harvey Lees: for Geography. The following a fantastic effort in his ‘Journal of skills as well as general my journey to school’. Nominated impeccable effort. students have been chosen. by Mrs Kenny Mr Whitaker Mrs Kenny October 2015 - Thomas Pavey: for 7.1A Mia Liddell and Ethan Griffin going above and beyond every 7.2A Pooja Mehta and Lucy Kilvert Geography lesson by completing his Year 9 Coasts 7.3A Millicent Whitefield and Chloe own extra research to a very high Horrocks level. Nominated by Miss Barsoum. Some Year 9 Geography 8.1B Mia Barlow and Thomas students have been Harrison November 2015 - Angela Wisten: recently studying coastal 8.2A Ellie Swain and Daniel Roberts for her fabulous commitment to her processes and landform 8.4B Hollie Adamson and Leon controlled assessment. Nominated formation and are now equipped with the knowledge Mottram-Clough by Miss English and skills to embark on their Swanage Bay project. 9.3 Danielle Broadbent and Ellie December 2015 - Commitment and To recap the features and their knowledge students Frost level of understanding on the recent have been recreating landforms through using play Mr Whitaker coastal processes topic. Nominated dough – oh how they enjoyed creating these features by Mr Whitaker 7.5B Mollie-Jo Rotherforth and Sinead and smelling the dough! They also created innovative Sibbald Well done to all! coastal defence structures using the dough. 8.5A Luke Southern and Abbie Long Mrs Kenny Mr Whitaker 8.2B Kathryn Davies and Molly Short 9.6 Faith Bristow and Kate Abbott 9.1 Mollie Seal and Sebastian ICT News Whitehead 9.9 Mauro Pereira and Morgan Larkin Code Club Key Stage 3 Assessments Miss Barsoum This year in the ever- In Years 7 to 9 we have introduced a 7.1B Emily Speed and Callum popular code club, more rigorous testing programme to Marsland 7.3B Aimee Cleall and James Colledge we have had two assess students. 9.8 Lewis Squire and Caitlin groups of students. At the end of each unit of work pupils undertake Halfpenny Less experienced a challenging test designed to really stretch 9.5 Jakub Kessel and Aisha Shad coders have had an their ability. Students who performed best were 9.2 Lauren Tidbury and Dan Flisk introduction to the delighted to receive certificates to recognise their 8.3B Jake Bent and Katie Phillpott Python and Scratch achievements for work in the data modelling 7.4A Georgina Oakes and Charlie programming unit. Pictured from Year 8 are Jack Judge, Louis Neild languages. They Johnson, Ewan Clarke and Louis Goodwin who 8.1A Tilly Balderstone and Ben Davies look pleased, if a little surprised, to be in the also took part in the Miss English top of their year group! Special mention must Hour of Code – a 9.7 Theo Konstantinou and Imogen go to other students who performed to a very global movement to introduce students to O’Mahoney high level. Elizabeth Hayselden and Cameron Computer Science. Check out the tutorials 9.4 Charlotte Liston and Maddy Sandison both scored an incredible 97% in Year yourself at uk.code.org/learn! Daniels 7. In Year 8 Rachael Eckersley and Connor Erskine 9.0 Rebecca Riley and Thea Aldridge Some groups with more experience in coding were too shy to be pictured but performed very 7.5A Grace Cottrill and Jessica have been experimenting with the more well and Year 9 saw top scores from Thomas Gethins physical aspects of computing by creating Palmer, Sam Sparks and Natasha Cartmell. circuits including LEDs to be attached to 7.4B Fraser Holgate and Amber Kelly Raspberry Pi computers. Pictured is Sam Mr Little 7.2B Abbie Chan and Josie Watson Sparks who coded a quiz which made different lights flash depending on the A huge congratulations to everybody answer the user gives to questions. Next for their hard work and excellent effort term we will attempt to build and program this term. Keep it up!! a remote-controlled car. New recruits are always welcome to Code Club which takes Mrs Kenny place on Friday lunchtimes.

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 15 HISTORY News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Year 9 WWI Battlefields Tour In the week before half-term 39 weary looking pupils and 4 members of staff departed Wellington at 5:30am for what was a truly memorable and inspiring tour of the Battlefields of the Western Front. The pupils had a packed schedule and were able to learn first-hand the lessons of the First World War, visiting sites such as the Thiepval memorial, Tyne Cot cemetery and the Menin Gate in Ypres to name but a few. Despite an unscheduled long journey on the first day (via the M25 car park) the pupils were raring to go bright and early on the second day. The tour was led by the encyclopaedic Mike Scott and the charismatic former soldier Major Bob Darby. Both tour guides did an outstanding job of engaging the students and they really brought home the personal sacrifices made by soldiers during WWI. As a former history teacher, Mike was fantastic in encouraging students to question their surroundings, empathise with those who gave their lives, as well as explore debates about the nature of the fighting. There was a real emphasis on the lives of the individuals who fought in the war and this really struck a chord with the pupils. Mike was also able to locate the final resting places of relatives of those pupils who had given details of their relatives to him prior to the trip, such as Alicia Cole (pictured). Miss Tidbury and Mrs Roe-Bennett were also delighted when Mike had been able to locate the memorials which bore the names of their relatives. Throughout the tour the pupils conducted themselves with the upmost respect for their surroundings and were a real credit to the school – even after some incredibly tedious coach journeys! A particular highlight was the opportunity for Reece Gaulton and Ally Brooke (pictured) to lay a wreath at the Menin Gate on behalf of Wellington School in memory of those who lost their lives in WWI. Overall it was a truly beneficial trip to all of those involved and left a lasting impact for both staff and students; inspiring lessons learned from the tour to be brought into classroom teaching. The trip was a fantastic opportunity to deepen the pupils’ understanding of the importance of WWI in the run up to Remembrance Day, so much so that Mr Ashworth is currently finalising the booking for next year! Mr Scott

History CLUB ‘Mysteries of History’ club has returned and is more popular than ever! Our investigations take place in Room 47 every Thursday lunchtime and we have had some excellent discussions about a number of unsolved mysteries! The club provides a great opportunity to think objectively about some of History’s great puzzles and to voice your opinions. Here’s what Patrick Gibson of 7HCR had to say about last term’s discussions: ‘In Mysteries from History club, we look at incidents in History we have no logical explanation for. Whether it’s Jack the Ripper or the Illuminati, spooky or supernatural, we cover it and see some of spookiest images we’ll ever see! This club is possibly the most interesting club in the whole school! Maybe it’s not the most practical club, but it gives us expanded imagination and that really matters’. I agree with him completely (but did not pay or force him to say such complimentary things!). If you think that this sounds like the club for you, come along every Thursday to Room 47 at 1.05pm! Mr Gerschler

16 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 MATHS News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Number Cruncherz 80 Year 7 students visited the AJ Bell Stadium as part of the Sale Sharks Community Programme. They were given a tour of the stadium and took part in a series of financial education activities throughout the day. Scenarios included working out ticket pricing, budgeting for buying players and currency conversions. The rugby coaches then visited Wellington later in the week to run a touch rugby session with the students. The students learnt a lot over the two sessions and it was great for them to experience maths outside the classroom. Miss Latham

Year 7 Mathematical Modelling Head to head! Evening 10.0 and 10.1 competed in Around thirty parents and students from Year 7 attended mixed teams in a a Mathematics evening in the Vale Hall in November. heavily contested They were introduced to some of the changes being made to maths challenge Key Stage Three Mathematics before embarking on a series of competition in “mini” classroom activities. They took part in work about negative numbers, area and ratio plus parents got to see first-hand how November. their children learn about new topics and were able to ask the team The competition involved of Mathematics teachers on hand about anything to do with the 3 rounds; True or False, Guess the Sequence and a Relay. Well done subject. to team 10AKY for winning. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, including: “Marvellous Year 9 students from 9.0 and 9.1 also took part in a revision input and time spent with students”; “I found it really helpful as the challenge this term. They started with a team race, during which teaching methods are so different from when I was at school”; “Very students worked in groups to solve a variety of problems in as fast engaging teachers”. Thanks are due to all the Mathematics staff a time as possible, before a “quickfire” round in which they were who helped in the preparation, organisation and delivery - particular working on questions against the clock. It is hoped to repeat the thanks to Mrs Golden, who planned it and pulled it all together. activity with other classes, and other year groups, in the new term. Miss Latham Miss Latham

