www.lathomhighschool.org Issue eleven

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM LATHOM HIGH SCHOOL

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NEW BEGINNINGS NEW BEGINNINGS AT LATHOM HIGH SCHOOL WELCOME TO Lathom High School has marked the start of a new term OUR LATEST by launching its new House system ensuring ‘a new House for everyone’ and welcoming many new students, parents EDITION OF and staff to the school. In the first week of term, students were involved in a range of activities LATHOM LIFE. including visits to work with the major Liverpool museums and dramatic workshops with Skelmersdale company ‘Artz Academy’ focused on themes of identity. The week’s It has been a very busy start to the school year with events culminated in a fantastic launch event at Robin Park our students and staff involved in so much already. Arena, Wigan, which was attended by the Mayor of West Some of our autumn highlights have included our , Cllr Nikki Hennessey. House Launch day at Robin Park, Charity Day for As Lathom is growing in size significantly from September Joseph’s Goal, our first whole school photograph 2015, staff at the school felt that this provided an excellent in over 10 years and our recent visit to the Council opportunity to create a new House system with vertical Chambers in Ormskirk to meet the Mayor as part of tutoring to enable students from different year groups to Local Democracy Week. I would like to thank all of the support each other in Tutor groups and during Tutor time. staff for organising these events and congratulate the Each day Tutor time provides the opportunity for students to students for representing our school so well. focus together on Lathom’s core values of ‘Enjoy, Believe, Achieve’ and support each other to promote the very highest I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new standards in all aspects of school life. students and staff to our Lathom family. We had over 250 new students join us in September in Years 7 to 10 along with lots HOUSE PROFILE of new staff, and I am immensely proud of how hard everyone has worked to make the transition process go smoothly.

A huge part of this has been the introduction of our new House and tutor groups system. Congratulations must go to Radcliffe House for winning the Sports Day, Livingstone House for the Maths Challenge and to Rosalind House for winning the fundraising challenge for Joseph’s Goal. Good Luck to Bronte NAMED AFTER: The Bronte sisters House ‘Show Racism HEAD OF HOUSE: Mr Lock who are organising activities to promote ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs McCarthy the Red Card’ on 23 October. I would also like to wish every ANTHEM: When the Reds Go Marching In student standing for the role of House Captain the best of luck in our forthcoming democratic House Elections.

My challenge to every member of our Lathom school family this year is to be PROUD of themselves, of one another, of what they do, who they are and where they come from and together to be PROUD of our school. The five values which we believe will help every student to succeed and Enjoy, Believe, Achieve NAMED AFTER: Dr David Livingstone are set out below: HEAD OF HOUSE: Mrs Fennah ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs Connelly ANTHEM: ‘Livingstone Lions’ with ‘Katie Perry ‘ROAR’’. Perseverance Chanting ‘Livingstone! Hear us roar!’ on repeat Responsibility Ownership Understanding

Determination NAMED AFTER: Paula Radcliffe HEAD OF HOUSE: Mr Hogg We will be covering the values through assemblies and hope to ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs Grice ANTHEM: ‘Radcliffe, Radcliffe. Radcliffe see them develop and flourish in every member of our Lathom …..on repeat! ‘ family over their time with us. This is a time of exciting change at Lathom and we have great hopes for the future. I hope that this edition of Lathom Life gives you a real flavour of life at Lathom. If you want to find out more about how our school is growing, please contact as at school and we will be delighted to show you around.

Mrs Galbraith NAMED AFTER: Rosalind Franklin Headteacher HEAD OF HOUSE: Mrs Woods ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs Newnes ANTHEM: We are the champions LATHOM HIGH SCHOOL HOLDS ‘PRIMARY MATHS CHALLENGE’ JEANS On Tuesday 29 September, 13 local primary schools took part in Lathom FOR High School’s ‘Primary Maths Challenge’. Students who attended the evening were presented with various maths challenges, competing GENES against each other. The evening was a resounding success with DAY Deputy Headteacher Mr Morris commenting that “it was good to see so many primary students enjoying maths with lots of support from parents, primary teachers and governors.” Parents were also given the opportunity to return to school to compete in a maths challenge as well! Students and staff at Lathom Individual certificates were given out to students for participating and High School in Skelmersdale prizes were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. raised an amazing £1221.65 by holding a House uniform day with Head of Maths at Lathom, Mr Wilde said that “It was a fantastic evening, with all denim on ‘Jeans for Genes Day ‘, teams fully committed to trying to win the event. The effort levels and the maths Friday 18 September. The event ability shown were a joy to watch. A massive well done must go to the eventual was a celebration of the school’s winners from Brookfield Park. The high level of competitiveness was shown in the new House and vertical tutoring result, with only 2 points separating 1st and 3rd! Well done to everyone who took part!” system, launched at Robin Park, Many congratulations to the winners Four Year 7 students from each Wigan the week before. Students of the 2015 Lathom Primary Maths ‘House’ at Lathom also competed. and staff worked together in their challenge. This provided an excellent opportunity Houses and there was strong for them to get involved in the primary competition to outperform the The results were: event and they demonstrated their other Houses by raising the most team spirit with determination not to money! let their House down!

