i d g e w a y

R 2018 - 2019 R e v i e w

...Inspiring Learners for Their Future

www.ridgewayschool.com

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A word from the

Principal Contents

Learning Resource Centre 4 Food Technology 10 In this magazine we celebrate a year at The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College. The Humanities 14 prospectus explains our vision to ‘Inspire Learners for Their Future’. This is developed through an Ridgeway Remembers 16 emphasis not only on academic performance, but also through leadership opportunity, trips and visits Creative & Performing Arts 17 to make learning real, challenges to widen personal experience and the opportunity for performance and Ridgeway Outdoors 22 competition. This builds the ‘whole person’ and gives them confidence to face challenges and Science 26 opportunities in the future. ASC SRP 27 “Developing confident, mature and engaging young people who believe in themselves…becoming even Immersion Days 28 more delightful, personable and capable young men and women.” Modern Foreign Languages 32

Sports Award Evening 35 Physical Education 36 Farewell to Year 11 42 James Povoas,

Principal Other News 44 Fundraising 46 Sixth Form 48

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Learning Resource Centre Resource Learning

11th Swindon Youth Festival of Literature

SWINDON YOUTH FESTIVAL OF LITERATURE LITFEST CELEBRATION The 11th Swindon Youth Festival of Literature took place in To give him his full title, The Worshipful, The Mayor, Councillor Junab Ali presented November, celebrating everything bookish! The week kicked off awards to the winners of LitFest 2018 at a ceremony attended by over 150 proud to a fantastic start with 290 students from our partner primary parents, pupils, business supporters, librarians, head teachers and local MP Robert schools making some noise for author Mark Lowery! A full on Buckland QC. Our victorious Book Quiz team received an impressive engraved audience participation presentation set the tone for Tuesday shield, year 10 student Ayla was awarded a third place in the Poetry Competition and a mwahaha kind of morning with Dark Lord author Jamie and student librarian Jodie received a Library Ambassador Award. Bower & Bailey Thomson and our Year 8 students. We learnt that whether it is Solicitors supported the event and generously provided gift vouchers as prizes to all writing computer games or books for young adults – character students. Mrs S Day development is key. Old friend Ash Dickinson dazzled with his performance poetry and Year 7 gave him a run for his money, proudly standing in front of their peers presenting shadorma poems with enthusiasm, creativity and imagination. Frustrated musician with thwarted Glastonbury dreams, Jonathan Meres author of The World of Norm books put in a performance of a lifetime at The Wyvern to a packed house of 550 Year 7 students, including 50 of our own. His top tips – to make a book appeal to a YA audience - include normal, realistic situations, with a humorous twist that teenagers can relate to. The end of the week culminated in a victory for our Book Quiz team as they were crowned champions ahead of 10 other Swindon secondary schools. Congratulations! Mrs S Day

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SCREENPLAY FILM CLUB

The first meeting of the Screenplay Film Club was held in In the coming weeks they will decide who they think are the LRC in October and the decision was made to work the most important characters to include, which scenes on turning Five on a Treasure Island by Enid Blyton into a are unmissable (and which really don’t add anything) and film. They had great fun talking about which book to film what the challenges would be to making the book come adaptations we’ve enjoyed and those that we’ve hated to life. Even if you missed the initial meeting, you are and the hardest part was picking the book to work on. more than welcome to join them. Mrs S Tonkin

Year 10 student, Chris Jackson was do this. All the money raised was going through and unfortunately what inspired to take action to support the appreciated and another special a huge problem this world is facing. homeless after analysing Dickens’ thanks to Simon Halls, Karina Halls, In the night I didn’t sleep that well messages in his GCSE text - A Emily Holland, Nathan Forshaw, because the wind kept picking up Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Rachel and Vicky. Dickens’ “A and it started to rain, but the worst Here is his report… Christmas Carol” shows us that the part about the night is that it was so In “A Christmas Carol' the Cratchits people in the novel are not generous cold. The morning came and there are poor and some poor people are towards the poor and that we should was a cooked breakfast for homeless, so for one night in the help them as much as we can, this everyone. was such a good opportunity to help Christmas season myself and a All the money that was raised went the less fortunate. group went for a big night out to see to an amazing cause and it was what it was like to be homeless and The night was a very cold night and used for amazing things to help the we raised a total of " £2500" to go all the support staff and security homeless. towards threshold charity to go to- helped us get settled down, they wards a shelter for the homeless. A were amazing. I took the novel, A By Christopher Jackson, Year 10 special thanks to all the peo- Christmas Carol to read on the night, Student ple ,teachers who sponsored me to to help me to realise what I was

WATERSTONES POP-UP IN THE WORD OF THE FORTNIGHT LRC Having a wide vocabulary is vital for The Friday feeling was very much in students to understand texts and evidence at the end of last week as information. It also enables them to over 600 students received their free express their ideas more World Book Day book. Students were effectively. Therefore, we have able to swap their token on site at the introduced a ‘word of the fortnight’ to help Waterstones pop-up shop in the LRC. students to build their vocabulary. Every Specially written titles from Jeff two weeks, there will be a different word Kinney’s Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, for students to focus on. The words Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson, and which will feature as the word of the Malorie Blackman’s Noughts and fortnight are frequently used academic Crosses proved to be firm favourites! words, such as analyse, constitute and A massive thank you to Vicki and Debs theory. Consequently, the word of the from our local Waterstones branch fortnight should benefit students across who once again supported us. the different subjects that they Mrs S Day study. Students can earn house points for using the word of the fortnight correctly. Miss I Morley

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Learning Resource Centre Resource Learning

READING IN THE COMMUNITY LETTER TO SUPER FAN GRAPHIC NOVEL Year 10 Child Care and Development students When Bonnie Ross, the brains behind 343 Industries and the Halo CLUB have being doing a fabulous job reading Franchise replies to your letter you sit up and listen. For everything manga, regularly to the toddlers at Tick Tock Nursery. That is exactly what happened to Year 9 super fan Ben! anime and more drop into Giving up their lunchtime to do so, Charlotte Hi Ben, the LRC during lunchtime the nursery manager has been so impressed This is Bonnie Ross from 343 Industries. I just received your amazing on a Monday. with their attitude and commitment that she letter packet. My team and I were so inspired by your story and your The Excelsior Award is the has offered volunteering positions to our passion. We were in awe that you have read so many of our books. I only nationwide book students over the summer holidays. have multiple teams at our 343 studio that manage all things Halo award for graphic novels

Mrs S Day universe. I have teams that work on our games, teams that work on our and manga and we are part toy business, teams that work on e-sports, teams that work on our books, of it. Come along to give teams that work on our live action/animation, etc. When I got your letter, I your view on the stories, passed it along to the teams that work our books and they were so artwork, characters and inspired by you—you made their day. dialogue. Previously My favourite books are Fall of Reach (Master Chief’s origin story holds a known as the Stan Lee special place in my heart), Contact Harvest (I love the insurrectionist Excelsior Award, the books story), and Silent Storm. What are your favourites and why? to be reviewed are chosen You made a comment in your letter that your ambitions are to do well in for their quality, popularity school. It sounds like you are on your way, so keep it up. You also noted and variety of genre and that you wanted to get into the games industry or work for 343. From your artistic styles. letter, it sounds like you are creative which is great, don’t lose that Mrs S Day passion. I don’t know what the curriculum is in the UK, but if you have an opportunity to take some computer science classes at school or outside of school, I’d recommend that you do it (Scratch, Unity, Java). I look at gaming as technology empowering art, storytelling, and creativity. If you can get some experience with computer science classes combined with creative classes I think you will set yourself up well for future gaming job opportunities. Our team took your picture of books and worked to pick out ones you haven’t read to send to you. We really loved your story and passion, Ben. Keep up the great work. We just sent off one of two packages to you which I hope you will get before the end of the year. Keep your focus on your education and never lose your passion as they are both so important to your future. 6