Year 12 Mathematics Problem Solving Conference UK Senior Mathematics Three AS Level Mathematics students Joel James, Michael Dillon Challenge and Ben Williamson attended Manchester University to put their In November, Sixth Form students Jemma brains to the test with a carousel of maths problems ranging from a Crosby, Eleanor Cole and Euan Macdonald mathematical ‘treasure hunt’ to a proof of Pythagoras’ Theorem. competed against other North West schools They enjoyed a talk from local celebrity Mathematician Katie Steckles, who in the regional finals of the UK Mathematics introduced them to some of the 6 millennium prize problems – each of these Challenge at the University of Manchester. unsolved problems carry an award of one million dollars to anyone able to solve them. Wellington may even have some future challengers for one of those Their determined team efforts, problem solving $1,000,000 prizes! skills and competitive spirit in all the rounds were exemplary. Miss Cradick Miss Latham

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 17 MFL News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Susana García Year 7 French Spelling Bee Year 12 Spanish pupils All Year 7 pupils are currently taking part in the first stage of the have been incredibly Routes into Languages Spelling Bee. lucky this term as Susana French classes have been working hard to learn a list of 50 French words, which they have had García, a Spanish native, to spell out loud under timed conditions using the French alphabet. Two winners from each class will has kindly volunteered her be selected and will then progress to the next round of competitions, set to be held in February. The time to work with pupils winners from round two will then go on to learn a further 50 French words, and hopefully will make it to the Regional Finals in Manchester in March. We are incredibly impressed with pupils’ efforts so far! as a Foreign Language Well done Year 7! Bravo! Assistant. Miss Weeks She travels to Wellington from Prestwich on a weekly basis and works with pupils in small Peer Mentoring groups to help them with their Our students have been doing a fantastic job this term conversational skills. Susana has carrying out a peer mentoring programme. been preparing and delivering engaging lessons related to Galaxy Henry in Year 13 has been supporting Mrs Williams’ superstars the AS scheme of work and in 11H in their speaking test preparation, giving advice and practice. incorporates authentic resources Year 12, 11 and 10 students have been meeting on a weekly basis into her teaching. A huge thank with key stage three students in order to provide a little extra you from both staff and pupils for support in Spanish and German. In addition, two of our year 12 giving up your free time Susana! French students have been into Mrs Williams’ year 9 dual linguist group to act as teaching assistants. The commitment and dedication of our students never ceases to Miss Weeks amaze and is very much appreciated. A very big thank you to all our mentors!

Meeting the Mayor of Trafford On Tuesday 29th September 15 German students from Fellbach near Stuttgart had the pleasure of meeting the Mayor of Trafford. Wellington School and AGSB run an annual German exchange, whereby students are offered the opportunity to spend a week and were greeted by the Mayor’s Attendant, is!” but went on to say “I have not done an immersed in someone else’s life; learning who led them through to be welcomed by engagement yet that I haven’t enjoyed. And about the other’s culture, language, Cllr Holden and his wife, Christine Holden. that includes today. You’re a lot less trouble education and daily routine. The exchange A very pleasant and unexpected surprise than the councillors!” has been running for some 15 years, and awaited them, as the Mayor proceeded to students from both the German school – After refreshments in the Mayor’s Parlour, address the group in near-perfect German, Friedrich Schiller Gymnasium – and the two it was off out into the sunshine for making them feel immediately relaxed and English schools benefit greatly from the photographs in the centre courtyard of somewhat honoured. experience. Trafford Town Hall’s impressive grounds. The group were taken to the Council The teachers, the Mayor and Mayoress all This year, a slight adjustment was made to Chamber, where they enjoyed an agreed that this had been an insightful the familiar itinerary with the addition of a explanation of Council proceedings, before morning for the German students, and visit to Trafford Town Hall for an audience being encouraged to test out the impressive the start of a new tradition for the schools with the Mayor of Trafford, Councillor John technology in the Chamber. Gradually, as involved. Holden. The group duly arrived at 11 o’clock the students became braver, they pressed Mrs Ramsumair their red buttons to pose questions to the Mayor, and were delighted when their faces appeared on the TV screen above them and their microphones sprang into action so that their question could be heard by everyone present. The Mayor patiently and attentively listened to their questions and replied with interesting, anecdotal responses. One boy asked Cllr Holden “Are there any things that you don’t like in your job?” The Mayor replied by saying “Some mornings, you don’t know what day it

18 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 MFL News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

El toro se llama Juan European Day of Languages Congratulations to Jack Hindmarch On Friday 25th September, Wellington 8ZSE celebrated European Day of Languages, Congratulations to Jack Hindmarch 8ZSE organised by Miss Weeks. 52 pupils who won a selection box in December by across all year groups signed up to give correctly guessing the name of the bull on pupils from Years 7 and 8 an insight into a our Instagram page; @wellington_mfl. There new foreign language. were some superb suggestions from pupils and staff! El toro se llama ‘Juan’. This wasn’t the typical French, German or Spanish that we learn in usual MFL lessons at Wellington, Miss Weeks but instead there was a variety of exciting languages to catch a glimpse of such as Xhosa, Albanian and Polish to name a few. During the carousel of languages there was a variety of different activities. For example, you could learn how to write ‘my name is’ in Cantonese or even how to sign your name in Sign Language. There were a staggering 17 different languages that pupils could learn from their peers! Not only this but some linguists also brought in items of traditional dress, typical foods, cultural pictures and trinkets with them too. This was a fantastic way to see how other cultures live and gave the A huge thank you (in every language) pupils a better understanding of other languages that they could be learning. must be given to all of the staff and pupils who helped out throughout the day and I’m sure that one of the things that we are all interested in when learning about a new contributed towards its success! culture is their food, so Mrs Williams, with the help of Year 10 girls, set up a beautiful arrangement of different snacks from all over the world for pupils to try at the ‘International Holly Rundle 12AWS café’. It was particularly entertaining to see some of the Year 8 boys trying some more commonly available foods like brie for the first time! In addition to this event, all pupils did a language related quiz during tutor time, Year 7 pupils completed a celebrity linguist badge quiz and there was Dutch Club and a Year 8 international football quiz at lunch time. The fact that European Day of Languages has been celebrated for eight years at Wellington now, proves just how much of a success it is and how beneficial it is for the pupils. The pupils behaved impeccably for yet another year and seemed to really enjoy learning about a new language from some of their peers. The event ran smoothly throughout periods 1-4 and all pupils behaved in a professional manner when approaching a new language, which was great to see.

Year 12 Trip to Madrid Having left behind a typical, rainy Monday morning in Manchester for the blue skies of Madrid, our group, made up of seven AS Spanish students, accompanied by Miss Weeks and Mrs Wilson, set off on the underground for our first taste of traditional Spanish culture. After attending an insightful lesson at a local Spanish school, we set out on the hunt for the best tapas in town. With full stomachs and our Spanish skills already improving, we still found room for world-famous churros. Day two consisted of an open top bus tour (of course with Spanish audio!) where we explored the Christmassy capital city of Spain as well as meeting up with Beatrice, Miss Weeks’ Spanish friend. Whilst we enjoyed our Menú Del Día, Miss Weeks made us speak to Beatrice in Spanish and we asked her lots of questions that are covered on our course. We then explored the Retiro Park, completing language-learning activities in the style of a treasure hunt. We then experienced the Corte Inglés Christmas Show and watched the new James Bond film at a local cinema, with Spanish subtitles of course! After browsing the shops on the last day, Christmas presents wrapped up safely in our suitcases, we commenced our journey home to Manchester. A huge thank you goes to Miss Weeks and Mrs Wilson for taking us on such a wonderful trip and providing us with the confidence to practise and improve our Spanish skills. It was a truly unforgettable, yet educational city break. ¡Hasta la próxima Madrid! Rachael Smith 12JCK

