December 2019

This term has seen many highlights: from our Principal’s Welcome Student Council putting local general election candidates through their paces at our very own I would like to open my first Academy Update West Question Time, through to address by expressing my heartfelt thanks to all welcoming back our former students at our Star the parents, carers, students and staff who have Awards evening last month. West Craven choir welcomed me so warmly into West Craven High delighted a packed audience at our annual School over the last half term. There can be no Winter Concert and the choir from the charity doubt that I join the school at an important and ‘Bethany Children’s Home’ wowed us at specially very challenging time in its history. Over the last arranged assemblies this month. Our team and few years student examination results have individual performances continue to dominate been disappointing, student attendance has school sport across the Pendle area with winners been below the national average and the in cross-country, badminton, table tennis and number of students excluded from school for football to name but a few. poor behaviour is too high. My priority as the new Principal is to continue the work already I would also like to thank Sophie Hollingworth

undertaken by Pendle Education Trust in our Data and Examinations Assistant who leaves improving educational standards. I am delighted us to join the Coop Academy in to announce that we have recently appointed January. Sophie always goes the extra mile in two new Deputy Principals to further strengthen supporting students in what can be an anxious our senior leadership team. Sally Sumner joined time. We all wish her well for the future.

us in November from Upper Wharfedale School In closing, I would like to personally thank you for and has a proven track record in driving up your continued support and wish you and your standards in the quality of teaching, learning and families a relaxing Christmas break and a behaviour. Graham Hazelwood will join us in peaceful New Year. January. Graham was instrumental in the Best wishes transformation of Batley Boys High School Mrs Tracy Foy - Principal where both student outcomes and attendance improved under his leadership. I have a very clear vision for the school and I have been privileged to work alongside staff who share my values. As a team we are committed to helping students achieve their very best. West Craven High School will be transformed over the coming months and years, and I look forward to updating you with our achievements on our journey to becoming a world class school.

6 Term Begins 4 Curriculum Evening

13 Elevate – Year 11, Ace your Exams Key Stage 4 February

15 PSHE Day 2 10 Year 10 Elevate January Time Management 20 World Religion Day 11 Safer Internet Day 27 Holocaust Memorial Day

11 Year 10 Parents’ Evening

29 Staff Training 4:15 – 7pm No after school clubs 14 School closes for half term 30 Year 7 reports issued

31 Young Carers Awareness Day Remembrance Sunday On Remembrance Sunday our Principal, Head Boy and Head Girl attended the remembrance ceremony in . Staff Welcome Students in school observed a period of silence to remember all those who gave their tomorrow for our We would like to offer a warm today. welcome to staff who have recently joined the West Craven team. Lest We Forget.

Sally Sumner Deputy Principal

A little visitor to Child European Wado-Kai Development lesson Medal Winner

On the last day of last term, Friday 18 October, In early November, Year 10 student, Nathan our Year 11 Child Development students had a Kay travelled to Budapest, Hungry to represent visit from Director of English, Mrs Stoker’s son in the 47th European Wado-Kai Cup in Julian. both the Kata and Kumite (fighting) categories. 12 month old, adorable Julian really brought the Nathan was selected to compete for England at course to life, with our students showing interest Wado-Kai Karate, one of 17 different countries and enthusiasm and asking Mrs Stoker to compete, and the largest karate event that questions about his development. Nathan participates in. Having worked extremely hard over the past 8 years to reach The course covers all aspects of child this level, and giving 100% in Budapest, Nathan development from conception to five years, with was rewarded with two silver medals: one in students developing their essential theoretical Kumite (fighting), one in Kata, and one bronze knowledge and practical skills needed to create medal for team Kata. the best conditions for a child’s development Nathan has been a member of Pendle Karate and well-being. Club for over seven years, training three nights The students have completed half of their OCR a week with coach, Steve Grant. Child Development course and they are Congratulations Nathan, a fantastic currently studying nutrition which includes achievement! breast and bottle feeding and weening, so this adorable little chappie really helped with their studies. Teacher, Miss Royston said, “Several students in this class wish to develop their knowledge in this field when they progress to further education, so this was a great opportunity for them. It was wonderful to see them so passionate about this subject.”