The results were:

3rd St Thomas the Martyr Primary – Team members: Dominic Ford, Harry James, Jak Ford and Isobel Ware

3rd Radcliffe House – Team members: Alice Eadie, Bradley Petty, Kaya Kwantreng and Sophie Heron

The motivation came from the Headteacher, Jane Galbraith and her designated charity for 2nd Cobbs Brow Primary – Team the year – ‘Joseph’s Goal’. The members: Harry Marsh, Harrison Cox, Logan Dunn and Ryan Parry charity supports research to find better treatments and 2nd Bronte House – Team members: eventually a cure for Non-Ketotic Amy Lockhart, Ben J Jones, che Hyperglycinemia . The focus of Prunetti and Philip Woods the charity is Joseph Kendrick, a five year old boy who has NKH, a very rare life-limiting genetic disorder that severely affects his development. The whole school community is delighted 1st Brookfield Park Primary – Team to have made such a significant members, Owen Hunt, Ryan Hunt, George Ager and Zac Taylor contribution to ‘Joseph’s Goal’. Find out more about the charity Students and staff at Lathom High School 1st Livingstone House – Team supported by Lathom High, your would like to thank all of schools involved members, Holly Cotton, Molly Neild, local community in the event, as it couldn’t run without Elisha foster and Kaiza McCabe at www.josephsgoal.org. their continued support and involvement. WELCOME TO NEW STAFF

Lathom are delighted to inform you of some new appointments within our school teaching, pastoral and admin. Congratulations to Lee Baines, Rachel Baines, Amanda Baron, Christine Brown, Sharon Connelly, Lucie Golton, Debbie Grice, Collette Hoare, Rosalin Lazaroff, Paul Livesley, Louise Mawdsley, Helen McKinnon, Frank Meehan, Gemma Norris, Lindsey Penny, Alan Pye, Melanie Shanahan, Zoe Sherborne, Nicola Smith, Rachel Swords, Mike Sykes Wright, Susanna Taylor, Julie Thompson, Matthew Wilde. Name: FRANK MEEHAN Name: DEBBIE GRICE What do you do at Lathom? I am the new Head of RE. What do you do at Lathom? I am an Assistant Head of House. What does your role entail? Difficult this one. I am looking at ways to make Religious Education ‘cool’ in school. I think the What do you look forward to most in your new role? I majority of students enjoy the way I teach the lessons. I am looking into ways of getting all students to understand look forward to getting to know the students and making their responsibilities of being good spiritual, moral, social every day in Lathom a good day. and cultural (SMSC) people. What does your role entail? My role is to support What do you look forward students. I am here for to most in your new role? I students to talk to, remove look forward to taking on the challenge of putting RE on the any barriers to learning and ‘map’ of Lathom High School. encourage students in their daily lives at school. I also look forward to teaching the students the skills of Which house are you discussion/debate and never attached to? The best house being frightened of giving their own opinion as long as Radcliffe. they can back it up. What do you like about Which house are you Lathom? I like the nice happy attached to? Radcliffe feeling around school and the bacon and cheese paninis! What do you like about Lathom? The students Favourite colour? I can’t along with the challenge of engaging them in the subject. believe you’ve asked me that, it’s blue of course! Favourite colour? Orange for its brightness and how it stands out among other colours. Favourite film? Grease.

Favourite film? ‘The long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996) Favourite song? Sweet Child of Mine.

Favourite song? ‘Caledonia’ – Celtic song about missing the Favourite food? That’s a difficult one, can’t decide place of birth between chocolate or cheese and grapes. Favourite food? Fish, chips and mushy peas from the chippy on a Friday night – It’s the law! What football team do you support? I would like to say a blue team but my heart belongs to the reds, the fantastic What football team do you support? Manchester United – Liverpool! the best team in the WORLD! I also follow Wigan Athletic as my local team. One random thing about you? I am a terrible singer so if One random thing about you? I am married with seven there’s a karaoke about, don’t let me go on it or get your children ear plugs out!

Lathom High School held its first ever Art; House competition on Friday 16 October. The competition was held in correlation to the national ‘BIG DRAW’ event. This year’s theme was ‘every picture tells a story’. The students involved were asked to think about their favourite book or story. They then based their artwork on their chosen book/story. Students spent the day in art, creating their art work. There was one winner chosen for each year group and an overall winner. They are: Adrienn Baczur, Year 7, Bronte House Sophie Parry, Year 8, Bronte House Emily Wakefield, Year 9, Livingstone House Ailsa Hodge, Year 10, Rosalind House