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 19 MUSIC News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Christmas Fair Carol Service Thanks to our Year Thanks to Rev. Bridgman and all at Christ Church who 10 musicians who welcome us to their church. All ensembles ensured that they maintained the high quality that the local entertained visitors at community has come to expect from Wellington the Christmas Fair with performances and it was lovely to see so many past their medley of carols students in the congregation. The readings were also and songs to really set of an extremely high standard and I really enjoyed the the festive scene in the Peace Babies presentation. Who knew that about jelly Dining Hall. babies? Mrs Moorhouse As if the students participating had not worked hard enough in the build-up and delivery of the Carol Service this year, we decided to give Years 7, 8 & 9 a taste of what they missed and also an opportunity Graded Exams to participate in the Carol Service. Once again the Make sure you let Mrs Moorhouse know of all your achievements if you students worked extremely hard for 3 solid hours to complete any music exams outside of school. produce performances that matched, if not exceeded Congratulations to Alex Bugg 7HCR for passing his Grade 2 guitar examination the quality displayed at Christ Church. Well worth the with 74% and Callum Brown 7VLE for passing his grade 2 trumpet with merit. reward of pizzas delivered at lunchtime! And finally congratulations to Rachel in 11MBH on successfully auditioning for Mrs Moorhouse the 2nd year running to take part in the RNCM youth theatre in their production of Cabaret. We’ll keep you posted on her progress and when we can go and watch her at the Royal Northern. Chetham’s School of Music Visit Mrs Moorhouse Former pupil, Katy Allan, successfully auditioned for and won a place at Chetham’s School of Music to further Certificate Evening develop her vocal and instrumental studies as well as Instrumental completing her A-Levels. Despite being very sad to lose The first musical event of 2015 one of our most committed and talented students, we Lessons were all very proud of her achievement. To show our was the contribution made by support, a group of Year 11 Music students went to our elder musicians to Certificate A reminder to students Chetham’s to hear Katy’s first lunchtime recital. Katy Evening in September. that instrumental lessons was the only vocalist performing during the recital and we were also given the opportunity to hear 2 cellists The students demonstrated their will carry on from term to and a clarinet player. As you would expect the quality commitment by giving up all their term. lunchtimes to ensure that the of the performances performances were of the highest quality. Also, you must ensure that were first class, and A special thank you to three of our you are involved in at least 1 it was an absolute members who took on lead roles in the musical extra curricular activity experience to performances: Georgia Brennan 10AKY, this half term. Likewise, please visit and watch a Rachel Quirk 11 MBH and Joseph Cardoza come and grab a letter if you’d performance in this 11MGN who as well as taking lead roles like to take advantage of our historic school. Well in both Sing performances, sang ‘Bring very competitively priced Music done Katy. Him Home’ from ‘Les Miserables’. It was Service. Mrs Moorhouse a performance which earned Joseph a well-deserved standing ovation. Mrs Moorhouse Mrs Moorhouse Year 7 BBC Ten Pieces Cinema Screening Extra-curricular activities We took the whole of Year 7 to Vue Cinema We’d love to see more of you getting involved in the Music in Altrincham in October to watch a special making here at Wellington School. screening of the BBCs Ten Pieces Concert. The choirs will be working towards the Bowdon Youth Festival in February The Ten Pieces project aims to open up the world of throughout this half term. New members are always welcome. The Music classical music to young people, inspiring them to Bulletin has details of all extra curricular activities run by the Music listen to and develop their own creative responses Department. This term sees the beginning of two new ensembles. Mr Dey to the music. These pieces will be used as a basis will be running Ukulele Sevens on Monday lunchtimes for Year 7 students for a number of projects throughout the KS3 music who would like to become more confident when playing the ukulele whilst I curriculum. will be running a guitar and ukulele ensemble for more confident and older If any parents would like to listen to the Ten Pieces students. Rehearsals for this will take place on a Wednesday lunchtime. Miss there are various performances on the BBC catch-up Carter will be leading Wellington School Band rehearsals for the remainder of service iPlayer and there are a number of free apps this term. The bulletin is published weekly and on display in tutor rooms and and resources for parents on the BBC Ten Pieces also on the This Week section of the website. website. Mrs Moorhouse Mrs Moorhouse

20 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 PE News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

really rallied Indoor Athletics together for The Year 7 and 8 teams competed in the Trafford Indoor Athletics Wellington. It was Championship in Lostock. a pleasure to see them participate. With only limited training the boys were going up against the best The Year 8 team athletes in Trafford. Both teams (pictured) performed fantastically well qualified for with the Year 7 team coming second overall and the Year 8 team winning the second it for the second consecutive year. I was extremely proud of the team year running who never gave up, even when faced with the adversity of slipping in to represent some races. The Allan twins were the men of the day helping the team Trafford in the to win the 4x1 lap relay, 2 lap race and 4x2 lap relay. There were plenty Greater Manchester of other notable achievements too such as Carl Smith winning the 6 Indoor Athletics Championship which will take place later this year. lap race, Ethan Steward winning the shot putt as well as Harvey Lees, I know you, as I, will wish them the best of luck and try to improve on Ben Lawson, Derel Clarke and Ollie Anderson winning the 4x 2 lap relay their 4th position last year. to name a few. I was extremely impressed with the boys’ attitude and encouragement of each other, especially across year groups too. They Mr Gubbins

Year 7 Rugby Year 9 Rugby Since I began to promote rugby here at Wellington in my The year 9 rugby team have produced some great first year as Head in 2012, September has brought a sense rugby in the first term, finishing with 4 wins and 2 of eager anticipation. losses. It’s been a bit like a ‘lucky dip’ – you never quite know what you’re going The first game saw the boys lose to a physical Ashton on Mersey to get. When I looked down details prior to our first training session, my team at home. They soon bounced back with a big win away at excitement grew, as numbers were high and there was a fair amount of Congleton 65-5. Following the Congleton win, the team came playing experience; more than the average smattering of boys who had 2nd in the Rugby World Cup Emerging School Competition. This played at Altrincham Kersal, Sale and Bowdon. The potential was evident tournament saw many new players make their debuts for the team. from the outset and we were confident for our first (very early) encounter With a total of 8 schools in the tournament, 2nd place was a great with Stretford Grammar, now established as our annual season opener. achievement. Another impressive win away at Sale Grammar 47-20 We were by far the superior team and played some fantastic rugby but saw the team’s good form continuing. Unfortunately, a handful of unfortunately they had the ‘big lad’ who scored a hat-trick and the game, cancelled fixtures meant the boys had to wait a few weeks until frustratingly, finished 3 tries each. Cameron Davenport, in his first game their next fixture. St Ambrose away was the final fixture before of rugby, was particularly impressive. Christmas. This game was always going to be tough but with unavailability through injury and schools trips to key players, the Victories followed against Ashton on Mersey, Congleton and Sale boys struggled and fell to their 2nd loss. In the run up to Christmas Grammar and the boys’ skill level and game awareness developed. The the boys got the opportunity to be coached by a variety of Aviva addition of Ethan, ‘the Colossus’ Steward to the squad was also a real Premiership side Sale Sharks players and backroom staff. This bonus. Defeats against Lymm High (twice) and St Ambrose were no was a great experience for all players involved, and hopefully they disgrace and we competed well in most aspects of the game but showed will be able to take what they learnt from the day into their up and a degree of naivety, unsurprisingly, at times. We should acknowledge coming fixtures. that these are both very well established rugby schools with boys with, generally, far greater rugby experience. With commitment to training, Mr Higginson there is no reason why we cannot close the gap in time. Unfortunately, we have had a number of cancellations due to the weather and, therefore, lost a bit of momentum. The boys have been training Cross Country – Year 7, 8, 9, 10. well, however, and should be confident of further success in the Spring Wellington competed in the Trafford Schools Cross Term. Country competition in December. I must say a huge well done to all the boys, as their attitude has been We fielded both boys and girls teams for all events and competed commendable on the whole, particularly those new to the game. As very well against tough competition. Congratulations to all pupils we move forward, I am looking for the more experienced boys to show that were involved who all worked incredibly hard in each of their real leadership and maturity to help us improve more swiftly. If we are races. Results as follows; Year 7 Girls – 8th, Year 7 Boys – 5th, Year going to compete in South Africa in 2017, we are going to have to work 8/9 Girls – 6th, Year 8/9 Boys – 9th, Year 10/11 Girls – 3rd, Year incredibly hard! 10/11 Boys – 3rd. S P Beeley Mr Higginson Year 9 Netball Year 10 Netball The Year 9 Netball team have had another excellent term. The Year 10 Netballers finished the season The girls have won all of their games, including an excellent victory against on a high with a win against BTH. their strongest rivals Sale Grammar, beating them 18-7. The girls have The girls have played well all term, but have had progressed through to the Trafford semi finals, having won their group and some really tough games against strong opposition. face Stretford Grammar away. This term sees us play in the finals and the end In their final game of the season they managed to of season tournament, where we should face some tougher competition. pip BTH by one goal! What a way to end the term! Miss Hodges Miss Hodges