Pendle Schools 7 a-side Pendle Schools Football Football Champions

Well done to our Year 7 footballers who were runners up in the Pendle Schools 7 a-side Football Tournament. Played on Friday, 22 November, at Fisher More, the team gave an all-round fantastic performance. Well done to all the players: Corey Cowgill, Ben Harrison, Grace Hindley, Scarlett Leary, Brandon Mayor, Alfie Morrison and Rafael Phipps. Congratulations to player of the tournament Scarlett Leary. Results v Primet Academy – 4-0 win v Fisher More – 1-0 win v Pendle Vale 1-1 v Park High – 1-0 loss Well done to our Year 9 boys who won the Pendle Schools 7 a-side Football Tournament. On Friday, 8 November, at Fisher More, the team put on a superb performance and remained unbeaten throughout the competition. Well done to: Rhys Baker, Harry Baldwin, Callum Beck, Oliver Coupe, Leo Garner, Kian Pickering, Kian Noon and Danyaal Shazada. Congratulations to Rhys Baker who was given Player of the Tournament. Results v Park High 0-0 v Pendle Vale 3-1 v Marsden Heights 4-0 v Fisher More 3-0

Football Friendly

Well done to the West Craven girls mixed year football squad who put on a fantastic performance when they played a friendly match against Primet Academy, on Thursday 28 November.

This was the first match for the mixed year squad, with all the girls playing exceptionally well and putting on a brilliant team performance. Well done to team captain Rachele Borseti and congratulations to player of the match, Paige Barnes, who scored a hat-trick! A great team effort with a 7-2 win under their belt. A great result!

Pendle Schools Badminton

Pendle Schools Badminton Tournaments have been taking place throughout November.

Students compete in the group stages of the tournament and group winners continue through to the knock-out rounds. Under 14’s Girls Singles The under 14’s Girls Tournament took place at Pendle Vale on Monday, 18 November. Despite our girls playing against Year 9 students, Year 7 student, Rosie Hill won her group to compete in the final, with Year 7 student Freya Craddock and Year 8 student Darci Whittaker finishing 3rd and 2nd respectively in their groups. In the final round Rosie played against a Year 9 student from Fisher More, who also plays for . Playing extremely well, demonstrating determination and resilience, Rosie came runner up in a closely fought final. Under 16’s Girls Singles Tuesday 19 November, was the Under 16’s Girls Tournament, which saw Year 10 student, Poppy Hill finishing runner up, losing to a county player in a closely fought final.

Dynamic Duos bag Badminton Doubles! Under 14’s Doubles Champions Monday, 25 November, was the Pendle Schools Doubles Tournament at Pendle Vale, when Year 7 students Rosie Hill and Freya Craddock, Year 8 students Martha Green and Darci Whittaker represented West Craven. Martha and Freya, Rosie and Darci teamed up to compete against all the Pendle schools. Both pairings played well with Rosie and Darci making it through to the final, resulting in a fantastic winning performance. Congratulations to Rosie and Darci who finished the overall tournament winners. Under 16’s Doubles Champions Monday, 2 December, was the Under 16s Pendle Schools Badminton Tournaments at Pendle Vale. West Craven were represented by pairings Darci Whittaker and Victoria Whiteside, Laura Hadfield and Katie Wilkinson and sisters Rosie and Poppy Hill. Both Darci and Victoria came 3rd out of their pairs round, with Laura and Katie also coming 3rd in their round. The Hall sisters made it through to the final, playing some fantastic badminton along the way. Well done on bagging a win, against Park High, in what turned out to be a close fought final, with a finishing result of 21-18 to Rosie and Poppy. Well done to all who competed, some amazing team work along with some fantastic results!