The work will be displayed in school, for other students to look at and enjoy. Mrs Windridge Curriculum leader for Creative Arts said ‘We were very excited about the event and it was wonderful to see the art work that the students were creating throughout the day. Well done to all who participated’. Overall Winner, Livingstone House Nathan Gallagher, year 10 FEEDBACK FROM PRIMARY NEW SENIOR PREFECT of parents and staff said their child/children TEAM SELECTED 100% enjoyed coming to Lathom High School 100% of parents and staff said they would be happy In the summer term we selected a new senior for their child/children to attend other primary prefect team to take the lead for 2015/16. programmes offered at Lathom High School. The year 10 hopefuls were put through the selection process and Head Teacher Mrs of parents were happy with the service Lathom Galbraith recalled the calibre of applicants was 100% offered your child’s . extremely high. of children enjoyed coming to Lathom High 92% School. We are delighted to announce that the following students have been successful and will start their new roles with of children enjoy the primary project they immediate effect: Head Boy Adam Smith, Head Girl Amber 93% attended at Lathom High School. Finlay, Deputy Head Boys Bradley Dowling and Jay McEverley, Deputy Head Girls Charlie Stoner and Alisha of children would like to take part in other Parry, Head of Student support Chloe Vaill, School Council 85% primary class offered at Lathom High School Molly Evans and Rebecca Brown, Senior Prefects Chris Collins, Michael Hart, Declan Heron, Bethany Muirhead, Matthew Ockleshaw, Bethany Robinson, Tesa Tomsone LHS STUDENTS VISIT and Sports Captains, Rob Ward, Lucy Newby, Mia Ager, Abby Johnston and Sam Green – congratulations to all of ORMSKIRK COUNCIL CHAMBERS you.

On Wednesday 14 October Lathom Life took the time to find out a little bit more about twelve year 9 student’s our new Head Boy and Head Girl; visited Ormskirk Council Chambers for Local Name: ADAM SMITH Democracy Week with Mayor Nikki Hennessey. Reason why you wanted to become Head Students were involved Boy? in discussions about I wanted to become Head Boy because changing the law relating to anti-social behaviours. This I want to help improve the school in the then followed on by a vote. All students talked in depth with best way I can and to listen to everyone’s Nikki Hennessey about her role as Mayor and what the views to improve Lathom for everyone to Chambers where used for. Afterwards, they were invited enjoy. I also wanted to become Head Boy into the Mayors chamber to have some refreshments. because I enjoy working with everyone around me. Miss Clarke who arranged and attended the day How did you feel when you found out the news? said “Students have I was so pleased and excited to hear the news as I had experienced what our achieved what I set out to do. democracy system is like and are able to share their How are you planning on carrying out your role? experiences with students By doing the best I can to help around school and make it across school. A lovely enjoyable for all the students and the students who are yet afternoon was had by all.” to come to Lathom.

Name: AMBER FINLAY Reason why you wanted to become Head Girl? I wanted to become Head Girl as I have always wanted an important role in school. I believed that it would be an honour to represent Lathom and it would to help improve the school the best I can.

How did you feel when you found out the news? When I found out I was Head Girl I was overjoyed and shocked at the same time! This role was something I had always wanted and when I achieved this I felt extremely proud.

How are you planning on carrying out your role? I will carry out my role by helping old and new students around school and aid them achieve their goals. LHS SPORTS NEWS Sky Sports Living Athlete Natasha Jonas visits LHS

LHS Celebrate On Wednesday 14 Cross Country October, Lathom welcomed Sky Success Sports Living Athlete Natasha On the 12 October 2015 Lathom Jonas. During High School went to Tarleton for her time with us cross country. We took years 7, Natasha spoke 8 and 9. The people who stood to our GCSE PE out for Lathom were Jodi Kay, cohort about Leo McKenna and Saul Dale. her journey They all achieved top 10. into boxing and the barriers she had to overcome to be successful. She then went on to deliver a boxing master When everybody went to Tarleton class to students from years 7-10. they were quite excited but when those three people came in the Year 7 student Sophie Heron top ten they were quite pleased. relished the opportunity “we The reason why Jodi, Leo and Saul had so much fun and it was stood out is because they were hard work, we learnt valuable determined and never gave up. skills. Even our teachers joined So out of about 45 students they in some of the challenges, it gained an amazing achievement. was that good I am now trying By Jodi Kay, year 8, to find a club to join”. Radcliffe House. WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT?

Monday 9 November: Tuesday 3 December: Parents Drop in Surgery Y19 District Badminton 1:40—4:20pm Lathom & OLQP Wednesday 18 November: Wednesday 5 December: U13 Girls Football, at Ormskirk Y8 District Badminton Tuesday 24 November: Lathom & OLQP Y9 Athletics, at St Bedes Thursday 10 December: Thursdays 26 November: Y11 Christmas Celebration Y12 Awards Evening Saturday 12 & Monday 30 November: Sunday 13 December: Parents Drop in Surgery Y11 France Christmas 1:40—4:20pm Market Trip Tuesday 1 December: Monday 14 December: Y11 District Badminton Parents Drop in Surgery Lathom & OLQP 1:40—4:20pm Wednesday 2 December: Tuesday 15 December: Christmas Talent Show—7pm Y8 Subject Consultation Evening Thursday 3 December: Thursday 17 December: Y10 District Badminton Christmas Reward Trip Lathom & OLQP Monday 7 December: Parents Drop in Surgery 1:40—4:20pm