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 21 PE News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Duke of Edinburgh Year 7 Basketball This year marked the first The Year 7’s recorded an unbeaten season in year of the Duke of Edinburgh their first year at Wellington finishing with 5 presentation evening. wins from 5 games. There were over 100 people in attendance and the whole evening was In their 5 games Wellington managed to score over a huge success. It was a time to reflect, 150 points producing some outstanding basketball. praise and reward the pupils for all their hard work and sacrifice over the last 12 months. The season started with a tough away win at The feedback from staff, pupils and parents was fantastic. They liked the informal structure North Cestrian. With this being the first game and to the night and the fact they could mix and talk to other parents, pupils and staff after the some players new to basketball, the team looked ceremony itself. a bit rusty first half but soon started to show their potential. The following game saw Wellington host The Duke of Edinburgh award is growing in popularity among Wellington students each year Broadoak. This was one of the performances of and consequently, we have decided to run the Silver award this year, and hopefully we will the season with all players contributing to a big take on around 20 of the dedicated and enthusiastic pupils pictured below. win, notching over 60 points. Sale High were the Mr Gubbins next team to travel to Wellington. Wellington again produced some impressive basketball to record their 3rd win. BTH were next up and although the boys Year 7 and 8 Girls Hockey struggled at times, they managed to secure their 4th A very dark Thursday held win and set up a big final game against St Ambrose. This proved to be Wellington’s toughest fixture with a great challenge for the St Ambrose really putting Wellington under pressure young hockey teams. for big parts of the game. Despite this, Wellington Both Years 7 and 8 played Sale produced some outstanding basketball of their own Grammar on our home pitch and and secured their final win to go unbeaten. Both Mr despite some great tackles and Tomlinson and I have been really impressed with the fantastic teamwork, both teams attitude and effort of all players this term. were defeated. All the girls #GLOBETROTTERS thoroughly enjoyed the chance to demonstrate the skills they Mr Higginson have been learning from the Timperley Hockey Club coaches Caroline and Duncan, plus the weekly help of Emily Ross from Boys Hockey vs Sale Year 12. A big well done Grammar to Jessica Wardle who was awarded The Key Stage 3 and 4 boys teams the girl of the played their first game this term. game for the Year A tough opposition made it hard work for the lads 7 game and to but they fought on nonetheless. The KS3 game Anna Bugg who was a close call and goals were imminent yet both received the award defensive lines made it a great match. The final for the Year 8 score was a 2-1 defeat with Brandon Lane receiving team. man of the match. Miss Richards Our year 10 boys played against Sale Grammar’s Year 11 team so it was destined to be tough. With only a few of our lads playing regularly we had a great match but sadly lost. Oli Brockett (captain) said he was pleased with the team’s performance Year 9 Girls Hockey but gutted to have lost. The Year 9 team have trained relentlessly since Year 7 and are now getting Miss Richards used to playing full pitch 11 a-side games on a more regular basis. We began against Sale Grammar and found they have a few star players who played up a year. This made the game a much greater challenge thus the score line did not go in our favour. Jess Grundy was voted girl of the game. We have since played the Year 10 GCSE girls where we successfully beat them and Ella Richards was given girl of the game. Miss Richards

Ross from Year 12. We began with a game against prepared but it was a challenging game. The final Year 7 Netball AOM which we narrowly won for the A team and score had just one goal between us but it was in Thanks to the efforts of last year’s GCSE then a tournament for the B and C teams. What their favour. We now play Urmston Grammar in sports leaders we already had an idea of a superb start to the year. We followed this with the semi-final to see who gets into the Trafford wins against all other Trafford South schools, but Schools final. Well done to all those who have the talent set to arrive in September. we knew BTH would be our toughest match. It fell played this year, but a special mention to Isabela We were overwhelmed with the number of girls just before Christmas on a dark and drizzly night. Bandiera-Leigh who has scored most of the goals attending netball sessions and were grateful to Both ourselves and BTH had won all their games and received girl of the game most often! have extra help from Mrs Thomson and Emily so far so this was the decider. We were well Miss Richards

22 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 PE News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Year 9 Football This Girl Can…Dance… Having had a disappointing season Lancashire County Cricket Club are promoting the ‘This Girl Can’ scheme and have been coming last time out we wanted to start into Wellington since November to create a dance linked mixed with martial arts. brightly and impose ourselves upon Year 8 girls had sessions where they learned a double punch and kick sequence which they then used every team we play to create a dance. Natasha, the co-coordinator is a World Champion in kick boxing and has taught Trials were full of talent and it was the girls some moves which involved pads and gloves, yet the actual dance will be a non-contact difficult to choose between everyone. piece with Justin Bieber as their choice The squad was picked and we packed of music. The performance of this event our bags to Sale High where we showed will be in late January and we will get to our true capabilities and dominated see the three other schools Natasha has from start to finish winning the game been helping in a showcase of dance. 11-0 with Jordan Ruchat as man of the Please wish Lauren McKendry, Ella Percy, match and many players in different Caitlin Maguire, Freya Mulvey, Holly positions. “The Messiah, the messiah” Evans, Amelia Karabedian, Rebecca Court, I hear you cry!!!! as the team marched Yasmin Ennis, Michelle Chen, Niamh on to two games in two days and what McLoughlin, Amelia Atack, Natasha was perceived to be our toughest Ellams and Daisy Joynson luck in their opponents in BTH and Sale Grammar. forthcoming performance! We played well against BTH and won Miss Richards 4-2 with thunderbolts from Jayden Brady and James Buckley. We then played Sale Grammar and dominated Year 13 PE trip the game winning 5-1 – this was our Year 13 A2 PE students went on a trip to the National Football Museum this term. best performance of the season so far. The team worked tirelessly for each The students travelled with Miss Hodges by tram to the museum in the centre of Manchester. After other and we scored one of the best spending time looking at the exhibits and having a go at some the interactive exhibitions the students team goals I have seen at schoolboy were able to listen to a lecture from a sport historian. The information they gathered links in well with the level with one touch passing and Oli contemporary syllabus they are covering, and they have lots of extra examples to use in their essays. I Senescall finishing it. George Stelfox have no doubt this will aid their essay writing and lead to stronger exam answers in the summer. and Tom Carr both picked up man of the Miss Hodges match awards and both are developing well. We finished against ACA at home and won 5-0 with Jaydon Brady Year 8 stunt group ‘Krypton’ dominating the game. With Broadoak not having a team we finished the The girls from the Year 8 stunt group have season as South Trafford league rehearsed many times over the last few months champions awaiting the results from the north Trafford league to see who and did a three-hour rehearsal the night before we play in the play-offs. The team have the performance! been a pleasure to work with and the Megan Monk from 8NTN choreographed the entire routine progress of all players is impressive. which is a fantastic achievement from someone so young. A budding super star I’m sure you’ll agree! Well done to Amy Year 11 football Mollard, Megan Monk, Faye Oldbury, Aimee Linney, Katie Davies, Darcy Popplewell, Lauren McKendry, Mia Barlow and It was a slow start for the Year 11 Holly Kirkwood. team as we had two games cancelled early on but we started on the 9th Miss Richards October away at newcomers North Cestrian. The pitch was huge and we played well Cheer-tastic with two players on debut and trying a On Wednesday 2nd new formation. It didn’t work and we December Year 7 and 8 were 1-1 at half time, we changed back to our normal formation and ended up cheerleaders went to George winning the game 5-1 with a great goal Carnell Leisure Centre in from Ricky Pereira. We then played Urmston with many other our nemesis, BTH, and after drawing schools. last year we were keen to put things right. It was a tight game which was We showed our dances and they performed for great to watch and we snatched it late us. They were all brilliant, with pom poms and chanting - it was great fun! Before each dance everyone on through Toby McAughtrie 1-0. The chanted, ‘Let’s go XX, let’s go’ with each team name included and after each dance we chanted, ‘We are following week we played Broadoak proud of you, say we are proud of you, ooooh let’s go’. away again on astroturf and again a The Year 7s performance was on fourth and later it was the Year 8’s turn to do their fantastic dance. Soon 1-0 margin thanks to Josh Wilkinson, after it was the Year 8 stunt group who did some amazing and unbelievably good stunts where they threw although it should have been more. So Aimee, Lauren and Amy in the air and held them up really high. Afterwards we were allowed to have a we have games against Sale High, Sale massive dance with all the other performers to some seasonal songs. Grammar and ACA still to play. We had a great time and have already started our next routine, using some new moves and a new song Mr Tomlinson too! By Emily Speed and Hannah Gibson 7ARI