Pendle Schools Badminton Mixed Doubles Champions

Congratulations to Poppy Hill and Alex Cruise-Brown who were the Under 16s Badminton Mixed Doubles Champions. Competing against other Pendle schools the duo met Park High in the final; winning with an impressive margin 21-15.

Well done! our PE Ambassadors, providing excellent support during the House Cross Country and two primary events: Cross Country and Year 5 and 6 Indoor Athletics. Primary Schools Cross Country – Held on Friday 22 November, this event was well supported by the feeder primary schools with each school sending a team of 5 boys and 5 girls. Congratulations to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary who won both the boys and girls event. Our ambassadors did a great job designing the course, marshalling, giving encouragement and handing our awards Indoor Athletics, Years 5 and 6 – This primary event took place on Thursday, 28 November at West Craven Sports Centre, with our ambassadors taking control, from setting up the venue to recording and encouraging the participants. The standard was excellent Sports Ambassadors and the students did themselves proud. Congratulations to Springfield, who won The role of the Sports Ambassador in school is to both the boys and the girls events: they will go support the PE department, playing a major on to represent Pendle in the district event. supportive role when the department is hosting House Cross Country – This was held on House and Primary events throughout the school Monday, 25 November, once again our year. ambassadors did a fantastic job of setting up The last week in November was a busy week for the course and marshalling the event. events

Pendle Schools Cross Country

The event was held on Wednesday, 27 November at Holt House . West Craven were represented by over 30 students in a variety of different age group categories. The conditions led to a difficult afternoon where commitment and tenacity were very much the order of the day, with the team producing some excellent results and some amazing individual performances. Year 7 Student, Sasha Farrell was first in the Under 12s girls event and Year 11 student, Jack Villiers was first in the Boys under 16s event. The following students qualified to represent Pendle at the Lancashire Cross Country Championships at Blackburn, early in 2020. Sasha Farrell - 1st in the girls under 12s event. Logan McCredie - 2nd in the boys under 12s event. Ciara Duffy - 6th in the girls under 14s event. Kian Noon - 9th in the boys under 14s event. Jack Villiers - 1st in the boys under 16s event. Owen Anderson - 3rd in the boys under 16s event. Laura Hadfield - 3rd in the girls under 16s girls event. Many congratulation to you all.

Table Tennis Festival Bethany Children Choir On Tuesday, 10 December, West Craven boys took On Thursday, 12 December, the Bethany Children part in a Table Tennis Festival evening held at Pendle came into school. All students had the opportunity Vale; this was an invitational competition for Key to meet the children and hear them sing. Stage 3 students. This is a very small charity consisting of a school Competing against: Marsden Heights, Pendle Vale and children’s home in Tanzania which is and Primet Academy, all our boys performed to an supported by people in East Lancashire. At West excellent standard and were very difficult to beat Craven High School, we have had a long throughout the tournament. association with this charity and have been Stand out performances came from Year 7 student, fortunate enough to host the Bethany Project Rowan Lazenby and Year 8 student Jamie Preston, Choir on a number of occasions. The life of the who were both undefeated throughout the children in the choir is very different from the life tournament. we have. The children have all been orphaned, abandoned and frequently abused but literally Some fantastic performances made West Craven the saved from a life of destitution by the fantastic overall winners! work of the Bethany Project who offer the children a loving family and a good education and a future. Ms Grimshaw said, “They are inspirational and what strikes our children is how happy they are despite having nothing themselves, in terms of material possessions”. Thank you to all who donated, parents and students have been very generous at this special time of year.

