Issue 2 Final Copy

News From Highcliffe Highcliffe School, Parkside, Highcliffe, Christchurch, BH23 4QD E-mail : newsletter@highcliffe.dorset.sch.uk Contents...... A school ,just like any family, sees its share of arrivals and departures, Welcome to Mr O’- both happy and sad. It is such events that dominate this issue of ‘News from Highcliffe’. Connor Happy arrivals and the saddest of departures. We also have very good news on the .....page 1 achievements front with many reports of success by students both as teams and as individu- Obituaries als, in and out of school. Many of these stories come to us via proud parents, please keep .....page 2 them coming; we wish to celebrate all the good things that our young (and not so young) In the community people do. To quote Mr Griffiths, a local resident who was kind enough to contact us after .....page 3 the last newsletter ‘It is good to see, at last, a positive image of young people. Negativity Global Rock Chal- must depress the decent schoolchildren as much as it does older people.’ Thank you Mr lenge Griffiths for your kind words. Keep those comments coming in, folks. This is the last issue .....page 4 that will be called ‘News from Highcliffe’. There is still time to come up with the winning General News & suggestion for the new name to grace the April edition - the prize is a £20 CD/Book to- Events ken - entry form on the back .....page 5 Forthcoming Events The Editor .....page 6 The International Di- mension Welcome to our new Deputy Head .....page 7 It gives us great pleasure to announce to you fruitful and long association with him as a Congratulations & all the appointment of a new Deputy Head- member of the Highcliffe community and Reply Slip teacher from the beginning of the summer feel sure that everyone will work to help him .....page 8 term. Nick O’Connor (41), married with feel settled and valued as quickly as possi- four young children (all girls), joins us from ble. Budmouth Technology College where he is Editorial currently the Assistant Principal. In a wide Team...... ranging career he has worked in a variety of comprehensive schools, including those with GM and Specialist College status. With Bi- Assistant Editors ology as his main subject, his portfolio has Tom Coombs (10.2) stretched to Psychology and a number of Alex Smith (10.1) care-related subjects on the vocational side Jenny Tuck (10.3) Reporters of the curriculum. He has been a Head of Grahame Garlick (10.1) Sixth Form at two schools prior to his ap- Laura Ellison (9.5) pointment at Budmouth. His current respon- Emma Thompson (9.8) sibilities include curriculum design Gemma Lane (7.3) Annaleigh Cutler (7.3) (especially related to the 14-19 curriculum), Richard Milford (7.3) the development of work-related learning Rory Johnson (7.6) programmes, value added analysis and Qual- Staff Photographer ity Assurance systems (particularly at Key Sam Miller (10.2) Editor Stage 5). During the interview process he Mr P.Coughlan made a strong impression, , on governors, the senior management team, staff and stu- Vol.1 Issue 2- March 2002 dents alike. We look forward to a happy,

News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 Page 1 Hannah Lynch - Courage & Radiance

struggling with illness, have known her”. but because the strength of her personality was Our thoughts and an inspiration. Her prayers at this time are husky laugh and radiant with Paul, Liz, Pauline smile will never be for- and Craig. gotten by those who had the privilege to know and teach her.

In 1999 she was given the Louise Ashdown Award for courage, as Farewell, she exhibited the same determination and lack of self-pity as Louise It is also with great sad- had done years before. ness that we note the She always tried her passing of former head- hardest to keep up with teacher Harry Mckie. the work in her subjects, Harry was head at the despite having to have a school from 1972 to lot of time off for treat- 1987. He oversaw the ment, working with a change to the Compre- tutor at home when too hensive system and a ill to attend, and she steady rise in examina- never expected special tion success He was a One of Highcliffe’s She then went on to allowances to be made. true gentleman who had most courageous ex- study Media at Brock- She showed the matur- an abundance of wis- students, Hannah enhurst College. ity of someone older in dom, humanity and Lynch, died at Poole coming to terms with common sense. An emi- Hospital on Wednesday Hannah never let her her situation, and in her nently logical person, 20th February, aged 17. illness take over. She courage and determina- he always seemed to On Tuesday 26th Febru- was determined to live tion. know the right thing to ary, staff and former the life of a normal do whatever the circum- students of the school teenage girl, despite Hannah will be greatly stance. His gracious attended the thanksgiv- pain and unpleasant missed by those who manner earned him the ing service celebrating treatments. Her person- knew her. She was so respect of all those who her life. ality shone out: her pretty, vivacious and came into contact with sparkly sense of fun, her fun-loving. The bright- him. Hannah had suffered direct way of speaking ness of her personality from cystic fibrosis and her active intelli- will always shine in our We at Highcliffe school since babyhood and of- gence. She had an un- memories. owe him an immense ten required hospital failing zest for life and a debt of gratitude for his treatment, which inter- warmth which drew oth- Mr Mills, Hannah’s excellent leadership and rupted her studies, but ers to her in affection. head of year at High- he will be remembered she wrote or dictated She was loved and re- cliffe spoke for all who by staff and students her GCSE exams whilst spected by her fellow knew her at the school alike with great affec- in hospital and achieved students, not because insaying simply, “It was tion. 5 passes at grades A-C. they pitied someone our huge privilege to