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 23 SCIENCE News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Chemistry Week 2015 ScienceClub The Science department celebrated Chemistry week In Science club last term, between the 16th and 20th of November. The theme was pupils grew mould structures, performed an eye ball ‘Chemistry Everywhere’. dissection, and made All KS3 groups took part in three special lessons looking at Chemistry personalised Christmas in everyday situations. crackers for the Christmas holidays. Pupils were In the first lesson they investigated how fruit could be used to make challenged to perform these a battery and found that different sizes of citrus fruits produced activities using their scientific different results, and also realised that you needed two different skills, demonstrating what it metals as electrodes to get the greatest voltage. takes to be a true scientist. In the second lesson the pupils looked at the chemicals found in food Miss Tan and investigated which household substances could be used to mix oil and water and act as emulsifiers. For example, they found that mustard was good at mixing the oil and water, but that sugar had no effect. Physics students in In the final lesson the pupils had a go at making bath bombs which London left a wonderful aroma in the department! In November, A good week for all involved. 17 A-level Mrs Brown Science students KS3 Praise Postcards ventured to the capital city to experience a unique Scientific This half term Science staff were asked to nominate 2 pupils from opportunity. each of their KS3 classes whom they felt had performed to a high standard all half term. Before the main event itself the students got to explore London’s Science and Natural Each pupil nominated received a praise postcard and a special ‘Wellington Super History museum. The walk around Hyde Park’s Scientist’ pencil. The pupils rewarded are listed below. Congratulations Super “Winter Wonderland” made us feel a little more Scientists! Mrs Brown Christmassy too! We were also able to explore the sights at Wembley stadium which was near Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 to the hotel where we were staying. Some Oliver Hancock Lillie Harrie Gah Lan Jolley students think that they even got a glimpse of Callum Brown Oliver Philpotts Sam Pegg the X-Factor judges who had been filming on Jessica Wardle Oliver Mann Rebecca Williams the Sunday night at Wembley! Students were Rory Jones Adam Niles Callum Everitt ready to jump into the water fountain outside Becky Honeyman Isabelle Leslie Emily Banwell the Stadium for a photo opportunity, but this led to much amusement when some of them were Kiya Lau Emily Hewitt Anna Parums subjected to an impromptu shower! Kye Kendrick-McFarland Aimee Linney Ghazal Motazedian The next day we had a short stop in Leicester Natalie Sparks Reece Glassbrook Ailsa Robertson Square and China Town before we headed off Hannah El-Qedeh Jacob Samuels Kevin Carson to Piccadilly Theatre to listen to 3 seminars Emily Bucksey Rebekah Court Rebecca Riley given by Simon Watt, Andreas Sella and Brian Farah El Katouri Jack Hindmarch Aimee Sutton Cox. Each gave a fascinating insight into their Harvey Lees Erica Morris Florence Davies-Collins chosen Science and we learnt how something as Glory Bristow Dylan Jones Lucy Wadeson simple as ice is well and truly unique and how Emily Atkinson Couteney Disley James Buckley the genetics of comic book superheroes can be found in everyday people. In 1 hour, Professor Evangelia Boukouri Omar Abunasra Eve Selwood-Metcalfe Cox also (somehow) managed to discuss Alex Cheng Sinead Leech Samuel Sparks theories behind the minute (the fundamental Melissa Gee Zack Noble Rebecca Henry particles that make up everything) to the Abbie Le Boutillier Rhiannon Mcmahon Hannah Kayes massive (the starting of the Universe). The Sally Thorley Francesca Renwick Bradley Malakouti students seemed to really enjoy themselves and William Threader Rory Johnson Cameron Minchington-Edwards the event even challenged their own perceptions Deepshika Srikanth Daisy Joynson of the different Sciences. Overall it was a truly inspiring trip out and hopefully this has Liam Beech encouraged our Scientists to look beyond what Evan Johnson we learn in the curriculum. A signed picture of Teejay Mills Brian Cox sits proudly in the folders of some of the A-level Physics students and hopefully that Jake Munday will inspire them to do well in their exams! Madeline Rogerson Miss Lee

24 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 SCIENCE News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

how to create holes and structure STEM club their turbine. STEM club has been a roaring success with Year 7. Overall, there was a range of We started to look at how we could design a home-made wind highly aesthetically pleasing wind turbine to be able to lift a cup full of pennies off the floor. Some turbines, ranging from those using great ideas were offered, and some of the designs were excellent. windscreen wipers as blades, to Pupils considered what makes a good wind turbine, from the size of the resourceful use of glue guns for the blades to the type of material used. attaching the pieces together. This competition ran for around 7 weeks and culminated in a final We were incredibly impressed with competition to see whose turbine could lift the heaviest cup! the developing engineering skills shown by all pupils involved –Well The winning team (Felix Hoxley, done! Look out for our next STEM Eren Sayan, Thomas Pavey & endeavours which will involve Jack Ryan) managed to lift 100g building a mock ‘Bloodhound’ of masses of the floor! for KS4 pupils, and a Lego Robot The range of wind turbines challenge for KS3. were excellent, and pupils had The Stemettes, considered the size, shape and orientation of the blades, which Miss Tyrer, Miss Carter & Miss materials were best to use, Latham.

Biology Week This year, Biology Week celebrated World Fungi Day by performing mushroom dissections, growing the most impressive mould structures and baking hundreds of Biology-related cakes as part of the Great Biology Bake Off. Mrs Hoogenberg and Mrs Booth had a wonderful time judging the bakes! We were overwhelmed by the Bake Off response to National Biology Week and how some of the cakes were used to raise money for the Year 10 bake sale in aid of the Teenage Cancer Trust. Thank you to all the pupils (and parents) for their delicious efforts!