Children in Need

West Craven High School joined the rest of the nation to support BBC Children in Need. To raise money, students and staff baked lots of sweet treats; with students Asia Holt and Ebony MacGregor baking and decorating their very own Pudsey Bear cake! Alongside the bake sale, there were lots of activities taking place in the gym, including giant Jenga, sweet pong and a penalty shoot- out; even Mrs Foy had a go! There was a great atmosphere among our students and staff making the day an immense success. Thank you to all who took part and donated, we raised £226.05

School Council - Question Time

On Monday, 2 December, the School Council held an Election ‘Question Time’ Special with four local Pendle Councillors, Conservative Member of Parliament for Pendle – Andrew Stephenson, Labour Council Councillor – Mr Azhar Ali, David Penney – Treasurer of the Green Party and Gordon Lishman – North West Liberal Democrats. Student Councillors asked a wide variety of questions about issues that matter to them; ranging from voting rights for 16 year olds, how they would improve Barnoldswick and the surrounding area for young people and how they would make the internet a safer place for young people. Year 8 student, Emily-Jayne Austin, said, “The councillors all listened carefully to each other’s points of view and I found that they all had similar ideas and beliefs.” Tracy Foy, Principal added, “The students certainly put the candidates through their paces, raising issues close to the hearts of young people. Billy, our Head Boy, is a commons speaker in the making ensuring good order throughout in his role as chair! Thank you to everyone who participated in a very interesting session.”

EBacc Awards One student from each class in the EBacc faculty was awarded ‘Star Student’, each winning a certificate, pencil and subject badge. Each student was also entered into the EBacc prize draw to win a £20 ‘Love2shop’ gift voucher - congratulations to Crystal Collinge who was the lucky winner! Miss Jowitt said, “I am very proud of all the pupils’ hard work and I wish them luck in the draw.” Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 Summer Anderson Mahrukh Ali Khan Muskan Ashraf Alicia Cracknell Harris Brierley Jacob Ariss Thomas Council Taylor-Jae Higson Freya Craddock Emily-Jayne Austin Ryan Darvill Dominic Kemp Rosie Hill Mya Baines Tyler Davidson Joe McCash Grace Hindley Kieran Baldwin Pippa Dean Callum Whiteley Jasmine Leah Lewis Blackburn Luke Doherty Katie Wilkinson Olivia Leary Ewan Bullock Halle Edwards Calleigh Riding Megan Dodd Madison Edwards Year 11 Casey Richardson Ryan Farrell Finley Firth Crystal Collinge Lottie Robinson Erys Gaul Harley Garner Lucas Riley Anna Salimpur David Hardwick Faith Hargreaves Morgan Smith Alfie Snowden Leland Hornby Chloe Johnstone Jack Villiers Noah Syers Charlotte Robinson Charlotte Kenyon Tom Waterworth Jack Trickett Fennella Turner Jack Kirby Kieran Webster Isobelle Moffat Darcy McPherson Olivia Waddington Lexi-Lea Milligan George West Isaac Taylor Alexander Waddington Poppy Walker

Competition Winner Crystal Collinge

Attendance Matters Fantastic Places Year 7 have been studying 'Fantastic Places' to hone their map skills and visit exotic and fascinating locations around the world. This inspired Lottie Robinson, 7B, to invite her friend Well done to all those who have managed Ellie to talk to students about her life in 100% attendance - a fantastic achievement! Tasmania. Over 200 students across school managed Ellie moved to Tasmania at the age of 8, from 100% attendance from Monday, 4 November to Colne. Now 19, she's been in the UK for a 11 December. month, visiting family and friends. Ellie showed Students were treated to a selection of biscuits the class some photographs of places she knows and buns with a Christmas theme. in Tasmania, and answered a whole variety of questions from the class about what life is like.

We learned her favourite chocolate is Cadbury's,

which she can't get in Tasmania. She really enjoys living in Tasmania, studying at university and working in a local restaurant, and when quizzed about football (soccer) she said she follows Burnley FC!