Page 2 News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 In the Community

place at Hoburne Park. ganisers, Bournemouth New Political Star? Organised by Mr Gill, the Symphony Orchestra, event was aimed at secon- thanking the school for represent young people, dary school students from providing space for work- making sure that their Years 9-13. Forty-four shops and rehearsals. voices are heard prop- prospective employers They particularly would erly,” says Jasmine. and further education or- like to thank the caretaker “Certainly there are many ganisations exhibited. Mr Ambrose for all his things that young people Among the exhibitors assistance. The second feel strongly about, such were many large local was from the Mayor of as the lack of facilities employers, NHS Trusts, Christchurch, Councillor available to them.” One Dorset Police, the Uni- Mrs Josephine Spencer, of the key issues raised by formed Services and a who enjoyed the perform- Jasmine during the elec- number of colleges and ance enormously and was tion was a campaign for universities. Most stu- pleased to learn that so one age for the payment dents came away from the many Highcliffe students of adult fares and one stands with plenty of bro- were involved in the per- price scheme on all buses chures. In addition, the formance. Well done to in the region. A great Christchurch Sixth Form all involved. deal of hard work lies was also a big hit, with all Jasmine Rouf of Year 11 ahead for Jasmine as she three Heads of Sixth (Mr may well have taken the canvasses hard between Pearce, Ms Graven, Mr first steps on a new career now and July to get the Matthews) being kept ‘Stop, Look, Listen’ path a few weeks ago. Jas- views of young people busy. Students found the mine has been elected as before attending the na- whole event very useful, one of the two Dorset mem- tional sitting of the “I found the evening very ‘Stop, Look, Listen’ is the bers of the United Kingdom UKYP in Liverpool. She helpful, I didn’t have any title of a programme de- Youth Parliament (UKYP). has already attended the idea what I wanted to do vised by the A Level Per- The objectives of the South-West regional before I came but I‘ve got formance Studies group UKYP is to give a political meeting and was made a lots of ideas now.” (Yr 9 to teach Year 1 pupils voice at the national level reserve to attend the UN Highcliffe student). Many how to keep safe on the to people under the age of Earth Summit in Johan- thanks to all the staff in- road. It was performed at 18, giving them a chance to nesburg later this year. volved and to the exhibi- St Mark’s Infants School influence policy matters at We keep our fingers tors for their efforts. for an entranced audience Report by Jenny Tuck (10.3) the highest levels. The crossed that she makes it. of 60. Drama, dance and election was held at the If you have any issues music are integrated into

Springfield Hotel in Ware- that you would like Jas- a story which also in- ham and after the delivery mine to raise you can volves much audience of the campiagn speeches contact us at the newslet- participation. Working in Jasmine topped the poll. ter. Rusty Musicians say conjunction with the Dor- Jasmine is a dedicated Report by Alex Smith (10.1) a big thank you set Road Safety Team the member of the school coun- group had access to props cil, which is where she was We have recently re- such as working traffic bitten by the political bug, ceived two letters in con- lights. The programme she is definitely thinking nection with the ‘Rusty & was such a success that they have been asked to about becoming a fully- Careers Information Not So Rusty Musicians’ fledged MP in the future. “I Concert which took place tour the county’s schools enjoy speaking in front of On Wednesday 20th Feb- at Weymouth Pavilion on spreading the road safety large groups of people and ruary this year’s careers Sunday 24th February. message. Report by Mrs McGrath I am particularly keen to information evening took The first was from the or-

News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 Page 3 Major Success at Global Rock