GR8 BOOK DEBATE FINALE From the author of Ghost Boys, Jewell Parker Rhodes he figured out that he was meant to "bear witness" like After reading 5 books over several months, aided along – all the other ghost boys. When he (in effect) told Sarah the way by break time biscuits, our year 8 book club Dear Students, that she could condemn her father's actions but still students were joined by the team from LPA for the I am so honoured that GHOST BOYS is one of the five love him--I was bowled over by his compassion. (I'm Finale of The Gr8 Book Debate. The students were books being discussed. It's thrilling to have Jerome, not sure personally that I could have done the opinionated, and critiqued everything from the cover, Carlos, Sarah, and Emmett be out in the world sparking same!) But, you see, Jerome was modelled after YOU- the blurb, the plot, character development and and inspiring conversations. Racism and racial bias -students like YOU--and his words "Only the living can everything in between. The joint winning titles are both must end! I do believe that young people like you are make the world better. Live and make it better" is the fabulous, thought provoking, contemporary reads that going "to be the change agents" the world needs. wisdom that I've gained from today's youth. will stand the test of time. Thank you to BookTrust for My generation has made progress but not enough. I I will be in the UK next year but, oh, how I wish I was providing the books and for Joel Crowley, Programme was an infant when Emmett Till was murdered but with you RIGHT NOW. Please know that I will be with Coordinator for joining us for the debate. every year thereafter on the anniversary of his death, you in spirit ---heralding, cheering you all on as you magazines would arrive showing images of him alive discuss books. What a gift--- From the author of Boy 87 Ele Fountain – and dead. Now as a grandmother, I am still living in a Thanks to Nicola Brown and Sarah Day for reaching world the criminalizes the innocence of black out to me and organizing your debate. Dear students, youth. This is so disturbing. It has also been hard to Well done GR8 Debaters – you’re almost there! Stay passionate! Stay brilliant! me a mother to a black son and to watch him (even as Always believe: YOUR generation is POWERFUL. I’m so impressed by your enthusiasm and dedication. an adult) experience the effects of persistent racism in Reading five books is a challenge. Reading and America. My son advocates for social justice and with critiquing five books takes that challenge to a whole my writing, so do I. Dr Jewell Parker Rhodes new level. It requires a deep understanding of every Founding Artistic Director, Virginia G. Piper element of the book, to develop opinions, and courage It was extremely painful writing GHOST BOYS and for about a year afterwards, I was deeply depressed. But Centre for Creative Writing to share and defend those opinions. It requires an open Endowed Chair, Virginia G. Piper Centre for mind to change those opinions in the face of compelling as schools and students started reaching out to me to say they've had significant conversations about Creative Writing argument. prejudice, my spirit has lifted. I write so youth can have Professor of Narrative Studies Enthusiasm, dedication, courage and an open mind are "safe spaces" to discuss real life. You are all so smart, College of Integrative Sciences and Arts, great assets, and watching how you’ve engaged with brave, and empathetic. Being independent, critical and Liberal Arts and Sciences books and reading will inspire others to do the same. thinkers, you, like Sarah, can reject biased adult Arizona State University. Congratulations! Whichever book wins the most votes, beliefs. you are the true winners. I hope you all feel very proud! I was shocked when Jerome didn't leave the story once Kind regards, Ele 7

Learning Resource Centre Resource Learning THE RIDGEWAY SCHOOL FOR ORDINARY WIZARDING LEVELS (OWLS)

In February, students were transported to the These included: wizarding world as part of Ridgeway Learning  The big wizarding quiz, word searching and Resource Centre’s Harry Potter evening. puzzles in Diagon Alley. Celebrated by Potter fans around the world on 07/02/19, Harry Potter Book Night invites devoted  Trying and making butterbeer in Hogsmeade. fans to relive the magic of J.K Rowling’s stories and  Writing and sending letters by Owl Post in the introduce new readers to the series for the first time. west tower’s Owlery. Now in its fifth year, Harry Potter Night is recognised through hundreds of events in bookshops, libraries,  Sewing and decorating socks for Dobby in Malfoy schools, and people’s homes. Manor. For a few hours, pupils swapped their GCSEs and A-  A high-stakes Quidditch tournament with hoops levels from The Ridgeway School for Ordinary fashioned from upcycled squash rackets, with the Wizarding Levels (OWLs) from The Hogwarts School golden snitch on hand to settle any draws! of Witchcraft and Wizardry. In an enchanting feat of transfiguration, the R6 common room was Staff and students alike donned their finest wizarding transformed into some of the series’ most wardrobe as they took part in the evening’s memorable locations. festivities. As students entered the common room, they The Learning Resource Centre is a fantastic facility received their OWL report cards and were tasked that we utilise to excite students about reading and with completing six bewitching activities in order to bring their learning to life. We’d like to thank obtain their OWLs. everyone involved in bringing the magic of Harry Potter to the LRC. 8 “A thumpin’ good’un, I’d say!” — Rubeus Hagrid

SUMMER PIC ‘N’ MIX ENGLISH STUDENTS VISIT TO UWE

It is the summer pic ‘n’ mix pack selection for our term 6 Accelerated BRISTOL Reader competition winners. Student: A level English students were excited to meet Miss, is it really one item from each Dr. Mariadele Boccardi, Senior Lecturer and pile to put in the bag? Librarian: Yes, Programme Leader for English Literature and it is really is! Congratulation to the 20 English Literature with Writing at UWE Bristol this winners. week and were treated to a talk about critical approaches to Othello and insights into studying Mrs S Day English at university. This really inspired our students and some have already integrated the approaches we discussed into their coursework essays. We hope this will be start of a special relationship with UWE and that students will have many more opportunities to work with staff and attend future events at UWE, Bristol. Mrs H Siebenaller

HOW CAN I SUPPORT MY CHILD WITH THEIR LRC LATE BREAKFAST GCSE ENGLISH? WORKSHOP Last month in the LRC we had a slightly late breakfast at break-time On Thursday 20th June the English Faculty staged with the winners of our “Read Around Europe” competition. These a workshop for parents and carers. The purpose of are students who were picked out each week from the prize draw, this session was to provide “take away” strategies to which they could enter if they read and passed a quiz on a book within support students in preparing for the demands of their reading level. Bonus entries were given if the book had a theme the English GCSE exam. of travel or alternative cultures. We munched our way through It was a vibrant and interactive evening and a croissants, French bread and doughnuts. No proper coffee pleasure to work so closely with parents/carers. unfortunately – orange juice and hot chocolate were deemed suitable Mrs H Siebenaller alternatives. Mrs S K Tonkin

