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Coleg Cambria Secondary School of the Year

What a wonderful end to the summer term to be nominated for an award recognising the extensive work that we have provided for our students and the involvement of so many partners in providing such a rich programme of activities. I attended the Daily Post Schools Awards Ceremony along with Bethan Bloor, Head Girl and Ellis Cliffe, Deputy Head Boy and was so proud to hear that we had won the Coleg Cambria Secondary School of the Year. This is recognition indeed for the wonderful work that goes on in our school by staff, parents and students.

Another highlight this term has been the superb transition days for the Year 6 students who are coming up to Ysgol Rhosnesni in September. The three days of workshops was complemented by the Induction Evening we held for parents with standing room only in the school hall. A huge thank you to parents and families who came to support our new Year 7 and to prepare the way forward for a successful future.

We have said our farewells to Year 11, the Class of 2012, and we wish them every success in their chosen careers and we will welcome them back to share in their celebrations on GCSE Results Day.

There has been so much to celebrate across the school this year with individual successes, collaborative achievements and some outstanding contributions to the school . I am always proud of what we can achieve together with each and every student and in partnership with parents and families.

I wish everyone a safe and well deserved summer holiday.

N D Harrison

Headteacher/Pennaeth

Working together with you to achieve success / Gweithio gyda’n gilydd i gyflawni llwyddiant

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Page 2 NEWYDDION EWYDDION RHOSNESNI

Eisteddfod Rhosnesni. LLongyfarchiadau 7H1 a 8Y2

A massive congratulations to 7H1 and 8Y2, the winning forms in the Eisteddfod, and of course to all the other competition winners. There were some absolutely amazing on stage performances from a number of pupils across the year group. We also welcomed Mrs Carys Ingham back to school to judge the performances. She was assisted by a representative of the Urdd who also enjoyed watching our pupils in action. Not forgetting the variety of off stage entries that were received by pupils in all subject areas. It was a great forum for our pupils to display their talent. Bendigedig to all pupils involved.

Mrs DeRosa Heard. Welsh Department

Pupils from Orgovany School Hungary Visit Rhosnesni High School

On 30th June pupils from Orgovany School in Hungary visited Rhosnesni High School. The 12 pupils were welcomed by Mr Harrison before taking part in a textiles lesson with Mrs Jenkins, hearing a presentation from the Student Council and Peer Mentors, and finally a Maths lesson with Mr Jones. The visiting pupils also gave a presentation about Hungary and demonstrated a traditional dance. The visit was arranged with the school pastors.

Mr D M Jones. Assistant Headteacher NEWS 3 NEWYDDIONEWYDDION RHOSNESNI

Lead Creative School Project

The project commenced on Wednesday 18th January 2017. Students from Hafod Y Wern and Rhosnesni (Year 5 and 7) worked collaboratively in conjunction with Vickie Fellows, a professional actor, and Ynyr Llwyd an accomplished musician, on a range of workshops focusing on World War I, football during the wartime and women’s roles during this era. Libby Pritchard and Lauren Little (Year 7) delivered a presentation to Rhosnesni staff, at a morning staff briefing, explaining the types of activities they have been involved in such as:

Team building activities and drama games Created a silent movie and sound track Sung World War 1 songs Composed a piece of music for a war film Composed the lyrics to a song about war time Cooked soup which was popular in World War 1 Undertaken World War 1 Army training Dramatized a song about leaving for war and recruitment Created protest banners and slogans Explored the role of women and the Suffragette movement Watched footage from the era Re-enacted the Christmas Day football match Written postcards home to their families from the trenches

On Wednesday 18th March Governors, staff, students and parents were cordially invited to attend to a sharing event at Hafod Y Wern Primary School to celebrate the completion of the Leads Creative School project. Nia Richards, an Arts Council representative, attended the celebration event and praised the work produced.

Miss V Brown, Deputy Headteacher

Mr Harrison meets Lesley Griffiths

At Rhosnesni High School, Julie Williams GwE Lead Practitioner designed a workshop with the Hybu Cig Cymru- Meat Promotion Wales to help secondary schools deliver the new food and nutrition GCSE. Hybu Cig Cymru- Meat Promotion Wales came into the School to promote knowledge of food origins with design and technology staff from a range of schools in and Flintshire. The event was part of a programme of work which the red meat Whilst visiting Ysgol Rhosnesni, Mrs board is undertaking this year in partnership with the Welsh joint Griffiths joined Mr Harrison and some Education Committee and regional education consortia to develop of our pupils for Hot Chocolate Friday. classroom resources and provide training for teachers. Lesley Griffiths AM and welsh government cabinet secretary for environment and rural affairs visited the School to support the program and meet with the Head teacher Nic Harrison at the School. The GwE and HCC’s work, which is particularly aimed at supporting the new GCSE in food and nutrition, will help pupils to gain the latest insight into the science of food preparation, as well as food origins and traceability.