Four Successful Teams: shire schools. It has Over the past fortnight steadily grown in the re- Highclife School has seen gion since then, becoming the culmination of two a two centre event with terms of hard effort by so audiences of around many students and mem- 10,000 people each year. bers of staff. On two occa- Deserved Success: sions, once in Southampton This year Mr Gould be- and once in Bournemouth, came very ambitious and four teams from the school decided to enter four performed brilliantly and teams for the event: Sixth impressed the judges in the Form, Year 11, Year 10 regional heats of the and Lower School. As 1st and 2nd places overall 10 performance was a ‘Global Rock’ competition. you can see from the re- as well as picking up a very dramatic presenta- Positive Messages: sults box all four teams goodly proportion of the tion about the decision The ‘Global Rock Chal- found some measure of minor trophies. The Year between right and wrong lenge’ started in the early called ‘Always Remem- 1980’s in Sydney as a local ber’ and achieved 2nd drama school competition, place. The lower school aimed at encouraging team was made up of stu- young people to come to- dents from Years 7-9. gether and use their skills Everyone who saw their and energy towards creative performance thought it rather than destructive pur- outstanding but Mr Gould suits, particularly with a thought they had missed very strong anti-drugs mes- their chance when the Yr sage. In 1988 with the in- 10 Team was awarded volvement of a local radio second prize. The joy was station the competition unconfined when the an- went throughout Australia, nouncement came that featuring 40,000 Australian they had won and can students from over 400 now look forward to the schools. success. Special men- regional finals in Ports- In 1995 Mark Pontin of the tion must be made of RESULTS mouth in May. Hampshire constabulary the two younger teams Mr Gould wants to use saw the festival and was so who were entered for this space to express his impressed that he decided the event in Bourne- Lower School pride in all the partici- to introduce it to Hamp- mouth. They achieved Overall 1st pants and also to thank Best Choreography everybody involved, the Year 10 students and the teachers Overall 2nd both on stage and behind Best Drama the scenes. “There are far Best Soundtrack too many to mention by Year 11 name but we all know who they are.” Overall 2nd Report by Rory Johnson & Best Lighting Richard Milford (Yr 7) Year 12 Best Drama

Page 4 News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 General News & Events

Chelmsford in Essex. PE & Sports News Emma Jones (Year 10) From the LRC Forty-five counties were Emma (see photo below) represented on the day, took part very success- Victorious Netball Teams each fielding a team of WORLD BOOK DAY fully in the SW Schools The U14 team has reached eight runners. The field As part of World Book Sports Acro Champoin- the semi-final of the area was extremely strong and Day we are holding a ships. These took place at plate tournament, beating the course very challeng- Book Fair in the Resource Sherborne on the 3rd Homefield 16-14 in a very ing. Anna was this time Centre all this week March with 71 schools hard fought match. placed a creditable 199th (Monday 18th - Friday taking part. Emma had to In an equally tense struggle, out of 360 runners, the 22nd March), to which all complete 3 different rou- the U16 side beat Twyn- second Dorset runner to students, teachers, parents tines to win the gold ham 15-14 to reach the fi- finish. and governors are invited. medal in the Under 19 nal of the same competition We congratulate her for Parents are invited to Girls Tumbling competi- in their age group. all her efforts. Well done. the school between tion. As a result she will Anna! 1.30pm and 2pm on any be taking part in the Na- of these days. Simply re- tional Championships in Cross-Country port to reception on ar- Three students from the Stoke-on-Trent on 20th rival. It is an opportunity Jamie Currie (Year 8) school represented Bourne- April. We wish her luck to use your World Book Jamie represented Dorset mouth & Christchurch in and will report to you on Day token, which every in the Norwich Union the Dorset Schools Cross- her progress. student has received. To- Sports Hall Regional Fi- Country Championships at kens can be used in part nal. He did himself and Weymouth on January payment for any book the school proud, winning 19th: Anna Bewley (Yr 11), priced over £1.95 at the the gold medal in the Verity Allin (Year 10) and Book Fair or in partici- Boys Under-14 ‘4-lap’ Matthew Nightingale (Year pating shops until 30th event. 7). All three performed March. The school re- with credit. Anna was se- ceives commission on all lected to run for Dorset at sales, so the more money Danny Toop (Year 10) the South West Schools you spend the more free Danny has recently Championships and Verity books our students re- passed his ‘Referees’ was asked to be a reserve ceive. course (Football). This for the team. This Inter- was a very difficult ex- County Championship was amination at the end of a hosted by Somerset, with long course. He achieved Samantha Norman the race taking place at 51/60 and 36/40 in the (Year 10) Samantha has Book Fair Taunton Racecourse on two sections. He is now a been selected for the February 2nd. The day was in the Level 8 qualified referee RYA Volvo Cadet South wet and the course muddy and is able to referee any Zone Squad. This is a big with winds gusting to Force match with the players achievement. She has LRC 9. Anna was placed 33rd coming from a younger been recognised as one of out of 80 runners, which age group than himself. the best 12 sailors in her made her the highest placed 1.25 - He will automatically be- age group (U18) and boat member of the Dorset team. come a Level 7 referee on class (Cadet). Even more As a result, she was se- 2pm his 16th birthday. In addi- impressive is that she is lected to represent Dorset tion, he also runs the line only one step away from at the National Schools at the AFC Bournemouth selection for the National All Week Championships which took School of Excellence. squad. Well done! place on March 9th at Spend