YEAR 6S BECOME LITERACY DETECTIVES of reading over the summer holiday. In June we welcomed our Year 6 students to Ridgeway We look forward to seeing their work in the as they visited for their two induction days. Every September and hope they enjoy performing their student received a literacy pack from the English tasks as a literacy detective. department, to help them undertake their role as a Mrs H Siebenaller literacy detective. The activities are designed to foster a genuine enjoyment of reading, and to extend levels

WELLBEING BOOKS THANK YOU FOR THE BOOK DONATION.. We have plenty of books in the Wellbeing section of Thank you very much to the family who donated a bag of the LRC; these are just a few. If any student needs books to the LRC. Super sleuths that we are, we were not to take a minute before school, break or lunch, there able to identify the donor to say thank you personally. are plenty of seats in the sun for a moment of quiet There’s not even a pencilled in name in the front of any of reflection and to gather their thoughts. them! These books are in excellent condition, are really popular texts and will be very well used. We are always happy to receive donations of books in good as new condition, especially biographies, autobiographies, and current young adult fiction books. So feel free to have a spring clear out safe in the knowledge that your donation will be gratefully received. Mrs S Day 9

YEAR 6 VISIT CHRISTMAS COME DINE WITH THE FAIRTRADE FORTNIGHT AND BEYOND In October students and staff had a RIDGEWAY The Co-op has supported the development of Fairtrade brilliant afternoon with thirty Year 6 since its inception with the distinctive Mark launched in Food Technology On Wednesday we held our annual Come Dine students from Wroughton Junior School With Ridgeway Christmas lunch. As you can 1994. Once again this retailer in the village, has when they visited The Ridgeway. see from the picture I think everyone enjoyed kindly helped us in our teaching of Fairtrade, by donating Using fruit in season they produced a themselves. Wayne and the girls in the kitchen products over this designated Fairtrade Fortnight. range of dishes including sausage and cooked a gorgeous meal, and the following Co-op’s commitment to Fairtrade sugar, for example, has apple rolls, apple cake and students were chosen to serve the elderly bought back around £1million to sugar cane farmers in scones. Working with visiting teachers friends. Our catering students Freya, Alfie, Belize and means that they can support more small farmers form Bristol and Bath all the pupils learnt Chelsea, Holly, Cameron, Freddie and Grace to increase farm productivity and improve their standard of new skills as they cooked then tasted a did a wonderful job of serving our special living. In addition thousands of smallholder coffee producers range of different apples in guests. in Colombia and Guatemala have been helped and so far 25 season. Once the products were in the The local Co-operative in Wroughton donated families have built new roofs, bathroom and kitchen facilities oven pupils were able to enjoy mini bottles of shloer and Christmas crackers and in their homes due to the scheme with banana growers. lessons in Maths, Science Geography Waitrose in Wichelstowe also donated mince Shortly three groups of pupils from Wroughton Junior and Art as well as learning vocabulary in pies and bottles of shloer. Mrs Jankinson and School will be visiting us to carry out some practical food Spanish and French. her choir came down and entertained the our work and also taking part in a design competition with the We hope that the afternoon was guests with a sample of Christmas songs from winning design receiving a rather splendid Fairtrade prize beneficial not just in terms of the skills the Christmas showcase event. A good time donated by Co-op. A lovely Easter treat for the lucky learnt but it giving then further was had by all. Mrs A Sheppard winner! Mrs R Cairns opportunities to visit the secondary school which they are likely to attend FUN WITH FOOD next year. Thank you to everyone who Its always a pleasure to welcome pupils to The participated. Ridgeway School who visit us from our feeder schools. Not only does this allow an opportunity for them to become a little familiar YEAR 7 COFFEE MORNING with the secondary school they might In November Year 7 held a highly eventually attend but also gives staff from both successful coffee morning when they sectors a chance to work collaboratively. prepared and cooked a variety of sweet and savoury dishes to serve to parents, The practical element of this superb healthy carers and grandparents. Attention to eating project devised by Wroughton Junior detail with meticulous care in weighing School, is being carried out over three measuring and making, resulted in a separate sessions with all the Year 3 classes. standard of finish which was similar to a Students experimented with a range of bread professional coffee outlet. There is no products and possible fillings for their healthy doubt that the students have excellent sandwiches, comparing their chooses with the skills not only in making but in serving advice from the Eat Well guide, before coming and entertaining. to us in order to practically create the perfect 'sandwich'. Using a range of French bread, When the event was first planned we pitta, wholemeal and white bread the students didn’t appreciate that it was Children in made some rather tempting results which Need day although a small stall selling quickly disappeared! bric a brac enabled enterprising students to make a contribution to the fund. A Several of our Year 10 Child Development very big thank you to staff and guests students have used their entire lunch break from outside school who attended this each session, showing a great deal of event which gave the students initiative and care when they have volunteered confidence in their abilities. We hope to to work with these junior school repeat this again with another cohort in classes. Many thanks to those students who Year 7. could make great junior school teachers!

Mrs R Cairns Mrs R Cairns

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YEAR 8 PRE-VALENTINE BRUNCH cheese twirls which someone remarked ,’could have ROMAN DIETS FOR THE It was a pleasure to have parents, carers and been made in shop‘! JUNIOR SCHOOL grandparents at the ‘Valentines Brunch’ on Wednesday The homemade desserts including cream and fruit swiss All three classes from Year 4, have 13th February. A cohort of Year 8 students rolls, chilled cheesecakes and Valentine biscuits were enjoyed a recent visit to The Ridgeway expertly planned cooked and served a range of delicious also very popular and disappeared very swiftly! Centre School where they have had the recipes during the morning, before greeting guests in table was a large heart shaped cake which was opportunity to work in a specialist order for them to sample the goods and see the hard decorated with great finesse, keeping with the February food room. work that had gone into the events. Among other skills theme. Before they left all the ladies were presented with which we endeavoured to reinforce with students besides a spring bouquet of daffodils, herbs and tied with a This year group is studying the Roman the practical food work, is working for the good of the flowing ribbon-that was just in case they didn’t get period so what more fitting practical work group as a whole, having a say and sharing responsibly anything on Valentines day. than to make pizzas! by taking other student’s ideas on board and not just their We are always delighted to welcome guests during the Using bread dough that was prepared own. We wanted to value everyone’s unique skills and day to school events although we do know for some it’s earlier to shape the base, the strengths and encouraged the Year 8 participants to help not easy to attend due to work, transport difficulties and students used a multitude of toppings to and complement each other to be a great team member. other commitments, so thank you so much for attending create their own perfect pizza. Guests were greeted by students who displayed as it really does make a huge difference to students Interwoven during the sessions was the excellent ‘front of house’ skills. As people arrived they when they can show case their skills. We have a science of bread making, nutrition, maths were offered eats and drinks with a smile and a word of talented group of students who should be very proud of and a lot of literacy. Many willing helpers greeting. There was much praise for all the dishes. Of their achievements. Mrs R Cairns from our Year 10 Child Development special interest were the savoury mushroom squares and class assisted during the three sessions where they interacted with different groups TRAINING FOR FOOD TEACHERS examining food labels and exploring healthy eating and really made an impact. On July 4th The Ridgeway School hosted Food-A fact for ideas. It is always good to welcome our near life (FFL) twilight training session. The course was In addition teachers were able to exchange good practice neighbours from Wroughton Junior School designed to support the training needs of teachers and tips with others as well as examining the excellent FFL who are particularly talented cooks, if the assistants who deliver food in secondary schools. The website. finished results of the pizzas were British Nutrition Foundation has been supporting teachers We were very pleased that Roy Ballam for the BNF anything to go by. Mrs R Cairns over many years by providing resources, giving on line travelled from London for the meeting. All that attended, and face to face training, and this occasion proved very said the session had been extremely useful in productive. giving initiative ideas for teaching in 2019/20. Teachers were able to work around a variety of well Mrs R Cairns planned practical activities, including making cheese, 1111