Politics Society Order, order! It’s been a busy term for Wellington’s fledging Politics Society. Established after the General Election in May, the society is really starting to grow, with new members joining the regular political enthusiasts each week. A number of topics have been discussed, including whether the UK should seek to leave the European Union, if the UK should intervene in Syria and whether only English MPs should vote on matters that affect England. One discussion that provoked the most passionate debate was whether cultural appropriation was appropriate – a topic suggested for discussion by members of the society. The standard of debate has been very high – and at times heated! – and the students have conducted their discussions with a maturity and a respect for opinions that differ to their own. We are always encouraging new members to join, so if you have an interest in politics and on what is going on in the UK and around the world, or have a topic or issue you would like to discuss, come and see us on Wednesday lunchtimes in Wellington’s very own Debating Chamber (otherwise known as room 8)! Mr D Williams

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 25 YEAR 7, 9, 10, 11 News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

Year 7 Mentoring Year 7 Year 7 have teamed up with Year 10 for a whole year Last term was a very busy one for the new Year 7s. group peer mentoring programme on a Friday which Not only did they have to contend with a new school, new teachers means that every student in Year 7 is paired with a and a new complicated timetable, they also had to face some of their fears at their Bonding Day back in September at ‘Challenge for student in Year 10. Change’ in Trafford Park. Bonding Day is Wellington School’s annual The programme follows a set discussion from a booklet that the trip to allow Year 7s to make new friends out of the classroom. students fill in and the feedback from staff and students has Pupils participated in various fun, physical and mental activities been very positive. I have particularly enjoyed walking around to encourage team building skills which in turn inspired their and seeing the conversations the students were having. I have confidence to face a new start at Wellington School. to commend the Year 10 students for their maturity with the Moving on from there, their next fun activity was the annual programme and Year 7 for their honesty in their responses. There Halloween Disco! The evening was brilliant and the pupils did not is a real buzz about classrooms as students are discussing how let us down, showing their fantastic array of costumes including they learn best and developing action plans on how to move zombies, ghosts, bats and skeletons with staff also joining in with forward each week. It was great to see good discussions about their own scary collection of outfits! 6th Formers assisted in running school life in a respectful environment. the disco and organising side stalls including ‘apple-bobbing’, ‘name Mr Tomlinson the dog’ and ‘pin the nose on the witch’! Prizes were given out to the best dressed, so well done to Stanley Cameron in his headless creation and Milaan Davies as a blood curdling Zombie! The night was finished by a wonderful show by the Year 7s to their parents of the ‘Thriller’ dance choreographed by Miss Richards. A scary sight for sure! Mrs Haley

Year 9 Year 9 students have been busy looking at possible subject options for the start of Year 10 and their GCSEs. They have completed a range of activities during tutor time to encourage them to think about their individual strengths, as well as their long term plans including careers, colleges and university to help them make informed choices. Students have also had talks from the Connexions adviser and an assembly delivered by the University of Manchester to increase awareness of further education. 15 lucky Year 9 students also had the opportunity Year 11 to attend the University of Manchester in November to further The Autumn term was incredibly busy for Year 11. enhance their understanding of higher education. Students had a tour of the university and an opportunity to speak to students After a long and restful summer holiday, all pupils were as part of a question and answer session. A similar trip to Chester faced with meetings with mentors, discussions about grades University has been organised for the start of the Spring Term, predicted from Year 10, results from the Science and PE which will feature 80 Year 9 students. exams and setting their own ‘outstanding’ targets for the In addition to all the work on GCSE options, Year 9 students have end of Year 11 to add that extra bit of challenge. again had the opportunity to shine via the Year Group rewards All subject departments have required pupils to put a lot system. Each tutor group nominates a ‘Tutee of the Fortnight’. of effort into their controlled assessments and ensure they Nominations can be based upon a range of criteria and successes, were mostly completed by the Christmas holidays. I have from academic to non-academic and sustained progress to been told by several Heads of Department that this has been improvement. Each student is then placed into a fortnightly prize extremely successful and the outcomes have been mostly draw with the opportunity to win anything from vouchers to a can of baked beans! All nominees receive a praise postcard home. A positive. The final challenge Year 11 faced was the first set massive well done to all the nominees, and in particular to Alisha of mock exams in December. Pupils completed these in the Bhudia, Rebecca Riley and Jack Griffiths. These students won space of two weeks, some found the experience a shock to Trafford Centre vouchers of £25 (Alisha), £50 (Rebecca), and £75 the system and ultimately a timely ‘wake-up’ call heading (Jack) in a prize draw during the end of term reward celebrations. towards the summer. The top 50 performing students were included in the draw for their I have to say that most of the year group have made consistent effort and hard work throughout the Autumn Term, exceptional progress, which bodes well for the summer. I and the lucky aforementioned names were drawn at random. A lovely early Christmas present! Finally a massive well done to all hope that the same level of commitment and effort is shown the students who achieved 100% attendance and punctuality for by every single pupil in Year 11 in the Spring term. We are this term, you will be entered into a prize draw on the first week now approaching the finishing line and I am optimistic that back, and to 9KJS who won the tutor competition and will receive a Year 11 can break all previous records for GCSE. reward breakfast after the Christmas break. Mr R Williams Miss Tidbury and Mr Manifould

26 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 YEAR 7, 9, 10, 11 News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Fundraising for Macmillan Year 10 Christmas Party Wellington staff generously donated a huge Year 10 ended the Christmas term on £314 during the Macmillan Coffee Morning a high with their Christmas party. held in September - our highest figure yet! Lots of prizes including vouchers, sweets and After four years, the competition has become fierce chocolate were given out to reward students with staff voting the Music department the ‘Most for excellent behaviour and attendance. Creative Cake’ and the ICT department, ‘Best Bake’. We also celebrated form victories with JSH Well done to Mrs Johnson and Mrs Cook who were winning the attendance league, JEH winning rewarded with some sweet treats for their hard work! the punctuality league, GHN winning the A special thank you should go to Mr Poole’s wife behaviour league and JLM winning the for baking her famous coffee cake and Mrs Ware’s ‘Behaviour Watch’ league! An excellent way daughter for her gorgeously baked contribution. to end a fantastic first term. This event is hugely important Miss Hodges in raising much needed funds for Macmillan so thank you to all who took part, donated and ate cake. Year 10 Peer Educators Mrs McDonnell A team of Year 10 students have taken part in the Peer Educator Programme this term. Students completed their training over October Half term and numerous after school sessions. In these sessions they learnt how to plan lessons, engage learners, differentiate and manage behaviour. They then planned 2 lessons that they have been in to Year 8 forms to deliver! All of the groups planned excellent lessons, and I’ve had lots of positive feedback from Year 8 tutors! Well done girls! Miss Hodges

PSA News

covered by the School official budget that Parent Staff Association will benefit our pupils. Hopefully, some We started the fundraising this year of you will have seen the wonderful bench in October with a family Fun Night seating around the site for yourselves, or heard about it from your children – bought of bingo and quizzes with over 100 with some of the proceeds from previous parents and assorted-sized children fundraising years. Our target this academic joining us, it was certainly a fun year is to raise £6,500 and we look to be well social event to start the year. on our way. Wouldn’t it be fabulous to have some canopies over the seating to make it Rapidly heading to Christmas, planning for more weather-friendly? the Christmas Fair and recruiting stall holders began more or less straight after this. A visit Please, do come along to our informal from Father Christmas in his vintage bus was meetings, we’re a friendly bunch and dates the icing on the cake for our most successful of the meetings are on the website under Christmas Fair yet and the coffers from these the ‘Parents’ tab. Next meeting is Monday two events alone stand at just over £4,000. 7th March, 7pm in the LRC where we will A massive thanks to all helpers, parents be planning for the next event – Race Night and families who came along to support us on 24th March and we are always on the and especially the Year 10 performers who lookout for fundraising ideas or extra pairs entertained everyone in the Dining Hall. of hands to help at parents’ evenings with refreshments! The PSA raise money to buy items, not Hope to see you then!