Geography ‘Fantastic Places’ Competition Over the course of the last term Year 7 have taken part in a Geography competition that has linked in with their geographical studies of 'Fantastic Places'. The brief was to create an information poster about their 'Fantastic Place!’ They could use images, symbols, maps and other creative ways of representing their ideas. Mrs Price and Mr Byrne were impressed with receiving over 50 entries to the competition, and the quality of the entries was amazing! “We had a really hard job choosing the best entries, and found it very difficult to pick an overall winner!” said Mr Byrne. In the end the entries were narrowed down to - Overall Winner Rosie Hill - 7.1 for her imaginative, creative and detailed drawings that brought China to life! Joint 2nd Place Evie MCallum - 7.1 for her clever use of colour and images to create an infographic style poster for Sydney. Grace Hindley - 7.4 for her clear use of colour, images and information that made us want to visit Disneyland with her too! Commendations Jasmine Leah - 7.5 for bringing together her personal memories and interest in Australia in a very geographical way. Violet Datkievicz - 7.1 for reminding us of the importance of family time together, especially at Christmas. Freya Craddock - 7.1 for choosing some very interesting facts and information to share about her dream holiday to Australia with her grandparents. Ryan Carleton - 7.3 for his clear identification of a variety of places to visit and activities to try out in Texas! All winners and commendations will receive Certificates of Achievement during their celebration assembly in the last week of term. Thank you to everyone who entered the competition, and well done to our winners! Look out next term for new competitions in Geography.

3D Cell Project Trust Christmas card As part of their topic on Organisms, Miss Competition Grant’s 7R group have been learning about cell structure. To reinforce learning students were Two amazing artists from West Craven were asked to create a 3D cell model as part of their runners up in the Trust Christmas Card homework project Competition. Miss Grant said, “I am thrilled with the standard Jacob Ariss and Darcy McPherson attended the of work the pupils have produced. It has been prize giving, with Mrs Whittle, at Castercliff wonderful to see their creativity - I hope they Primary Academy, owners of the biggest enjoyed making them! Christmas tree in the world! Outstanding efforts from Abbie Drake, Lilly- They met all the winners from the other four Grace Clayton, Grace Hindley, Calleigh Riding Academies in the Trust and each received a and Isaac Whiteley. Well done! certificate and a set of Christmas cards to send to friends and family.

Well done to you both and keep drawing!

Star Awards

Star of the Week

7.1 Ruby Beresford – For being brave after an injury in hockey. 7.2 Crystal Jewainat – Always being polite and trying her best. 7.3 Chloe Lee - Always polite and friendly and tries her best. 7.4 Rafael Phillips - For achieving a high number of points in class-charts across school this term for; good work in class, achievement outside class and being brilliant. Well done! 7.5 Usman Zia - Best Attendance in 7.5!

8.1 Lucas Catlow - Aspiring to be a role model student in Form. Well done. 8.2 Georgia Garbutt - For being an excellent role model and representing the form on the student council. 8.3 Lewis Blackburn - Always working hard and being polite. 8.4 Cordelia Rothwell - For improved behaviour and attitude in lessons - a huge improvement. 8.5 Minnie Williams and Jamie Preston - Completing task extensions in Technology and supporting several others to help them complete theirs. Outstanding learning.

9.1 Ruby Brown - For positivity and excellent attitude to learning. 9.2 All the form - For working together to make sure everyone had a complete set of equipment all week. 9.3 Harry Baldwin - For receiving 7 ASPIRE points on Class Charts in the last week and a half! 9.4 Danyaal Shazada - Danyaal is always helpful in form, with a mature and thoughtful attitude. 9.5 Halle Edwards - Good attitude.

10.1 Skye Beecroft - increasing maturity and punctuality. 10.2 Katie Wilkinson - Brilliant positive attitude and highest award points 10.3 Lily Pickles - Consistent positive attitude. Also a valued member of the student council. 10.4 Libby Foster-Bond - Always working hard and being polite. A high number of positive points on class charts and no negative points this year. 10.5 Joshua Thomas - Positive comments on class charts that show a good attitude to learning.

11.1 Sam Waddington - Positive attitude. 11.2 Beth Hope - Positive attitude to learning. 11.3 Sam Poole - For a positive attitude to learning and a mature work ethic. 11.4 Evie Roberts - Positive attitude towards school. 11.5 Courtney Frangleton - Most improved student for merits - Well done.