News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 Page 5 One of the perennial complaints of parents in all schools is that they often do not Forthcoming get to hear about important school events until after the date. Therefore in each issue of the newsletter we will be pointing out the key forthcoming events for the next month or so. With only one document to go home with all dates in, there Events... should be more chance of it reaching its destination. It also allows us to give you warning of changes to the school calendar which are occasionally unavoidable.

General School Events · Monday 18th March - Year 11 Science Coursework 1c - Deadline · Monday 18th - Friday 22nd March - Year 11 invited to Sixth Form information sessions · Wednesday 20th March - Year 8 Parent-Teacher consultation evening · Friday 22nd March - Year 11 National Records of Achievement Completed · Friday 22nd March - Term Ends at 2.00pm · Monday 8th - Friday 19th April : Year 10 Examinations · Thursday 11th April - Year 12 Parent -Teacher Consultation · Monday 15th - Friday 19th April : Sixth Form Recruitment Week · Monday 22nd - Friday 26th April: Year 10 Geography Fieldwork (Hydrology) This Week Come to the ¨ All week - Japanese Exchange FASHION SHOW Visit at ¨ All Week - Book Fair in the Re- source Centre HIGHCLIFFE SCHOOL ¨ Term Ends on Friday 22nd Thursday, 21st March, 7.30pm March Adult £4.50 - Child £2.00 Tickets Available on the Door

As part of our information service we have collected the information from faculty areas regarding the regular clubs, societies, meetings, Regular Clubs and coaching sessions and other activities which occur after school and for which you may need to organise transport for your child. This list will be updated as and when new activities are introduced. Societies

AFTER-SCHOOL (Generally 3.30pm-4.30pm)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

Exp Arts Rehearsals Exp Arts Rehearsals ‘Fast-Start’ French Drama Club Years 7-13 Badmin- Year 9 Football Italian Italian Years 7-11 Netball ton String Group Year 7/8 Football Japanese Years 10/11 Football Guitar Club (Lunch) Girls Football Chamber Choir Guitar Club (Lunch) Wind Ensemble

Page 6 News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 The school sees its responsibilities as a Language College as going beyond the teaching of languages. It is about giving The our young people a true sense of the world at large as well as their responsibilities and their opportunities within it. A vital International component of this is the development of links with our part- ner schools whether via electronic technology or by the use Dimension of personal experience.

