Issue 15 – December 2013

Dear Parents & Carers,

Thank you for your continued support through this busy term. In partnership with all our parents and governors, we are continuing to build an “outstanding school” that the community can be proud of. The visitation of Ofsted has accelerated the pace of change and we look forward to the upcoming visit from a HMI inspector.

I hope all our children can share in the joyous celebrations of this special season. Our Liturgies and Advent concert provide opportunities to prepare for the coming of the Lord. Enclosed in this Newsletter are the times of the local Masses over Christmas.

Finally, a message to our Year 11 parents and carers who are contemplating where to send their sons and daughters next year. We are fortunate to be the only school in the district to be a feeder school to two nationally recognised Sixth form Colleges, St Mary’s, Blackburn and Holy Cross College, Bury. I strongly recommend either of these two Colleges. Enjoy Christmas as we “Luceat lux Vestra”. Mr B McNally Headteacher

We are absolutely delighted to have taken delivery of a new school minibus. This is a significant purchase which will allow us to be more flexible and inclusive when taking groups of students out on educational visits or to sporting events.

The minibus is smart and comfortable and proudly displays the school’s logo and motto. Our special thanks go to Miss Laverty (Curriculum Leader for PE) who led the initiative and who has worked tirelessly for the last few years in pursuit of her goal. It is her temerity and determination which has led to the completion of this project. Thanks also go to the governors, Friends of All Saints’ and the finance team who have once again shown what can be achieved through hard work and cooperation. Mrs L Davis Administrator

For further information visit our website: www.allsaintshigh.lancs.sch.uk

We are delighted and extremely proud to inform you about our new innovative, engaging and inspiring programme of study at Key Stage 4 for Mathematics. Students in Years 10 and 11 are given the opportunity to study for an extra qualification: the AQA Certificate in Maths Level 2. This qualification is specifically designed for those students who will achieve grades A or A* in GCSE Mathematics, and it provides excellent preparation for the study of Mathematics at A-Level.

The course covers the areas of algebra and geometry; it introduces students to calculus and matrices, and further embeds and develops their skills in trigonometry, functions and graphs.

As part of their studies, some pupils recently visited Holy Cross Sixth Form College in Bury, where they attended lectures on matrices, and were given the opportunity to experience sixth form lessons and question the staff about both the course and the opportunities it can lead to in the future.

Mr Doherty, Head of Mathematics at Holy Cross said: ‘The students were absolutely wonderful and it was a real pleasure teaching them. They were a real credit to themselves and to the school.’ He also went on to state: ‘I think we have made an excellent start to building a strong and hopefully, a long and lasting link between All Saints’ and Holy Cross.’

Mrs Egan, Curriculum Leader of Mathematics at All Saints’ said ‘This is an absolutely fantastic opportunity for both the development of the students from a mathematics point of view, but also to establish firm links with one of the top colleges in the country. The students thoroughly enjoyed the lessons and returned to the classroom enthused and motivated to achieve the highest grades in the subject.’ Mrs K Egan CL – Maths

The following table lists the winners of the 200 Club since the start of the academic year 2013-14. To learn more about the FOAS or to download an application form for the 200 Club visit the school website: http://www.allsaintshigh.lancs.sch.uk/index.php?category_id=44

1st Prize (£50) 2nd Prize (£25) 3rd Prize (£10) Month Number Name Number Name Number Name

Sep-13 50 John Costello 33 Elaine Makin 60 Chris Rowan

Oct-13 91 Claire Carsley 30 Helen Yeomans 49 Chondra Pilling

Nov-13 15 Julie Doherty 4 Tim Beesley 70 Abigail McKennell

Dec-13 63 Joanne Jeffers 14 Philomena Fry 26 Stephen Davis

ur heartfelt thanks go out to all the pupils who were involved in the Deanery Mass which took place on 21st November and also those who took part in the Youth Sunday Mass at St James the Less on the 24th November. You were a credit to your parents and also to the school.

Christmas Crib Competition

Congratulations to the winners of the inter-form Christmas Crib Competition 2013. The standard of entries was high but the overall winners were Mrs Groom’s form 10 Taizé with their gingerbread stable.

Religion and War

Recently, Holy Cross Sixth Form College challenged Year 11 pupils to compose an essay discussing the subject of “Religion and War”. The competition was popular with numerous entries from schools in the area. There was stiff competition and adjudicators at the college said that entries were of a very high standard. We are therefore particularly proud of one of our own students, Matthew Braithwaite, who came runner-up. Congratulations Matthew – a great result! Mrs C Atherton CL – Religious Education Advent Service

The Rossendale Catholic Community joined together this week to share the Christmas Story through songs, poems and readings at our annual Advent Service. The candlelit procession set the tone for an evening of harmony, celebration and reflection. Over 100 pupils from 5 partner primaries joined us at All Saints’ and the 100 strong choir had everyone attending feeling festive. After the service, Mr Heald entertained the younger pupils with balloon modelling whilst their parents chatted with friends over mulled wine and mince pies which were served by the Friends of All Saints’.

