February 2020 Principal’s Welcome In other positive news, students have embraced our new rewards system and have shown a This term has been the most challenging so far for significant improvement in their attitudes to me as school Principal, and also the most inspiring. learning over the last half term. The diagram It has been my privilege to host so many individual below represents just how far positive meetings with you to gain a valuable insight into achievement points now outstrip negative your child’s experience at school. In addition, our behaviour points. newly formed parents’ forum has provided Start of the term constructive feedback which is instrumental in shaping how we address the concerns raised in the Ofsted report. It has been inspiring to find that we all share the same determination to rapidly improve the quality of education at West Craven High School. This term, students have been exhibiting our core values in their pursuits both inside and outside of End of the term the classroom. Showing ambition, Billy Haythornthwaite was sponsored to run 122 miles over six weeks, one mile for every Year 11 student. Billy raised a staggering £937 and the money raised will ensure the year group have a prom to remember! Mrs Price’s form tutor group demonstrated their supportive nature in their quest to raise much needed funds for Pendle Dogs in Need. A team of cheery Year 9 students were exuding positivity at the recent parents’ I am also pleased to announce that after half term consultation evening, offering directions and a Claire McGlasham will join our West Craven team warm West Craven welcome to families attending. as our Exams and Data Administrator and Marie Evie-Mai Blenkhorn, Elizabeth Holtom, Jack Kirby Kimber-Smith will be covering Amy Roberts’ role and Amber Muller are showing great as Pastoral Support Worker for Years 7 and 8. independence by reading their way through 60 In closing, I would like to personally thank you for books in their impartial role as judges for the your continued support and wish you and your Lancashire Book of the Year 2020. Demonstrating families a relaxing half term break. I look forward resilience beyond her years, Beth Hope was to welcoming your child back into school on presented with a signed football by HRH The Duke Tuesday 25th February following our training day. of Cambridge at the launch of the Premier League’s Best wishes Heads Up campaign in London. Equality was at the heart of recent work of Year 7 student, Casey Mrs Tracy Foy - Principal Richardson on our PSHCE day. On this special day she learnt about how to challenge stereotypes and reduce the risks of being a victim of cyber-bullying. February 25 Term begins 10 Year 8 Parents’ Evening 4:15 – 7pm 25 Year 10 Mock Art Exam (this week) March 11 Year 9 Vaccinations 28 Year 11 Mock Exams start 28 Feb – 13 March 12 Deadline - Year 9 Options Forms 2 Year 11 Mock Exams 28 Feb – 13 March 24 Year 11 Mock Results and Parents’ Evening 4:15 – 7pm 2 National Careers Week 1 Year 11 GCSE Art Exams 5 Year 9 Options Evening March start 5 – 7 pm 2 World Autism awareness 5 World Book Day April day 6 Science and Engineering week begins 3 Year 9 Reports published 9 Year 11 Mock Exams 3 Last day of term 28 Feb – 13 March 20 Term begins 9 Year 11 Maths PiXL Trip English Literature Focus Day On Friday, 10 January, Mrs Stoker took a group of Year 11 students to Turf Moor for an English Literature focus day. The morning session was spent focusing on Romeo and Juliet and the afternoon session on An Inspector Calls. After a warm up quiz on the content and historical context of Romeo and Juliet, the students analysed the assessment objectives and learnt how to apply the Point, Quote and Analysis essay writing style to the exam questions. They looked at a marked exemplar piece and pulled apart how they had structured their essay - each student then wrote an essay structure plan for themselves. They then marked an exam board exemplar piece of writing and applied their knowledge of the mark scheme to this, allowing time to discuss how and why the final mark was applied. Each student was then given an individual differentiated essay question on Romeo and Juliet and given time to plan a response, which was then shared with the class. The afternoon consisted of a similar task but with the focus on 'An Inspector Calls' – via a quiz, they recapped the characters, plot, themes and context. They worked with exemplar material, mark schemes, essay plans and paired planning time. Director of English, Mrs Stoker said, “From the minute students arrived in school to the minute they returned their behaviour and attitudes were exemplary and made me and the school very