Mrs J Williams. ICT Department.

NEWS 4 NEWYDDION SMART Materials Day Glyndwr University

As part of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) “Reaching wider schools programme”, a group of MAT year 8 girls attended the SMART Materials day at Glyndwr University with Miss Smith on 14th December. This was an introduction into SMART Materials, explaining their uses and impact on everyday life. The event was delivered by STEM academics, Techniquest and industry leading organisations. The day gave the girls an insight into STEM careers and the benefits of studying STEM at GCSE, A-level and onwards. This was a unique insight into possible careers and a developing industry for the pupils, which will aid them in option choices in Year 9.

Explore Your Universe Day Techniquest Glyndwr ‘Explore Our Universe’ is an exciting new project celebrating the physical science developed by the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres (ASDC), in partnership with Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). On 4th July we are sending a group of Year 8 pupils to the ‘Explore Your Universe’ event at Techniquest Glyndwr. The aim of ‘Explore Your Universe’ is to inspire a sense of excitement amongst young people around the physical sciences by sharing amazing stories and technologies of the STFC. Pictures will be uploaded to the School Twitter account.

Techniquest Glyndwr KS4 Science Workshops Techniquest Glyndwr will be delivering workshops on ‘Motion and Forces’ and the ‘Biosphere’ to 60 Year 10 pupils on 11th July. The workshops will allow pupils to enhance their learning in Science at a GCSE level. Pupils will have access to experts in the above fields and the opportunity to use new and interesting resources.

Mrs S Smith. Science

Castle Competition

Year 7 Mrs C Hughes - As part of our study of Medieval Britain, Year 7 History students are being set the challenge of building their own castles. Students were expected to showcase their knowledge and understanding of castles, and display what they have learnt within the classroom. It was a key requirement to add key castle features, like moat, motte, drawbridge and battlements to the completed build.

7Y1 - 1st Sam Dean, 2nd Shabanah Prothero and 3rd Molly White and Millie Barker.

7R1 - 1st Grace Hughes, 2nd Weronika Krupinska and joint 3rd Ffion Thomas, Priya and Essemce Carline.

7Y2 - 1st Chloe Jones, 2nd Catalin Mocanu and 3rd Eleanor Hughes and Chloe Edwards.

Mrs C Hughes. Head of Year 7

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Wonderful news from the Rhosnesni IT Team. We are pleased to announce that we have now nearly completed the set up of our new Coding Room. Fully equipped with 30 computers and a “tech area” with 10 Raspberry Pi and 30 BBC Microbits, there will be plenty to occupy and inspire our young Rhosnesni programmers. The coding room will help give our Rhosnesni students the knowledge and skills to move from being consumers of digital information, to being designers and creators of new tools to enhance learning, to solve problems or just to have fun, enabling them to make the most of 21st Century life and the economy.

Re-launch of the Dragons Newsletter

We are delighted to announce the re-launch of the Dragons Newsletter for this summer term. Packed with great stories, interviews, games and competitions, this new edition will definitely keep you entertained. Our team of journalists and graphic designers has been working extremely hard to provide our readers with exciting stories. The newly designed newsletter has been entirely planned and produced by ourselves. But who are we? We are essentially pupils from Year 8 but we are looking to expand our team and we are inviting anyone who is interested in journalism or graphic design to join us in this exciting venture. We regularly meet at lunch time in Mrs Williams’ ICT room where we discuss projects and plan ideas for our newsletter. If you fancy a role in our news team, please contact Daniel Dean or Mrs F Williams in IT.

Growth Mindset Logo Competition Winners

This year our students have been learning about the concept of Growth Mindset. What is Growth Mindset?

Growth Mindset is a way of learning and taking on challenges and is based on the work of Carol Dweck, an Educa- tional Psychologist from Stranford University. Studies show that it is people with a growth mindset are successful in all they do. This is exactly what we want for all our students.

What does a Growth Mindset look like?