Accelerated Reader Year 8 Year 7 Mahrukh Ali Khan Casey Baines Emily-Jayne Austin Shannon Bailey x2 100% Club Kelsi-Morgan Bailey Ruby Beresford The following students have successfully read Molly Beedham Harris Brierley and quizzed on their reading book at 100% Lucas Catlow Taylor Camfield between the Jamison Craddock x2 Isabelle Chew 14 October 2019 – 13 December 2019 Megan Dodd Paige Davies Well done and congratulations to Ryan Farrell Ellie Dean Amabel Foster-Bond x3 Charlotte Dobson Georgia Garbutt Libby Edmondson x2 Florence Garrity Zak Fazackerley Erys Gaul x2 Joshua Glennon Violet Haworth x4 Michail Gounalakis Faith Henstock x3 Brett Harper Elle Honeyman Jasmine Hartley Harley Humphreys Rosie Hill x5 Sean Lewis Grace Hindley x2 Jacob Miller Alfred Holman 100% Club Isobelle Moffat x2 Mason-Jay Honeyman Lucy Nicholas Rayan Houssairy x3 Deacon Ottewell Isabelle Jesson Year 7 Rose Piskorska x4 Crystal Jewainat Jamie Preston Lily Rogan Scarlett Leary Ruby Rebanks Kamran Sajid x3 Olivia Macdonald Cordelia Rothwell Anna Salimpur x2 Logan McCredie x2 Jolie Shaw x2 Jenson Shackleton Katie Morris Lewis Smith x4 Slater Alfie Morrison Cameron Thompson Joshua Taft Rafael Phipps Poppy Town Emily Taylor x2 Harley Poppleton Fennella Turner Jack Trickett Aiden Probets x2 Olivia Waddington x3 Aimee Wade Coby Redman Kayden Watson Archie Wellock

Accelerated Reader

Year 7 Year 8 7.B Rosie Hill 8X1 Violet Howarth 7.A Kamran Sajid Highest Word Count 8X2 Fennella Turner 7.R Grace Hindley The following students have read the most 8X3 Jacob Miller 7.N Zak Fazackerley words between the 8X4 Megan Dodd 7.O Casey Baines 14 October 2019 – 13 December 2019 8X5 Harley Humphreys Well done and congratulations

Highest Word Count 14 October 2019 – 13 December 2019 All the names of students who gained 100% on an Well done to the top reader in Year 7, Kamran Accelerated Reader quiz this half term were entered Sajid and Violet Haworth, Year 8, for reading the into a prize draw. most words this half term. Congratulations to Year 7 and 8 students, Grace Hindley and Faith Henstock respectively, who each won a £5 Love2shop voucher.

Kamran Sajid Violet Haworth Well done to Kamran Well done to Violet who has read a total of who has read a total 300,254 words this half of 439,217 words this term. half term.

Students WOW at the Winter Warmer

Our annual Winter Warmer took place on Tuesday, 17 December. We were treated to a fantastic array of musical performances which ranged from solos, guitar performances to an extract from ‘Annie’ from all year groups The Wonderful Pendle Orchestra joined us for the evening, including teachers Miss and Mrs Thompson (no relation) playing the flute. They had us captivated by many pieces including ‘Happy’ by Pharrel Williams and an amazing Christmas Medley. Our school choir started the show by reminding us ”Don’t stop believing” and the new Year 7 student choir made us feel warm and festive with their first time on stage performance, with a personalised West Craven Celebration song in the tune of ‘Dynamite’ by Taio Cruiz. On Arrival and during the interval everyone enjoyed a drink and a mince pie and browsed the stalls of businesses from the local community who had displayed their crafts. Overall the musical evening showed passion and real dedication for all involved and the positive atmosphere has left us with a very Christmassy feeling to end this Winter Term. Principal, Mrs Foy said, “What a winter warmer it was! The performance truly lifted the spirits of everyone in the room. Our young people displayed confidence, talent and creativity beyond their years, we are all so proud of them”.