Thank you to all those who gave up their free time to help prepare for, support and participate in the service. The pupils were a credit to their schools – Rossendale really does have talent.

Seasonal Reflections

This week all pupils had a time to reflect on this significant season as they participated in a guided meditation in the chapel. With Advent being the start of the liturgical year we thought about our lives, especially the commerical aspects, and refocused our minds on the true meaning of Christmas. Miss H Beckford Chaplain Reminder There are still a handful of places for the Year 8 Myddleton Grange retreat which takes place in May 2014. Deposits of £50 and letters should be returned to Mr Parkes before Christmas to ensure that your child does not miss out on this wonderful experience.

Information with regards to the Year 10 Castlerigg retreat will be coming soon …… For younger children, the Geography department recommends: Google Map’s Santa Tracker. www.google.com/santatracker/

The last half term has been a very busy time for the PE department.

Football Earlier in the term the girls entered the Blackburn Rovers 6-a-side tournament and came 3rd in the group, winning 2 games, drawing 1 and losing 2. Well done to the team – Kerry Reeves (Capt) Mia Starkie, Megan Fletcher, Nicole Pusey, Zara Banks, Elle Radcliffe and Thalia Jo Hartley.

Success was soon to follow for the under 14 Girls who took part in Rossendale schools 7-a-side tournament and with the last kick of the game Sammi Woodrup scored the final goal to put All Saints’ in the lead on goal difference and leaving us overall winners. The following week it was the turn of the year 7 footballers to show what they were made of as they took part in the Year 7 5-a-side tournament held at All Saints’, the girls put in an excellent performance winning 4 games and drawing 1 making them overall winners again. Congratulations to: Thalia Jo Hartley, Elle Radcliffe, Caitlin Hanson, Bridie Melvin, Courtney Lewis, Lucy Everitt and Zara Banks.

On Friday 25th November the Year 8 & 9 girls took part in the 5-a- side tournament at Alder Grange and finished a respectful 3rd place.

Badminton Megan Fletcher, Kerry Reeves, Mia Starkie, Lucy Belcher and Leonie Kay participated in the Under 14’s Girls Rossendale Schools Badminton Competition that was held at All Saint’s on Thursday 7th November. The girls had varied success during the tournament and came in 3rd place overall.

The following pupils represented the school in the under 16’s Girls Rossendale Schools Badminton Competition on the 14th November, also coming in 3rd place – Kerry Reeves, Lucy Belcher, Rhiannon Hanson and Erin Mather. Well done to all the girls involved in these tournaments. Miss H Laverty CL - PE

The under 14s and 15s football teams both tasted success in the English Schools' Small Schools Competition. Firstly the Under 14s team reached the 3rd round after winning difficult away matches at QEGS and School. The game at QEGS was extremely close, finishing 3-3 after extra time, with All Saints' winning on penalties thanks to the deciding spot kick from goalkeeper Joseph Partington. The team then travelled to Bowland who knocked All Saints' out of this competition last year. However outstanding defensive performances from Josh Weldon, Tom Chaloner and Logan Clayton, coupled with excellent attacking displays from Jamie Luker, Harrison Astin and Casey McLellan ensured that All Saints' won 4-2. The team were once again looking good to progress when leading Outwood Academy from Ripon 1-0 at half time, until the Yorkshire school mounted a great second half comeback to eventually run out 5-1 winners.

Read the article written by IIBB & TCS Claims in Burnley about our recent Careers Fair, organised by our Careers Advisor Mrs Whittaker, http://www.localinstitutes.cii.co.uk/blackburn/AboutUs/News/tabid/3572/Default.aspx

The Under 15s managed to go one step better - reaching the 4th round and being amongst the last 16 schools in the country. In the first round they defeated The Hawthornes Free School from Bootle 5-1 at home before defeating Rawthorpe High School from Huddersfield 5-2 at home in the 2nd Round. The third round presented a tougher test away at the Grange Grammar School, Northwich. The game finished 1-1 after extra time thanks to a Dan O'Connor header. In a nervy shootout it was again left to goalkeeper Joseph Partington to score the winner in sudden death. This set up a very tough fourth round tie away at Stanley High School in Southport and despite a spirited display and an excellent goal from Ross Ashworth, the team lost 5-1.

The Year 7 team have played in a range of fixtures and competitions, performing well in a friendly defeat to High before losing out to BRGS in the last minute in another friendly. They have competed well in a Cup 7-a-side event at BRGS as well as an English schools' 5-a-side competition at and a another 7-a-side tournament at Fearns. The team are gelling well and improving with each fixture.

The Year 8 team also lost out narrowly in friendlies against BRGS and Haslingden High but performed brilliantly to finish runners-up in a 7-a-side competition at Fearns. Sam Green was unbeatable in the goals and Jacob Weldon and Kieran Curwen helped the team to score plenty of goals. Unfortunately the Year 8s fell at the first hurdle in the Lancashire Cup - losing to a very strong St. Bede's team from Lytham.

The Year 9 team ran BRGS very close in a friendly thanks to goals from Izaak Calter and Callum Peers-Holland before eventually losing 4-2. They also progressed to the Lancashire Cup second round thanks to a first round bye, where we travelled to High School, eventually losing 2-0 despite a spirited display.