Food Technology

MATT ADLARD PASTRY WORKSHOP On Monday 20th May, Year 9 and 10 took part in an exciting workshop with Matt Adlard, a social media influencer who has cracked America in the baking world. Students learnt lots of new skills, received some great tips for their GCSE practical’s and made delicious Mille Feuilles with Diplomat cream and praline. Matt also demonstrated how to decorate a ‘Swiss meringue buttercream’ drip cake. A huge well done to all students involved. Mrs K Stamp

WILTSHIRE CHEF OF THE YEAR Congratulations to Katherine Powell in Year 10, who won the Wiltshire Chef of the Year competition. She was given incredible praise by two Michelin starred chefs, who couldn’t believe the skills she has for her age. They have highly encouraged her to take up a career within the catering industry. She will now have the chance to be mentored by one of these chefs’ on a regular basis in preparation for the South West final on 5th October in Exeter. This is an amazing achievement for Katherine. She has worked unbelievably hard preparing for this (mum said that she has been making her dish every night for two YEAR 7 COFFEE MORNING made. This enabled the students to practice weeks). Parents, staff and guests who attended the their communication skills and enjoy finding out Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn coffee morning for which a group of Year 7 peoples like and dislikes-some loved the students worked in the food room, were Marmite whirls while other did not! This very astonished at the very high standard of the food successful event was due to the industry and and presentation skills shown. team work of our students who all worked In small teams the students had planned a together in order to achieve such a pleasing range of foods to cook and serve to the invited result. guests. Mrs R Cairns Keeping within a budget they managed to produce a brilliant range of dishes including sausage rolls, cheese and sultana scones as well as a number of sweet dishes. Students, meeting and greeting the guests offered them drinks, before showing off the food they had

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FAME VIP CANAPÉ EVENT YEAR 8 EAT LIKE AN Year 9 and Year 10 students ATHLETE COMPETITION prepared, cooked and served Nineteen Year 8 students canapés to our VIP guests before participated in the Eat Like an the production of Fame on Athlete cooking competition on th Thursday 11 July. These the 12th July. We had judges, students had previously planned Mrs Stamp, Miss Blackler, Miss their canapés in Food and Catering Collins and ex-student, Megan lessons and were voted to cook Leigh, who were amazed by the their chosen dishes at the event. talent of young cooks and On the evening, these talented standard of dishes produced. students worked hard to prepare Huge congratulation to the five each canapé with support from winners: their chosen sous chef and served First place overall winner: these to our guests whilst Michael Ukpoju with Chicken experiencing what life is like in a Alfredo professional kitchen. Second place snack: Oliver A huge well done to the following Szymor with Lemon Tarts students for your hard work, creativity and ability to stay calm Second place meal: Jack Tatem under pressure: with Steak and Mushroom Sauce Head chefs- Grace Stuart-Brown, Freddie Winters, Maisy Williams, Third place snack: Daisy Allen Guy Vickery, Jacob Canfer-Smith, with Savoury Muffins Daniel Ready and Luke Pancott Third place meal: Lewis Gurr Sous chefs- Chelsea Gordon, with Chorizo Chilli Owen Wilson, Nicole Tarrant, Abie Well done to all students Blackmore, Ethan Emmett, Skye involved! Lamb and Charlotte Price. Mrs Stamp Mrs Stamp 13

Humanities

YEAR 12 GEOGRAPHY AND TOURISM TRIP TO DORSET THE LIVING RAINFOREST TRIP On 19th March, Year 12 students braved the The Tourism students worked equally as well, On Tuesday 20th November, the Geography chilly breeze and drizzle on their trip to investigating the provision for tourists at department took one hundred Year 8 students to Hengistbury Head and Bournemouth. Hengistbury Head and the New Forest area in the Living Rainforest near Newbury. For the geography students, the fieldtrip is a comparison to Bournemouth seafront. Students The day, for half the group, started with a guided compulsory element of their A level, allowing showed great initiative and confidence, asking tour on the amazing adaptations that both plants them to carry out data collection techniques in a questions about the tourist accommodation and and animals have in the tropical rainforest. The physical and human setting to help them transport facilities to members of the public, as students saw ‘Black Magic’ and its amazing prepare for their own independent well as interviewing staff at the Premier Inn capability at allowing water to simply run off ifs investigations. It was a real joy to see their hotel. leaf, they learnt about the camouflage amazing team work and genuine appreciation Thank you to Miss Mowat, who accompanied techniques of the boa constrictors and witnessed for the natural environment when collecting us on the trip, but especially to our superb first-hand the strength of a sloth’s claw. The data to investigate the effectiveness of the students, who were unfailingly polite, punctual students were then able to explore the rainforest, coastal management in place at Hengistbury and generally a joy to be with. Thanks for your the butterfly house and to purchase a plethora of Head. They then went on to assess the retail effort and making us so proud. sloth related pens, pencils, cushions and cuddly facilities and quality of the environment in Miss A Curtis-Slater toys from the gift shop. Bournemouth and Boscombe, considering the Overall, the students worked wonderfully extent to which the area has been affected by throughout the day and expanded their globalisation and become a ‘clone town’ like knowledge significantly on the adaptations in the many shopping centres in the UK. tropical rainforest, which will help them greatly when revising for their upcoming assessments. Thank you to all the staff that helped and supported throughout the day. Miss J Mowatt