A person with a growth mindset may do these things: Embrace challenges Give their best effort Learn from feedback Become inspired by other people’s success Believe their intelligence can change if they work hard. Students were invited to design a logo to promote the ethos of Growth Mindset. The winners are featured in the picture opposite.

Growth Mindset Winners How can parents support their child in developing a Growth Mindset? To find out more about Growth Mindset, please follow the link below and attend the Raising Achievement Evenings in the Autumn Term 2017.

Miss V Brown Deputy Headteacher

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NWv1VdDeoRY

NEWS 6 NEWYDDION GALLERY Transition Mosaic

A successful 3 day common transfer days was had by all Year 6 students, who took part in a variety of workshops, such as Mr Phormula, Science, Maths, English, and Wrexham Football Club. We look forward to welcoming them all in September.

Mrs C Hughes. Head of Year 7

Iceland Trip 2017

Pupils of Ysgol Rhosnesni High School enjoyed exploring the 'Kerid Crater' and the 'Blank Sands of Iceland'. All pupils behaved impeccably and were a credit to the school. The staff offered great support throughout the trip and made it a very safe and enjoyable experience. I'd like to thank all of the teaching staff who supported the trip.

Mr A Roberts. Head of Geography NEWS 7 NEWYDDION

English Theatre Trip

The English Department held a trip to Venue Cymru Theatre in Llandudno on the 28th June to see the brand new musical, ‘Wonderland’ based on ‘Alice's Adventures in Wonderland’ and ‘Through the Looking-Glass.’ The musical focuses on Alice who, estranged from her husband, alienated from her daughter and in danger of losing her career, finds herself in Wonderland where she encounters strange, though familiar characters who help her rediscover the wonder in her life while searching for her daughter.

This is a brilliantly staged production with colourful costumes, toe-tapping music, a medley of magic and a whole lot of wonder.

The Looking Glass is one of the prominent features of the story. To return home they need to keep moving forward through Wonderland. This means going through the Looking Glass to become the opposite of what you are and find your real self. Ellie and Jack are the first to go through. The whole story is based on making sure you are true to yourself. This then means you are free to follow your dreams, something which Alice is scared of to begin with.

The star studded cast included former Britain's Got Talent singer Rachael Wooding who played Alice, musical theatre legend Dave Willetts who played the White Rabbit, and the tyrannical Queen of Hearts, played by former Coronation Street favourite Wendi Peters.

A fantastic night was had by all, with the Rhosnesni pupils and staff thoroughly enjoying the spectacular stage presentation. The pupils were absolutely outstanding in their representation of our school with fellow patrons commenting on their superb behaviour and manners.

Mrs R Randles Head of English

Year 9 Talk the Talk Workshops

Confident Communication For Life

Recently, all Year 9 pupils took part in ‘Talk the Talk’ workshops where they had the opportunity to practise their public speaking skills. Each pupil received a booklet filled with interesting activities. The aim of the day was to learn how to deliver confidently without notes, how to plan and deliver a speech, develop a stronger essay writing structure and understand how to identify and use persuasive language techniques in a variety of school English Department - and real life situations. Reading for Pleasure

The first activity was to introduce a partner and then to give a short presentation in a group of Sophie Morris 7R2 has read a four. A variety of games and confidence building exercises followed which were all designed whopping 20 books since to lead up to the final task of presenting individually at the front of the class. September 2016, and completed 20 tasks. Sophie Some pupils chose to speak about their hobbies and plans for the future whilst others talked has been awarded a £10 token about technology and the impact it has had on their lives. to spend as she wishes. Well done Sophie, and amazing Initially, some pupils were rather apprehensive about the thought of presenting to the whole achievement! class, however, the encouraging ethos created by the leader of each workshop meant that everyone was comfortable to attempt it. Mrs L Mundy. All pupils agreed that the workshops had been a valuable experience, providing them with strategies to enable them to be successful in their GCSE Speaking and Listening assessments and the increase in pupils’ confidence was clear.

Well done, Year 9! The English Faculty are looking forward to listening to your individual presentations.

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Arts and Crafts Group At The Venture Project

A group of our Year 10 and 11 students have been attending the Venture project in for one afternoon per week looking at different art forms and doing different projects. Kate Buirski, who has been facilitating the courses has said the students have worked really hard and the above pictures, looking at Aboriginal Art, are just one example of some of the work they have been doing. All of the students have thoroughly enjoyed their time there especially at Christmas when they got to help make a grotto. The local children got to come and see Father Christmas in the grotto!