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 27 REP News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

P4C (Philosophy for Children) with Year 9 Raksha Bandhan On joining Wellington in September, I was Year 8 pupils have been enjoying experiential lessons this unfamiliar with the concept of P4C, but from the term by participating in the Raksha Bandhan ceremony. abundant enthusiasm from my new REP colleagues This ceremony asks pupils to consider the bonds between brother and sister. Pupils were asked to get to know their partners better I could see this was going to be a great initiative. and to find out about their best qualities as well as the trials I trialled my first P4C lessons and respect shown by the they have faced in life. Pupils then dressed in traditional clothes, with my lovely Year 9 groups. students made it an absolute anointed each other with cum cum powder and fed their partner a pleasure to observe - and sweet. Molly Wilbraham in Year 8 declared that this was ‘the best Linking into our lesson on the lesson ever’. All pupils took away a bracelet that had been made concept of suffering (Dukka) observe I did, the students just ran away with it! for them by their partner. I hope that this is a lesson pupils will we listed a number of global remember and treasure for a long time. examples of suffering in the Topics we debated included: Mrs Jones 21st century. Once we had our • “Terrorists - believers or list, the students were then murderers?” asked to formulate these topics into debate-style questions. • “Charity begins at home Wedding ceremony Students then voted on the - should Britain help poor This term several Year 10 pupils people abroad when Britain topics that they wished to were declared husband and wife discuss. has poverty?” when partaking in a traditional • “War is a necessary evil?” I was overwhelmed at the depth Christian wedding ceremony; of thought and consideration For their homework, students that the students took to were asked to feed back on all pupils were allocated formulate the topics, indeed we how they found the lesson. roles and organised the were spoilt for choice and it was Comments were overwhelmingly ceremony themselves. hard to pick. positive and included; “ I liked Mrs Jones provided the the chance to just chat in a Once topics were picked (3 in costumes which included grown up way”; “it helped me one lesson) we all put our pens bridesmaid and wedding work out my own views”; “it down and sat in a circle. We dresses. After the wedding made me realise there are two then had some very intense and ceremony pupils held a sides to things.” fascinating debates on some wedding reception and enjoyed very tough issues. The maturity Mrs Cooper listening to the entertaining speeches made by the grooms men as well as the father of the bride. The event was Exploring World Religions lavishly catered with all pupils During REP lessons in their first term at contributing something to the Wellington School, Year 7 pupils have wedding breakfast. Several chosen to complete either a project or pupils brought in fantastic homemade wedding cakes presentation about one of the six main which looked and tasted delicious. Special mentions must world religions. go to Shane O’ Connor, Tom Eaton, Charlotte Pilcher, Eeshah They have Abdulrab and Laura McLaughlin for their exceptional cakes. researched Mrs Jones a number of areas connected Trafford Youth for Christ to each religion During this half term KS3 students participated in including information about their places of lessons run by Trafford Youth for Christ. worship, festivals, food and dress laws and famous The lessons focussed around the ideas of fact, faith and belief, celebrities that follow each faith. friendship and suffering. The lessons have been an eye-opener There has been some fabulous work produced for all students involved and have enabled them to think deeply within each teaching set and pupils have clearly taken a great deal of about the importance of respecting beliefs, valuing friendship time and effort with the content and presentation of their work. and discussing the origin of suffering around the world and how A special mention must be given to Eva Quested-Leech and Hannah we can combat it. The classes that El-Qedeh who produced some of the most wonderful work I have ever were involved were brilliant and received from Year 7. Both pupils clearly spent hours presenting their our visitors from TYFC commented work and included lots of detailed information about both Hinduism on more than one occasion how and Islam but all explained in their own words. Eva also decorated her eloquent and enthusiastic our work with Hindu traditional materials and art work. A truly fabulous students are. Well done to all of project. Well done Eva and Hannah, you are both REP superstars. those involved. Mrs Stephens Mr Harrison

28 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 CAREERS News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Year 11 Finance event Wednesday Year 11 Careers Fair and 14th October 2015 Workshops Oh what can we say, the atmosphere in On Thursday 15th October, Year 11 Wellington was absolutely buzzing on the day! students participated in a carousel of events which included a careers fair, Despite Year 11 embarking employability workshop, apprenticeship upon a difficult workshop and a ‘pathways to future year, they education workshop.’ wholeheartedly The atmosphere was buzzing with students embraced discussing the various career routes on the Finance the horizon. Students were provided challenge set for with invaluable advice regarding their them by this event. future options and had ample time in the workshops to ask any questions as and when they arose. The workshops The day commenced were presented by staff from New Economy, Manchester College, with the students University of Chester, University of Manchester, Stockport College and being bombarded Wellington Sixth Form. They also had the opportunity to chat more with financial informally to people from industry and higher education regarding their lingo in the hall, aspirations. Exhibitors included the University of Manchester, Trafford an eye-opener for all, to say College, Manchester College, University of Chester, Reaseheath College, the least. They then worked in tutor groups tackling NHS, Armed Forces, Access to Music, Stockport College, FETA and a legal a budgeting scenario (these included single parent, professional to name but a few. unemployed, university student, young professional and All students were also guided through the young family) which culminated with the groups presenting development and production of a CV which their budgeting ideas to the year group and a panel of they will use for life. employers. A huge “Thank You “to all who took part Financial education is at the forefront of many new for providing a fantastic opportunity for our government initiatives and we pride ourselves at Wellington Year 11 students. on providing our pupils with the best. Final GCSE And importantly, the visitors couldn’t praise examinations are fast approaching, so remember Year 11 - our students enough (although this comes better qualifications equals better job opportunities equals as no surprise). It was so encouraging to an easier financial situation in the future! A huge thank you see the students chatting together during to the Year 11 tutor team who supported and encouraged their free time, discussing what their next their tutees throughout the day. plans are. Mrs Mackay Mrs Mackay

Key 103 Apprenticeship Media Bus Following on from our very successful Careers Day in October, we were extremely fortunate to welcome the Key 103 Apprenticeship Media bus into school once again for the day on Thursday 5th November for our Year 11 and 6th Form students. Paula Cliff from Positive steps, Emma Jones, Traffic and Travel Presenter from Key 103 and Sam Rostron, Key 103 Street Team were there to run the day for us. Four, one hour sessions took place throughout the day and participation was excellent with all students contributing to group work exploring Apprenticeships as well as individual contributions. Students were advised about how Apprenticeships work, what is involved, what qualifications are available, as well as progression routes leading on from Apprenticeships . The activities included ‘myth busting’, apprenticeship key facts, scripting, recording and editing which culminated in the students demonstrating what they had learnt by creating an advert. Each group contributed to an audio clip about what an Apprenticeship meant to them, before coming up with a “tag-line”. This was then recorded by Sam from Key 103 to form an advert for Apprenticeships. The students were very positive about the activities and considered it a really useful and worthwhile event. Paula, Emma and Sam were extremely complimentary about all of our students, so yet again they were a credit to us. Mrs Mackay

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 29 SIXTH FORM News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