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GCSE BUSINESS PARENTS EVENING Whilst Year 11 were preparing for their GCSE exams, and to help parents understand the demands of the Business exam papers, parents and students were invited for an evening session in which two R6 students, Ollie Jackman and Jay Patel, explained what they had both done to get grade AS last year, before the parents and students considered the format of the exams and tried to answer questions with teachers providing advice on what the exam board is looking for. The session was interactive, with Tom Hayes answering a 3-mark question in real-time, with his answers shown live on the screen by means of a visualiser, and Bradley Coe explaining what is required GCSE GEOGRAPHY TRIP BLACK COUNTRY MUSEUM TRIP to answer a 9-mark question and do well. There were On Thursday 23rd May, a lovely sunny day, 125 On Tuesday the 16th, History took 117 Year 8 lots of questions from the floor and the session was Year 10 students made their way to Bournemouth students to the Black Country Museum in Dudley. well received by parents. to complete their Geography fieldwork. Students The students have been looking at the Industrial Mrs R Lamb assessed the effectiveness of the coastal Revolution, and this gave students a chance to get management improvements that are costing a sense of what life was like in this era. Students upwards of £50 million. were given a tour around the living museum, which GLOUCESTER UNI VISIT included a trip to the General Store and a chance Some students in Year 11 had a brilliant day had at The student’s teamwork was impeccable, they Gloucester University. They had the chance to try out were extremely accurate when measuring groyne to see a chain making demonstration. Students experienced a trip into the coal mine and some had the “Mock Court room” judges chair, were taken on the drop-heights and spent time considering the campus tour covering all the lecture halls, sports importance of the coastal management to a hearty lunch of drippin’ fish and chips!! Miss J Guilliford facilities, hall of residence and Student Union Common Bournemouth’s economy. Room which was brilliant. Year 11 found this day We then spent time evaluating the transport really helpful and useful and found out what it was like management in the town centre. to be a Uni student from the Uni Ambassadors. They Students completed traffic counts and asked their had a team challenge to build a paper tower, it had to surveys to members of the general public stand on its own to be measured. They were allowed confidently. It was an amazing day, students to use paper, scissors, cellotape, however these all represented the school extremely well and came in at a cost and profit was made based on how collected a lot of useful data which will help them tall the tower was and how quick we could build immensely with their GCSE exams. Thank you to it. Ridgeway students came second we had the tallest all the staff and students involved. tower but had a loss of -£16. The winning team simply Miss A Curtis-Slater folded an A4 piece of paper in half and stood it up – it didn’t have the height but gained maximum profit as it took minimal time to construct. They rounded the day up with a team game of “Mint or Skint” where students had to decide on how to spend their payday wages to gain life points – the person in the team with the most life points won. A fantastic experience and a chance to consider future goals and aspirations. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

15 RIDGEWAY REMEMBERS Throughout the week commencing the 5th of November

students and staff of The Ridgeway school, took part in a Ridgeway Remembers Ridgeway series of remembrance activities to mark the centenary year of the end of the First World War. The week allowed the students to understand the importance of this event and the devastating effect the war had on Wroughton and the wider Borough of Swindon. The History department led the historical element of these remembrance activities, although it was the whole school who fully immersed themselves in the overall atmosphere that was built up throughout the week. Each student received an assembly, led by Miss Stevens and Mr Bister which outlined the importance of this war, but also how to research family ties to the war itself through website searches such as the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (www.cwgc.org). As well as this Mr Hurd created a trail of local soldiers which were placed all around the school, so students could read about the local soldiers who gave their lives, but also get a sense of the scale of this war and effect on local community. Year 9 History students who have been studying the First World War in their lessons, created a visual memorial using 100 students which was photographed by a drone piloted by

Stephen Smith. Students within their lessons took part in activities linked to the First World War, and the amazing work by the Art department and their students created a memorial display that again remembered especially the local soldiers. On Thursday, the History department stayed after the parents’ evening to screen the Peter Jackson Film ‘They Shall Not Grow Old’ which the BBC kindly has issued CROCHET POPPIES a copy to every school in the country. This allowed both This year to commemorate the parents and students to watch the piece of cinematography centenary for WW1, that puts testimony and actual footage of the war together Mrs Gilchrist in the Reprographics to create an immersive experience of the war; all proceeds department began crocheting from this went to the Royal British Legion. The week poppies for purchase within the ended in school on Friday, where Miss Buttery had school in order to raise funds for the organised members of our local cadet forces who paid their Royal British Legion Poppy respect by leading the school in a minute’s silence, with the Appeal. Recruiting Mrs Walke and Last Post being played by bugler Ollie Poole. The majority Mrs Gladman, in just a couple of of the school gathered in Blue Court in order to pay their weeks leading up to Remembrance respects, and the moment was conducted with decorum by day, we were happy and proud to all, in order to create a truly emotional atmosphere that announce the total sum raised they showed the respectfulness of the students at The raised was an astonishing £107.42. Ridgeway. To that we would like to thank all that made a purchase/donation For some, the mark of respect did not end there, with many towards this historical event and students also being involved in the local memorial services hope to have your continued support on the 11th November, in line with the National Day of for next year. Mrs J Walke Remembrance. I would like to say thank you to all of the students who conducted themselves so well throughout the week, and also the staff, who enabled this to happen. Mr J Bister 16

Creative & Performing Arts

GREAT WAR DEBATE IN OXFORD In December the History department took a small group of historians to watch the last in the series of ‘The Great War debate’ in Oxford, this time focusing on the impact of technological development. It showcased an interactive debate with four prominent historians of the First World War and allowed students to ask questions as well as extend their knowledge. Mr J Bister

PRIME THEATRE VISIT students were able to meet the actors and ask At the beginning of October, Key Stage 3 questions about the performance, WW1 and students were lucky to be Prime Theatre’s first the actors themselves. Prime Theatre are school audience for ‘The 11th Hour’; a Theatre based in Swindon and will now continue their in Education performance about soldiers in tour of ‘The 11th Hour’ in local primary World War 1. After both performances, schools. Miss C Hodgkin

REMEMBRANCE EVENTS LIGHT UP A LIFE SERVICE We received the following message from Our Head Boy and Girl, Tomasz and Morenike, were honoured to On Sunday evening in December, twenty two Sheryl Crouch, Head of Fundraising at represent the school at the Wroughton Remembrance Service on of our students gave up their time to sing at The Prospect Hospice: Sunday 11th November. It was a particularly moving service with the Prospect Hospice ‘Light up a Life’ members of Wroughton Junior School reading the names of the fallen service. This was the fourth year we have Thank you so much for attending with the from Wroughton whilst the Silver Band played a memorial song. been invited to take part in this event and it is choir on Sunday, they really add so much to Miss H Buttery quite a tough one due to the nature of the the service and sang so beautifully!! And “Fix content and the personal stories and Me” was absolutely fine! It wouldn’t be the The Ridgeway Creative & Performing Arts team held their annual reflections shared. Our students were once same without you!! We have had lots of great concert of remembrance which included performances from the again an absolute credit to the school and the feedback and considering it was such a Wroughton Silver Band, Wroughton Junior School and of course our CPA faculty, carrying themselves with miserable day we still had just under 550 Ridgeway Choirs. The slick transitions from band to choir was superb thought, respect and professionalism. guests which was really lovely. I hope you and every student performed with passion and discipline, a particular Mrs Jankinson and team were was very proud have a lovely Christmas & New Year. highlight being the performance of ‘Can You Hear Me’? in which the of them all, and once again received many On behalf of patients and their families a choir signed the choruses (whilst singing too!). The concert ended comments from the public about their massive thank you again. with a combined performance of ‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ sung contribution to the evening. by both schools with the Wroughton Silver Band playing the musical accompaniment. A service and act of remembrance closed the evening with Max Allen (Year 12) reading the Exhortation. It certainly was a humbling and reflective evening that was a huge success raising £1,277.33 to be shared between Help the Heroes and The Royal British Legion. Mr M Pentelow 17

Performing & Creative Arts JANUARY ART UPDATE A huge well done to our Year 13 artists who completed a five hour mock Art exam in January. The pressure was on as this does actually count as part of their coursework mark which is 60% of their final grade. They all performed exceptionally well and we are so looking forward to what brilliant ideas and techniques they come up with in their real exam. Please follow us on social media for more outstanding student art work from all year groups and for general inspiration. Instagram: watts.mrs Ridge Way to the Arts Facebook: Creative & Performing Arts at the Ridgeway School Twitter: The Ridgeway School Art Department @art_ridgeway