Singing for Cliff did his rehearsing at lessons in school. During 5.30 and we could hear their stay they will be re- Charity him when we were eating ceived by the Mayor in Old Toys our dinner. I got really his parlour, visit the Pri- excited when the audi- ory, the Roman Baths at Wanted Harriet Alcock (Year 9) ence started coming in at Bath and Stonehenge. The 10th of March was a 6.30pm. The concert The group will take an ac- Do you have any un- very exciting day for Har- lasted from 7pm to about tive part in our twilight wanted toys in your house riet (see picture in next col- 9.30pm. It was so excit- Japanese classes during in reasonable condition? umn) as she had the experi- ing, everybody was the week as well as com- If so, why not let them go ence of a lifetime, whilst at screaming and shouting pete on the football field to a good home? Phone the same time helping to and singing along. I had a and basketball court, en- Mrs P.Tuck on 01202 raise a considerable sum of really great day.” joy an opportunity to at- 479069. We can collect money to goto help pay for tend the Fashion Show in the local area and un- medical equipment and aid and will be bid farewell at dertake some repairs. We for people in various Afri- an end-of-week luncheon. then send the toys out to can countries. It is planned that a small orphanages in countries group of Highcliffe stu- such as Thailand, Roma- Big Stars dents will make the first nia and Latvia. The reason for Harriet’s ex- return trip to Japan in Oc- citement was that she was tober! taking part in a big charity concert called ‘Reaching Out for Africa’, organised by Patti Boulaye, at the Multicultural Workshops Royal Albert Hall. The concert featured a number of headlining acts such as Report by Laura Ellison & Sir Cliff Richard, Gabrielle Emma Thompson (Yr 9) and Boney M. Also featured was Uri Geller. Japanese Harriet’s Day Here is Harriet’s diary for the day. “We had to be at the Royal Albert Hall for Welcome to the eleven 8.30am for a 9.00am start. students and two staff We started to rehearse dif- from Johoku Senior High ferent songs throughout the School from Hiroshima, Year 8 students enjoyed a BC and coming right up day. ‘Amazing Grace’, Japan. This is the inaugu- number of multi-cultural to the present. Our thanks ‘This little Light of Mine’, ral visit for the new ex- workshops this week. Fea- to Angela Joynson and ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and change that we hope will tured were a range of ac- DEED (Development ‘Oh Happy Day’. The best run each year. The group tivities exploring the multi- Education in Dorset) for part was in the afternoon arrived safely and the cultural history of the Brit- arranging and leading the when Gabrielle came and Japanese students have ish Isles, going all the way workshops. we rehearsed with her. Sir joined their partners in back to thousands of years

News from Highcliffe, Issue 2 - March 2002 Page 7 As you will know from the (very successful) call for information we Congratulations... made last term, the school believes it is very important that we recog- nise the achievements made by all of the members of the school community. This applies whether those achievements are academic, sporting or social and also whether they are made in school or outside school. Thus a regular part of this newsletter will be the sharing of this information and we ask that parents contact us with any relevant information.

As advertised in the last issue, in this edition of the newsletter we devote the congratulations section to the students who achieved a 100% attendance record for the Autumn term. In doing so we do not only congratulate the children but also give a big thank you to their parents/guardians who ensure that the students arrive keen and eager to learn on each and every school day. So, to the students listed below and these not so little people behind the scenes we say, “Thank You”. Year 7 - S.Austin, E.Thorpe, A.Wilcox, L.Beirne, C.Barrett, G.Rabbetts, G.Lane, T.Errington, A.Cutler, W. Gunnell, S.Taylor, R.Hiron, N.Baker, K.Thomas, J.Curley, A.Doyle, N.Shilton, B.Joy, J.Liddicoat, L.Rixon, C. Dow, E.Perry, B.Shaw, D.Trudgeon, K.Webster, A.Frost, G.Nightingale, J.Sloane. Year 8 - J.Balson, L.Barrett, S.Beardmore, A.Dunstan, S.Fox, J.Hooper, J.Hinton, R.Shutler, C.Dale, A. Daszykowski, A.Gardiner, J.Hannibal, C.Parkes, O.Al-Sheikley, D.Blackbourn, J.Currie, J.Curtis, A.Browning, K. Hunt, L.Rolt, R.Boivin, K.Gould, S.Quesnell, M.Shield, S.Chaffey, A.Etheridge, M.Smith, K.Stretch. Year 9 - A-L.Campbell, M.Dalby, J.Albin, E.Hill, S.Underwood, H.Massarweh, E.Indge, N.Bush-Hipwood, S. Martin, C.Saunders, M.Beardmore, N.Brawn, S.Dade, L.Goodman, A.Satherley, A.Wakeling, J.Wilcox. Year 10 - G.Garlick, A.Badley, L.Pulfer, S.Yates, J.Colehan, L.Jervis, N.Watts, S.Bailey, J.Banks, E.Casalicchio, Jordan Curtis, S.Laughlin, D.Liddicoat, L.Smith, D.Phillips, B.Silverwood, Jenny Curtis, S.Newman, D.Page. Year 11 - D.Edie, A.Etheridge, R.Fulford, S.Hoad, S.Phillips, R.Blair, C.Dunmore, R.Rolph, M.Traylor, L. MacGrath, B.Quirke, B.Tresman, A.Bull, H.Chard, J.Chevillard, D.Sclanders, J.Brooks, N.Johnson, K.Rolt, L. Goodfellow, L.Ford. STOP PRESS : We have just heard that Alice Wilcox (7.1) became the National U13 Girls TrampolineChampion at the weekend. Look out for a full report in the next issue

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