a number of times to update us on her Wellington Sixth progress and catch up. I’m pleased to Here’s a report from Holly Rundle report that she is doing incredibly well about another enhancement Mr Form News, Views and can’t wait to get back to school and Cropper has organised for the continue her studies and we can’t wait to Sixth Form: and Reviews have her back with us. “All Year 12 students look forward The year started with a From early in the term, many students to learning to drive and passing have been working as mentors with residential visit to Lancaster lower school students. Their roles have their driving test, but it is easy for us to forget University, an opportunity for included paired reading with Year 7, about the true dangers of being on the road. supporting students in Year 10 with the ‘Safe Drive Stay Alive’ is a campaign run by all of the Sixth Form to have a rigours of starting GCSE courses and the emergency services which works towards taste of university life. advising them on how to approach it. reducing the number of young driver casualties. Towards the end of term, interviews took The campaign aims to do this by informing the During the visit there was advice for place and appointments were made for future drivers of the dangers that we could all Year 13 on UCAS applications, personal LRC Mentors. We were encouraged by the statements and time to be reflective on be faced with. All Year 12 students were invited number of applications received for these AS results and grades achieved with the to watch (at the Middleton Arena) a series of important posts and really delighted view to building on these. Year 12 had real-life film clips from people whose lives had that so many of our 6th Formers want to talks on rising to the challenges of A support and run the after school sessions been changed dramatically due to road traffic Levels and approaches to take in their and homework club in the LRC from 3.05 accidents and to listen to different members studies. During a lovely evening meal, – 4.05pm. Special mention must go to of the emergency services, who spoke about we had chance to sing ‘happy birthday’ our ‘retiring’ LRC Mentor team in Year 13 to the Minshull twins and later enjoy a one of their most striking experiences as a who step down in order to focus on their disco where there were some ‘interesting’ paramedic, police officer, fire fighter or nurse. A Level studies. They really have been the moves (mentioning no names Mrs This was followed by a mother giving her own dream team and Mrs Ware can’t thank Moorhouse!) and a bit of karaoke, with a them enough for their commitment, hard account of how her son died in a car crash. It star turn from our very own Chris Bennett! work and reliability. They’ll be a hard act was a completely captivating experience, which Quite a night! The whole experience to follow but we have high hopes for our even led to some students becoming emotional allows students to get a useful insight new recruits who take up their duties in into university life, understand skills and at the trauma that can be caused by just one January. expectations and use it to approach the tiny decision that you make whilst driving. start of their courses with purpose and a All of our students have supported the Whether it be answering a text message or look to the future. ‘Apprentice Challenge’ held in School arguing with someone in the passenger seat, at the end of last term for local primary We are always amazed by the generosity it was highlighted to all students that anything school pupils, ensuring they complete the and empathy of our 6th Form students. can wait; especially when it is your own life tasks and supervising their visit to ‘big’ Although we wish we hadn’t needed to, at risk. After being shown a variety of real-life school. Year 12 and 13 are also prefects the support from our students of a fellow which is another point of call for younger videos, all students were encouraged to spread student has been amazing to see. Laura students at lunchtime. All staff and the the word on social media about ‘Safe Drive Stay McDonagh in Year 13 has been diagnosed school appreciate this support as another Alive’ because the seriousness of road traffic with Non Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and our set of eyes and ears. Thank you so much students helped run a cake sale she accidents with young drivers is something that for all this additional help Year 12 and organised in aid of the Teenage Cancer we are so quick to forget during the excitement 13, and we know many of you do other Trust. The baked goods made rivalled of finally being able to drive. Overall, the stories subject based work too, helping even anything seen on the Great British Bake- more students on a day to day basis. that students got to listen to were completely off! Laura has been incredibly positive, unforgettable and will definitely cause them to brave and keen to support the charities At the start of November, Mr Beeley think twice about their decisions as a new driver. that support other people who are facing was contacted by the mother of a Year 8 Thank you to the organisers for funding the similar diagnoses. Year 13 also had a pupil, Emily Peers (8SPR), about a charity collection to ensure that a hamper of working to help homeless people in whole trip and to the Sixth Form tutors, as well as goodies was winging its way to support, Manchester and requesting support from Mr Cropper and Mrs Wilson, for encouraging all entertain and help Laura during her school with their current project. students to attend.” treatment. Laura has been into school

Residential Lancaster meal

30 Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 SIXTH FORM News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk Excellence in Everything

Other great news from our University of Manchester links comes in the form of the success of 3 of our Year 13 students who were accepted onto the Manchester Access Programme in Year 12 and passed with flying colours in October 2015. We’re very proud of their hard work, commitment and determination. They were brilliant ambassadors for Wellington’s Sixth Form Disco in the manner in which they conducted Shoebox Appeal themselves and the positive relationships they forged with University staff. Aside from their The Sixth Form, along with Year 11 and own personal achievements, the satisfactory Year 10 tutor groups, worked together to completion of all units and assignments in the raise awareness amongst our upper school scheme (in addition to their studies in school) pupils and to try to help with the charity’s means that they each benefit from a reduced Christmas Shoebox Appeal. We tailored the offer in order to secure a place on one of the contents of our boxes to be distributed to highly competitive degree courses. This can vulnerable, young people living homeless over be as much as 3 grades lower i.e 3 ‘B’s instead winter in Greater Manchester. Pupils were Continuing our programme of looking after the of 3 ‘A’s. A wonderful outcome – a huge ‘well incredibly generous and we managed to fill 30 wellbeing of students we have had visits from done’ to them all! shoeboxes and collected extra supplies too. external speakers raising alcohol awareness. After wrestling with personal statements Contents ranged from toiletries, hair brushes Respecting alcohol and its consumption and and form completion, selecting courses and and dental kits to keyrings, torches, socks and being aware of the consequences of alcohol universities the length and breadth of the warm, woolly hats. Bernadette Baker from abuse was explained. Having the facts and United Kingdom, offers are starting to fly in the charity came to collect our shoeboxes on information, our Sixth Formers can make for our Year 13 students who have applied the 4th December – after being out until 3a.m informed choices and also know how to for university. A huge thank you to Mr the night before, distributing shoebox gifts to contact agencies should they need further Williams, Mr Ashworth, Mr Gershler and Mr homeless people in the city centre. We know support. Whitaker who collated and wrote references from Mrs Peers that she works tirelessly for Many of our Year 12 students took advantage for everyone, and of course to Mr Cropper the charity and we were very grateful to her for who tirelessly checks and helps students with coming in to school to pick up our donations of a series of ‘Discover Days’ at the University of Manchester throughout November and UCAS glitches, requests and applications. in person. She was equally delighted with the I know Year 13 appreciate all this help and efforts and generosity of our pupils. December. These days offer Sixth Formers the opportunity to gain real insight into support that staff give them. To further aid the degree programmes they may wish to study transition in applying for university, we also at university. They also provide participants had a visitor in explaining student finance for with first-hand experience to help them make students and another session to help parents informed decisions about their university understand the process too. choices before the start of the UCAS The 6th Form “did their bit in a Christmas application process. The format of each of the knit” at the end of term and raised money days typically combines a subject overview for Macmillan, Save the Children and Make talk with careers guidance, a mini lecture, a a Wish. They looked festive, fun and sparkly departmental tour and a workshop, with time and, between them, donated £220.83!! for students to put any questions and queries they may have to academic staff and current I’m sure you will agree that if there is a word undergraduates. Our Year 12s enrolled for to sum up this term for our Sixth Form it’s Discover Days in a range of subjects including ‘GENEROUS’. Well done everyone and I Criminology, Audiology, Engineering, Life hope the generosity continues in time given Sciences and Sociology. Feedback from all to studies as we go into next term and the the days was extremely positive – interesting, approach of exams. Keep up the good work enjoyable and gave them serious food for everyone! thought in terms of their post-A Level choices. Any who missed out this term will have the Mr Cropper, Miss Grey and Mrs Wilson Christmas Jumpers chance to register for the University’s next #teamsixthform series of Discover Days in Spring.

Cake Sale

LRC mentors

Spring Term Newsletter January 2016 31 SOCIAL SCIENCES News www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

New York, New York! Dates for your So with a packed itinerary and a pocket full Diary for the of dollars, 25 Year 12, 11 and 10 students Spring Term accompanied by Miss Grey & Mr Manifould were off for the Social Science trip to New Thursday 28th January York! Year 10 Parents Evening After a long flight we arrived and were so excited as Wednesday 3rd February the New York skyline came into view. Once settled, Year 9 Parents Evening it was straight off to the Empire State Building. 86 floors up, the view (& popping ears!) are worth it! Thursday 11th February New York positively sparkles! Year 8 Parents Evening Day 2 and we went to Columbia University, we had lectures from NYPD on interrogation techniques Friday 12th February and processes and a first-hand account from an School closes for half NYPD officer on the 911 attack, action and recovery. term It was very moving and placed in context the event for students (who were born after the attack). Monday 22nd February There was a spot of shopping after this, and (Week B) School opens Wellington did its best to help keep the New York economy going! America does Christmas like no Thursday 25th February one else, the lights, decorations and trees are like Year 7 Parents Evening nothing ever seen before! WOW! Another day and we headed to Liberty and Ellis Island. Friday 26th February A much seen image, but the statue of Liberty is quite a Sponsored Walk Day sight to behold in real life! We followed this with a visit to the 911 memorial museum, it is an amazing tribute to the Thursday 24th March people of New York who lost their lives and the dedication PSA Race Night of others to save and salvage. Friday 25th March The final day brought a picture perfect trip, ice-skating in Good Friday – School Central Park, a wonderful experience. Then it was the long and sleepy flight home! A wonderful visit and experience closed for the students who thoroughly enjoyed their taste of the Big Apple! Monday 28th March Easter Monday – School Miss Grey closed Wednesday 30th March GCSE Preparation Evening Friday 1st April School closes Monday 18th April (Week B) School Opens

Wellington School, Wellington Road, Timperley, Altrincham, Cheshire, WA15 7RH Tel: 0161 928 4157 Email: [email protected] Website: www.wellington.trafford.sch.uk

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