BRIGHT YOUNG THINGS The 2018 art exhibition “Bright Young Things” a display of outstanding Year 7, 8 and 9 artists work from last academic year, was such a huge success. It was a much bigger event than it has ever been before, with the opening night Thursday 20th September seeing around thirty families attend. The standard of work was the highest we have ever seen which made it so hard to vote for a favourite piece of work. Congratulations to: 1st place Sarnai Sainbayar, Year 10 (Starbucks) Very closely followed by… 2nd place Isabel Faria, Year 10 (Peter Blake Art) 3rd place Harry Viveash, Year 10 (Fanta) Mrs H Watts

CONGRATULATIONS We are pleased to announce that Year 9 student, Jamie, came in third place in the Rotary Photography competition 2019. There were a huge amount of photo entries including GCSE and A Level students. Jamie’s entries were very unique and unusual - he has a real eye for detail!! SOMETHING ABOUT JAMIE In April Jamie’s photographs On Wednesday the 5th of January over a 100 of our students visited were on display in John the Apollo Theatre in London to watch “Everybody's talking about Lewis in Swindon with the Jamie”. Everyone was so taken away with how amazing the show other winners. was, the atmosphere in the theatre was so special with students This students is definitely a appreciating every moment. Some of our students were even lucky talent to watch in the future! enough to meet Jamie Campbell whose life the show is based on. Mrs H Watts Mr B Faghihi

18

WHERE IS THE LOVE?’ WHF CHRISTMAS CARD ARTS FESTIVAL 2019 WINNER In July we took nine Year 7 students to December saw the the WHF Arts Festival. They truly were annual Key Stage 3 , a credit to Ridgeway, and really got into Christmas Card the experience of the festival. Competition. We saw a Their interaction with other school colossal amount of students in the federation was entries, with The Art exemplary; they were kind, courteous Department being and polite to all students and staff who swamped with various spoke to them. They all got stuck into interesting and creative the workshops, creating some great designs. After a few days of deliberations, and Samba Rhythms as well as creating a passing a select few to Mr Povoas and SLT, we car made from recycled materials! were pleased to announce the winner… A huge congratulations to Tia Loveridge (8S2). We had to give an award for the student Tia managed to get her design selected from who participated in the festival with the hundreds of entries across KS3. The Art best spirit, and this award went to Department were very impressed with the Charlotte Collins (7S2). She received creative use of watercolour, layout, and the an art pack for her efforts full of creative use of The Ridgeway Logo, which was materials for her to use in her own also picked up by members of SLT. artwork. Well done Tia! Mr S Millard Mr S Millard 19

Creative & Performing Performing & Creative Arts YOUNG DRUMMER OF THE YEAR 2019 Congratulations to Michael Obrike, on becoming a fantastic and won everyone’s support as he was the finalist of the under 16s, Young Drummer of The youngest contestant. He got to meet the drummers Year 2019. Seven independent judges have for Robbie William, Emilie Sande, Olly Murs and Ed worked their way through the shortlisted 40 to come Sheeran and many more. up with 2019 final 10. The final took place on Well done Michael, a fantastic achievement. Sunday February 3rd in Bromsgove. Michael was

CHRISTMAS SHOWCASE OPEN MIC NIGHT 2019 - WHAT A ROCKIN’ SUCCESS Wow! Wow! Wow! On Tuesday and The event was completely organised by our Year thank Toby Leslie, Annabelle Whitford, Oli Poole Wednesday evening of the last week of 13 BTEC Music Tech students, who are marked on and Callum Davies who all did extremely well Term 2, 236 Creative and Performing Art the control of live sound at an event. Students from pulling together this event for their course. students performed to two full packed all years took part ranging from solo singing to Thank you also to all staff and students who houses their annual Christmas Showcase several great rock bands performing with supported this event – it was great to see you there. production. It was an amazing, wonderful, gusto! The hall was filled with support and Mr M Pentelow evening brilliantly showcasing a wide admiration for all the students who performed and variety of performing arts. Huge thanks to our now resident Compere, Dan Amer, kept the Mrs Hodge, Mrs Jankinson, and Mr audience entertained in-between acts. We’d like to Pentelow and all the unsung heroes who make such a brilliant evening possible. 20 Mr M Pentelow FAME - THE MUSICAL Well as the smell of the grease paint subsides and a millions pairs of leg warmers are

ART AND DESIGN EXHIBITION consigned to black bags, “FAME” has become Wow! Wow! Wow! In July 2019 the school hosted a slightly hazy, but very pleasant memory. an exhibition of stunning creative work from Year 7-9 It was an eventful journey, staring with Art and Design students. It showcased the many auditions where we felt a bit like the entire amazing talents of the students. The hall was school fancied themselves as ‘Carmen’, then buzzing with students, parents and guests admiring cast list up and we started preparing a teaser the variety of work. Well done to them all! for The Christmas Showcase, weekly rehearsals followed, then weekends, then daily, then “any moment we could find” rehearsals. We’ve had rehearsals where we’ve struggled to actually fit the cast in the Drama Studios, we’ve had many crises of confidence (from all of us!), we’ve had cast with no voices, directors with no voices, dancers on crutches, the odd tantrum, quite a lot of tears… in fact we’ve had a lot of everything but mostly we’ve had an incredible journey with the most talented and motivated group of young people you could wish to work with and the end results really proved what hard work, team spirit and a few threats can achieve! So for now it’s nearly time for some rest and relaxation. We will attempt to remove the song lyrics that are still ringing in our heads, re- charge our depleted batteries and we will return in September refreshed and ready to greet some lovely new performers, welcome back those familiar faces, launch into the next round of auditions and All that Jazz… Mrs S Hodge and Mrs R Jankinson

OUR AMAZING TALENTED ART STUDENTS We have been so incredibly blown away by how our amazingly talented and creative students pulled all of the set and props together for the school production of Fame last week!!! We have had so many amazing comments to say how professional it looked. A massive thank you to all of the students involved in KS3, 4 and 5! A special thank you to our Year 12 artists who have worked tirelessly for months on designing and creating the set and props. Also to Hollie Zaccaro, Marianne Stubbs, Ellie Easter, Brad Guilhem & Sofia Field in Year 11 who came back in to school and gave up their summer holiday to help out. I feel very lucky to work with such inspirational students!!!! Mrs H Watts 21

The Ridgeway Outdoors The Ridgeway

YEAR 7 CAMP Wow, what a great week Year 7 had on the residential trip this year! Despite the weather,

students took part in some incredibly wet activities like sea kayaking, jumbo sup and raft building. It may have been a bit chilly, but it was a great way to make new friends and be part of The Ridgeway community. We also made fire in the woods, climbed the Jurassic Coast cliffs and saw the twinkling lights of Swanage DofE BRONZE ASSESSMENT EXPEDITION at night when we went crabbing. Year 7 blew us September saw the first DofE Bronze Assessment Expedition away with their thoughtful from Barbury Castle to Aldbourne. Sometimes students miss an spirit, determination and expedition as they are perhaps competing for a national team on resilience. the dates or break a limb! This weekend was a catch-up What a great end to the assessment for these students who missed their assessment first term of Year 7! last summer. They performed brilliantly dealing with navigation Mrs K Stamp issues and camping out very efficiently in sub-zero conditions. On day one the route was from Barbury Castle to Mildenhall, with day two taking the team to Aldbourne. The highlight for the students was cooking and eating a superb meal after getting to the end of a long eight hour day on the Saturday. The team only knew each other by sight before the expedition and it was great to see them getting on well, working as a team and building new friendships. Mr E SIms 22