The Year 10 and 11 students also made two new name boards for The Venture as part of their project, which have been placed in different parts of The Venture.

Kira Griffiths, Dione Jones, Kate Buriski course leader, Shannon Hughes and Kara Ellis. Other students who helped make the new signs were and not pictured are Trinity Hopson, Kyle Jones, Aaron Williams and Caitlin Perkins.

Mrs D Payne, Well Being Co-ordinator.

Welsh MAT Workshop Hearing Resource

Diolch yn fawr Y11 History Trip to Germany. A huge thank you to Jay De Silva, Jack Turnbull, Luke The Year 11’s had a good visit to Germany. They visited lots of different places, such as Maddocks, Millie Stokes, Kacey Rowlands, Ffion Hunter, Dachau Concentration Camp, Josie Williams, Isobel Owen, Amy Finn, Jake Owens, Colditz Prisoner of War Camp, Nuremburg, Ellie Porter who took part in the Welsh MAT work shop. Berlin, the Olympic Stadium and the Reichstag. The group of Year 8 and 9 pupils worked with Mrs Enfys Thomas on a three day workshop on Technology. These pupils were an absolute credit to the school. They worked really hard, engaged in all the activities and Y7 Certificates for showed their flair for the language. After the three day Savannah Rogerson workshop pupils filmed a debate about whether mobile Savannah has settled in well at phones should be banned in school. A display will be Rhosnesni High School. She is put up for the new term showing the work they looking forward to September produced. Da iawn chi! when her friends from the Juniors Hearing Resource start at Rhosnesni. Mrs E DeRosa-Heard, Welsh Department Mr P Widders. Hearing Impaired Department

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Epraise

Rhosnesni High School has had another fantastic year rewarding students through epraise; motivating and encouraging all stu- dents to reach their full potential and promoting a positive approach to learning across the school curriculum. This year the students of Rhosnesni have been awarded a total of 28,657 praise points, generating lots of Milestone Certificates from Bronze to Governors Award

Four students have exceeded expectations this year by achieving their Governors Milestone Award; they have been awarded in excess of 200 Praise Points. Well Done to Lucy Tyrie 8R1, Wiktoria Komischke 8R1, Lydia Monks 7H1 and Anya Salomon 7H1.

Accolades have been awarded where students have gone above and beyond what is expected of them and also in recognition of a students participation across a range of events including: Welsh Baccalaureate Dragons Lair Challenge, Oswestry Youth Music Festival, Airbus Apprenticeship Webinar, Science STEM Event (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), Student Council Epraise Shop Delivery Team, Christmas Celebration Evening, Success at Kinmel Bay Camp, not forgetting our hugely successful Eisteddfod Rhosnesni Event 2017 where our younger students celebrated our Welsh culture and promoted bilingualism across the curriculum both on and off the stage.

Epraise Student of the Year Competition 2017

Following our tremendous success in last year’s epraise student of the year competition we are delighted to inform you five of our students were entered into this year’s competition after being nominated by staff members.

Congratulations go to Anya Salomon , Jake Evans, Jacob Brown, Connor Rofe, and Courtney Ince .

Fantastic work by our Student Council shop Delivery Team

The Year 11 Basketball team trained every Friday evening after school and have enjoyed playing matches against local team.

Well done boys! We wish you every success in the future.

Mr D Roberts Physical Education NEWS 10 NEWYDDION

The Year 11 Prom 2017 was held at Tower Barn. The students behaviour throughout the night was impeccable, and they can only be described as being a credit to themselves and everyone who knows them.

The purpose of the Year 11 Prom is to reward the students for all their hard effort and excellent behaviour throughout the year. It has been a privilege being their Progress Manager. May I thank all the parents and students for their continued support and I wish them every success for the future.

Mrs J Fell Year 11 Progress Manager

Useful Information

Ysgol Rhosnesni High School Rhosnesni Lane Wrexham LL13 9ET

Phone: 01978 340840 Fax: 01978 34 0841

E-mail: mailbox@rhosnesni- high.wrexham.sch.uk

Web site: www.rhosnesni- high.wrexham.sch.uk

Follow as on Twitter: @RhosnesniHigh

VACANCY

The Governing Body have a vacancy for a Parent Governor. If any parent/guardian feels that they can support us in this capacity, then please contact the Headteacher directly by telephone or by Email:[email protected] We would welcome some new views and ideas and Our school app can be downloaded by searching you will be well supported through your induction Our School in the apps store (IPhone or the google period as a Parent Governor. store)

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