The Year 10 team have been busy in English Schools' Cup action but they were extremely unlucky in a 6-4 reverse at Morecambe High School in the Lancashire Cup, the team bounced back though to beat Fearns 5-4 in a friendly. Jordan Wilmore, Matthew Melvin and Dan O'Connor have been the teams star performers so far this year.

The Year 11 footballers travelled to St. Augustine's in the Lancashire Cup and almost caused an upset, however late missed chances saw the team knocked out in the first round.

In other sports; the under 14s and under 16s boys badminton teams have both represented the school in the Rossendale Schools competitions hosted at All Saints'. The Under 13s tabletennis team had a whitewash victory over Haslingden before losing to eventual winners BRGS in the Rossendale Schools competition, again hosted at All Saints'. Kieran Curwen, Jacob Weldon, Jack Chaloner and Tom Chaloner performed superbly to finish 2nd overall.

The Year 8 rugby team enjoyed an afternoon competing in the Rossendale schools rugby tournament; losing narrowly to Haslingden and Alder Grange before a comfortable win against Fearns, stand out performers included Sam Green, Adam Stenton and Derek Bulling.

The Under 16 Basketball team kicked off this year's Lancashire Cup group stage with a 45-23 defeat at BRGS but can still make it to the knockout stages with positive results against Darwen Vale and Clitheroe Grammar school.

The under 14 Basketball team begin their Lancashire Cup campaign in the new year. Mr M Parkes PE Department/HOY 8 The Twelve Days of Christmas Our ever popular, annual Twelve Days of Christmas draw is currently in full swing. Each day the names of pupils, who have been in school for the whole of the previous day, are entered into a draw and pupils have a chance of winning a sweet bouquet. A similar scheme is also running for the staff. Mrs Keen Assistant Headteacher

After the Christmas holidays the library will be opening until 4o’clock in order to provide literacy based activities. Although still in the planning stage, activities may include –

 Reading Club with a Twist – students will read books as a group and discuss, but will also get the opportunity to create (finger puppets, dolls etc)/draw/paint characters or significant bits and pieces from the books.  Create Your Own Book group – students will create a book which could include short stories, jokes, anecdotes, quizzes etc or a mixture of them all.  Storytelling – Parents/carers, older students and teachers will be invited into school to read aloud to younger students or students may listen to one of the many interesting audio books we have in the library.  Drama group – Mr Heald, the performing arts teacher and Ms Young, will work with students to write and perform plays.

All activities will be teacher led but will very much depend on what the students decide they want to do.

Mrs C Young HLTA & Librarian

Over the last seven years there have been frequent football tournaments between Year 11 pupils and staff members. Mr Barrett and Mr Koziaryn have been regular members of the staff team and, in honour of them leaving the school to progress up the career path, it was decided an appropriate way to celebrate was to have a testimonial tournament.

The tournament took place on 6th December when 4 teams (2 Year 11 teams versus 2 staff teams) did battle in order to raise money for charity. Mr Barrett and Mr Koziaryn were captains of the staff teams and the tournament raised £130 which was split between the British Heart Foundation (in memory of Mr Barrett’s father) and The Grundy Day Care centre in Bury. Mr Barrett’s team were the victors but charity and sportsmanship were the real winners. Mr Mayes Assistant Headteacher

Looking forward to January 2014 Monday 6 January – January Exam Series begins Monday 13 January – FOAS Meeting 6pm Wednesday 15 January – Year 11 Parents’ Evening 5pm Tuesday 21 January – Year 10 Parents’ Evening 5pm Saturday 25 January – Ceildh Night Friday 31 January – January Exam Series Ends

Christmas in our feeder parishes. Places are now becoming scarce for the Year 7 Mathematics and English Enrichment weekend to Whitehough Outdoor Education Centre, which will take St James The Less th place on Friday 20 to Sunday 22nd June 2014. Christmas Eve 6.30pm – Vigil Activities will include problem-solving, creative writing, team-building events, 12.00pm – Midnight Mass orienteering, archery, indoor climbing and caving and mountain biking. Pupils will need to have a spirit of adventure and be able to ride a bike! Christmas Day 8.30am – Mass If you would like your child to participate in the trip, please request a letter from 10.30am – Mass either Mrs Lord or myself as soon as possible.

Mrs K Egan St Veronica’s CL - Maths Christmas Eve 5.00pm – Vigil

Christmas Day Word Of the Week 11.00am – Mass

The Immaculate Conception

Christmas Eve 6.30pm – Vigil

Christmas Day 9.30am – Mass

Bacup St Mary’s

Christmas Eve 5.30pm – Vigil

St Joseph’s & St Peters

Christmas Eve 6.30pm – Singing of Carols followed at 7pm by First Mass

Christmas Day 9.30am – Mass

Our Lady & St Anselms

Christmas Eve 11.30pm – Vigil

Christmas Day 10.00am – Mass

The Staff and Pupils of All Saints’ Catholic High School wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year.