proud.” PSHCE Day Wednesday, 16th January was our second Personal, Social, Health, Citizenship and Careers Education collapsed curriculum day, which aimed to help prepare students for life by developing the knowledge, skills and attributes they need to keep themselves healthy and safe, and prepare them for life and work in modern Britain. We offered a broad curriculum, for all years, exploring healthy living, sexual health, positive relationships, careers, citizenship, British values and safeguarding students through our Prevent sessions – equipping students to make well informed decisions. Year 11 students were treated to a 'Jack the Ripper' session hosted by Nelson and Colne College to expand their horizons and explore courses that have not been taught at school such as psychology. Sessions were put on by Burnley College post 16 options liaison team members, Silentnight and Burnley FC in the Community which encouraged students in Year 10 to focus on employability and future aspirations. Year 9 students explored the barriers students face to learning while Year 8 focused on various aspects of health and well-being and Year 7 examined the impact of bullying on young people. Year 7 student, Casey Richardson, said, “It is important to have PSHCE days in school. On this special day Year 7 covered cyber-bullying, bullying sexting and stereotypes. A fact I learned on that day was that 19,000 students a year commit suicide because of bullying.” Emily-Jayne Austin, Year 8, said, “We covered topics that are relevant to today’s youth and it was great to look in-depth at subjects we wouldn’t normally discuss.” + Billy crosses the West Craven bookworms finishing line in Prom judge Lancashire Book Fundraiser of the Year 2020 West Craven High School’s Head Boy has put Four West Craven High School students are his running shoes on to raise money for the Year reading their way through 60 books as they 11 prom. prepare to shortlist them as judges for the Lancashire Book of the Year 2020. Evie-Mai Blenkhorn, Elizabeth Holtom, Jack Kirby and Amber Muller are representing West Craven as judges for the competition which sees young people deciding the best new fiction book of the year for their age range. The West Craven students met with judges from four other schools at Burnley Library to review the Billy Haythornthwaite was sponsored to run 122 books they have read so far, in preparation for the miles over six weeks – one mile per Year 11 shortlisting event in March. student. He fitted the challenge in around English Teacher, Mrs Woodward said: “Our attending school, revision sessions and sitting students made us proud with their honest and his mock exams. eloquent reviews of the books they have read and Billy said: “I wanted to do something that would are looking forward to the next stage of the judging benefit the Prom fundraising, so I decided to do process. They are really enjoying reading the a run that I could incorporate alongside my varied books and sharing their opinions of them.” regular gym sessions. I thought running one mile The final celebration day and announcement of per Year 11 student would give the whole the winning books will take place at UCLan in challenge a more significant meaning.” Preston in July. Billy raised a staggering £937 and would like to thank all his family, friends, students, staff and employees of D & H Concrete who kindly sponsored him. Mrs Gartland, Pastoral Support Lead at West Craven High School, said, “We are so proud of Billy raising such a significant amount for our school prom. He came up with this original idea himself, which demonstrated a huge amount of determination and commitment. The money raised will ensure the year group have a prom to remember!” Students gain a sweet insight into running a business GCSE Business students at West Craven High School visited The Chocolate House in Blackburn to learn more about factors that can affect a business. The students spent time with owner Susan Bristow, listening to how her business operated in the current economic climate and the impact of exchange rates on her business. They then took part in a question and answer session with her before tasting some handmade chocolate truffles. Student Edward Dickinson said: “It was really interesting visiting The Chocolate House. The shop opened in 1983 so we learnt about how the company survived during recessions and has grown into a successful business. We also enjoyed tasting some of the wonderful products made by Susan.” West Craven High School Business teacher, Mrs Thompson added: “We would like to thank Susan for welcoming us to The Chocolate House and giving a fascinating insight into the running of her business.