MAESYLADE OUTDOOR TRIP enhance their skill set and confidence mastering each Mountain Biking – James Mees On Wednesday 31st October thirty-six students and activity. The evenings were just jam packed with Thank you to Mr Wakefield, Mr Sims, Mr Pittaway, Mr seven members of staff braved an early morning start to Orienteeing, a night walk navigation master class from Gregory and Mr Care for their support throughout the travel to the Brecon Beacons for an action packed trip Mr Sims and an exciting laser tag tournament. trip – throwing themselves into water, caves or climbing with lots of adventure. Students had the opportunity to It was a pleasure to spend the week with the students up a mountain. take part in a specialist course in either Kayaking, who were fantastic throughout. We are really looking forward to seeing these students Climbing, Caving or Mountain Biking. As soon as the Most Improved Skill Set Prizes: Caving – Elina Howell: immerse themselves into the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh students arrived at the Maesylade centre it was straight Kayaking – Laura Hughes: Climbing – Holly Whyle: next year. out for a day of activities and an opportunity for students Mountain Biking – Abigail Cloughton Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn to get to grips with their chosen skill. Over the course of Star of the Week Prizes: Caving – Michael Doney Jnr: the four days students showed fantastic resilience to Kayaking – Ben Matthews: Climbing – Ashley Brooks:

MOUNTAIN & FOREST CLUB ‘Deadman Bottom’ The trail went through the forest and out onto Ten enthusiastic Year 9 students and 2 staff members All reminders of the fun and potential perils of moorland. The distance covered was approximately 5 went on a training exercise to the New Forest on walking! The students had a great day out. miles over a period of 4 hours. The sight of the minibus Saturday 13th January. The objective being to practice On the 9th of February eight enthusiastic Year 9 was welcome at the end. navigation skills using a map and compass on various students and 2 equally enthusiastic staff members had Mr Sims included fascinating facts and stories routes around the forest. an early start on a wet Saturday morning. The objective as the journey unfolded; one about the use of reindeer The weather was cloudy, calm and mild with good of the trip was to practice navigation skills using a map moss and another about the oak tree: These were the visibility. The terrain was boggy in places and and compass on various routes around the forest. The sacred trees of a Celtic forest undulating. The trail went through the forest and out rain stopped not long after arriving and turned into a and it was believed that if you touched a tree onto moorland. The distance covered was just short of 6 mixture of sunshine and cloud with a steady then you interacted with the tree’s spirit (Driad) and that miles over a 5 hour period. The sight of the minibus was breeze. There was a lot of standing water and mud was good luck! This is where the idea welcome at the end. under foot which added to the challenges. Students of knocking on wood comes from! The notable moments were: Finding a geocache, finding worked in pairs and took turns to lead the walk. At one We were entertained with a brief Trivia pursuits quiz an unattached antler, inquisitive ponies, and discovering point the teams were sent off individually to rendezvous when we reached the magic keyhole whilst waiting for all a single walking book stuck in mud at a place called at a set point. 23

Outdoors The Ridgeway TAN-Y-WYDDFA 2019 Tan-Y-Wyddfa is a mountain hut at Rhyd Ddu in the morning shadow of Mount Snowdon. A staff team of Petra Houston, Tony Dyson with Mr and Mrs Sims and Steve Shaw led a four day adventure in sometimes challenging conditions. The ten Year 9 students ended the 4 days with the skills to walk in Snowdonia in winter and brilliant competency washing dishes. The team journal reads: 17.02.19 Cwm Ldwal – 2.5miles 100m ascent Stopped here for short walk with students, but although fine, there were extremely strong winds so walking was strenuous in

DUKE OF EDINBURGH AWARD FOR SEN always possible for a participant to meet one or more of 10th September 2018, Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre. the expedition conditions because of a pre-existing I attended this introductory leaders course for Duke of condition. These participants can apply for Edinburgh Award as it was specially geared towards a variation that will enable them to complete the supporting SEN participants. The course included the expedition. Examples of acceptable variations are general introduction that all DofE leaders receive, but available from the Ridgeway School’s DofE all the delegates were people who work with co-ordinator, Mr Sims. vulnerable/SEN students. The course was part-funded Variations must be requested at the earliest by the MariaMarina foundation[1]; they support opportunity (particularly if the expedition is overseas) organisations which enable people, in particular the and must reach the relevant office at least twelve young, to transform their lives in a positive way. weeks prior to the date of departure. The written I was reassured that the DofE is keen to enable all approval received for a variation should be included in participants – those with visible disabilities and those the notifications sent in to the Assessor, so that the whose obstacles are invisible – as their mission is variation is taken into account. towards self-improvement, not a set standard. For Some things don’t need to be documented, such as the instance, during a Bronze-level expedition, participants participant needing to carry a light pack instead of full must travel under their own steam for three hours, but equipment. Mr Sims has organised countless DofE there is no set distance, either for the route or for how Award groups and can answer any further questions on far it is from home (though clearly, the whole point is to any of the four sections required for successful enjoy an adventure!). It is important for participants to completion (volunteering, physical improvement, match their strengths and enthusiasms to the other practical/social skills development, expedition and – at aspects of DofE, as this will make it easier to complete gold level – residential). His DofE supplies include all (though there is no ‘fail’ category, only ‘deferred’). (yes, all) equipment needed for the completion of DofE DofE Bronze Award can now be started during the expeditions. school year in which the student turns 14 (as opposed [1] MariaMarina Foundation supports organisations to starting on or after the date the student turns 14½). which enable people, in particular the young, to The same for Silver (15) and Gold (16). transform their lives in a positive way and foster their DofE is non-competitive. Participants only seek to access to education, vocational training, employment, improve upon their own character, performance and social care and the arts. https://www.mmf.li/ ability (self-development). Various requirements are set Janet Georgiou, LSA, ASC SRP (Silver Block) for this. However, the DofE recognises that it is not 24

places. Winds probably gusting to 40 mph. Huge stopped for lunch, but threatened to come in he’s a quiet little thing sometimes and we really landscape, massive mountains and views up again, so we stopped short of the summit (made think it’s brought out his confidence which is into Devil’s Kitchen. the eastern end of it) and came back following great. He went out of his comfort zone going on 18.02.19 Hafod y Llan campsite – Bwlch the wall and circled round to the path down the the trip not knowing who he was going with and Cwm Llan – Rhyd Ddu – 5 miles 400m hill and back to the start. A challenging day due to come back with such praise for it speaks ascent to steepness of ascent and rough, boggy and volumes. He particularly liked the shelters in the Sun to begin with but heading into threatening brackeny ground coming down, though rain, the map reading and walking new areas, dark clouds ahead, which led to a hailstorm and sheltered by the side of the mountain and wall. along with playing uno in the evening and the sweeping rain. Had lunch in storm shelters just 20.02.19 Caernarvon Castle and visit to KFC KFC of course!!!! below the top of the pass. Fine walk down He’s so looking forward to the next trip in a tent through disused slate quarries back to mountain On return to school we got much positive which is good as you never know if they will be hut. feedback from staff and parents including: put off, so just wanted to say a huge thankyou 19.02.19 Beddgelert – eastern summit of Dear Mr Sims and to say how very much he enjoyed it. Moel Hebog and back – 4 miles 500m ascent We just wanted to get in touch to say a huge Thanks again for all your time this half term, Rain held off for the first part but then came ‘Thank you’ for taking our son on such an teaching them new things and for looking after down heavily as we left the farm track and enjoyable trip, keeping them safe and making it them. Very much appreciated. headed off up the mountain. A tough climb up so memorable for him. He has not stopped Mr E Sims the mountain in rain which eased off as we talking about it which has been great for us as

LAST WALK OF THE SEASON Saturday 16th March was the last walk of The Ridgeway School 2018/19 Mountain Club season. A group of 10 Students and three leaders had a pleasant walk amongst the trees of the New Forest whilst practising important navigation skills. The country had suffered high winds for several days and that day was the end of the storm. We got unexpectedly wet whilst getting organised in the car park so made a hasty retreat to the BRONZE PRACTISE WEEKEND - MARCH 2019 The clocks went forward and 6am came around too shelter of the trees. A brief attempt was made to Sixty eight Year 10 Students left school on Saturday soon for some campers. However, they were all up, leave the trees but it didn’t last long. morning bound for the Cotswold to practise the outdoor breakfasted and packed ready for departure by 8am. The custom, before starting the walk, is for each skills they were taught the previous weekend. The weather was cloudy with a cool breeze and student to introduce themselves to the leaders A team of Ridgeway staff (and 4 partners) along with thankfully dry. and tell everyone what their D of E volunteering six Nolimits instructors accompanied the ten teams on The teams were walking unaccompanied and were activity is. This is always interesting and the their walk on Saturday. All teams started from reliant on their navigation skills to meet staff at a new leaders enjoy hearing about the diversity of Shortwood car park at Harefield Hill near Whiteshill, set of checkpoints. Some staff were proactively volunteering the students undertake. This is North of Stroud. Each team had created their own roaming the area to support and monitor the teams. another example of how the D of E scheme route to get to the Cranham Scout Centre to set up The finish point was in Miserden. Eight out of ten supports the school’s vision and values. camp for the night. teams managed to get to the end by 1.30pm. Students worked in pairs and took turns to lead The weather was bright and sunny and everyone left in Two teams had to be collected as they had run out of the whole group to various navigation points. At good spirits. A number of checkpoints were set up at time. All teams were debriefed and given tips to help one point the pairs went off under their own various points to replenish water supplies and provide next time. The buses were leaving at 2pm. guidance and skills to rendezvous at a place we moral support along the way. It was a magnificent achievement for all involved. called ‘The spider’ in the Islands Thorns All teams made it to camp before nightfall. They then Memories to cherish and muscles to ease. Inclosure. This was a valuable exercise to had to set up tents and cook a meal before being develop pacing, timing and compass skills as Mrs S Gladman

briefed on the next days’ challenge. Students spent there was no visible sign that the destination had time relaxing and enjoying the evening before lights out been reached. The day went really well. at 9.30pm. Mrs S Gladman 25

Science I’M A SCIENTIST: LIVE FINDS THE RIGHT FORMULA In March, students were treated to an excellent interactive experience called ‘I’m a Scientist: Live’. The event involved six scientists visiting the school to answer questions about their work, their research, and science in general. More than fifty students from Year 9 and 10 took part in the event, as well as students from four other schools — Kingsdown, Abbey Park, Commonweal, and Warneford. The event began with the scientists, who specialise in various fields, including biology, chemistry, physics, and research funding, discussing their research and presenting a few interesting facts about their area of expertise. They were then quizzed by the knowledgeable audience, who asked a series of challenging YEAR 13 BIOLOGY TRIP TO SWANAGE classroom. Students were very lucky that the weather scientific questions that the scientists eagerly debated. Science took seventy nine Year 13 Biology students to was on their side and they managed to stay in the sun Swanage for four days of essential practical for the duration. All students successfully completed all As the event drew to a close, the work. Students spent their days on the beach sampling the practical work they needed to pass A level Biology students were tasked with selecting their the biodiversity in various areas and their evenings in the and behaved in an exemplary fashion. Miss M Tuck favourite scientist. The STFC (Science Research Council) had generously offered to donate £100 to the chosen BRISTOL ZOO TRIP charity of the winning scientist, who on On Thursday 4th July, the Science Department took this occasion elected to award the money Year 7 to Bristol Zoo. Reviews included: to the NSPCC. Following the Q&A, the Five stars: Best school trip EVER! students had the opportunity to speak to Students were able to wander around the zoo at their the scientists individually, and asked own pace with their friends, watch the gorillas being more questions in search of as much fed with a talk from the zoo keepers, race each other knowledge as possible. and compare their speeds to cheetahs, as well as seeing all the little animals the zoo has to offer. Science is one of the fundamental The education session taught them about LECTURE BRINGS DINOSAURS TO SWINDON secondary school subjects, and an area ecosystems, how we affect them and how we can A group of enthusiastic R6 physics students headed to that we at The Ridgeway place significant protect them – and students were even given the New College to listen to a lecture by renowned Professor emphasis on. This event is just one of the opportunity to hold snakes, lizards and cockroaches! of Natural History Phil Manning from the University of ways that we strive to bring learning to Here is a snippet from Jacob Sweet’s trip report: Manchester. The Lecture gave evidence on the events life, and offer students an alternative that led to the extinction of the Dinosaurs. Knowledge of experience to traditional classroom When we got there we were allowed to roam around the events that closed the Cretaceous period are still learning. They had great fun attending for at least 10 minutes then we would meet up at the poorly understood. However, the latest technology and I’m a Scientist: Live while also improving aquarium and we would explore fish, and many more the discovery of new sites from around the globe are their scientific knowledge and gaining an animals, then we got to hold a cockroach and that helping science understand the timing and mechanisms invaluable insight into the life of a modern got a bit crazy… they were crawling everywhere! behind the extinction of the dinosaurs. -day scientist.

They were falling out of people’s hands and people Students enjoyed the lecture given by Professor Manning were screaming and it was all chaos! but were a little disappointed by the lack of actual Miss L Donaldson 26 dinosaurs! Mr P Kench

ASC SRP Other News

ASC SRP VISIT TO FORZA RACING GREATWOOD PRESENTATION DAY CONGRATULATIONS TO LEAH CHAMPIONSHIPS Each Tuesday morning for eight weeks, a group of six A huge congratulations to Leah who spoke in front of a On Saturday the 20th October, Mr Rosier took five students from Ridgeway ASC and SEN set off for a hundred students and parents from across Swindon as students from the ASC SRP (Specialist Resource for Confidence-buliding course at Greatwood, near part of her completing her Villiers Park programme. students with Autism), better known as Silver Block, to Marlborough; a charity set up to look after retired Lean has taken part in the Villiers Park programme for London to watch the Forza Racing World racehorses that also runs educational courses. The the last two years and has held an employee event Championships. We left school at about 3:30pm. course involved learning how to respect, care for and where a local district nurse came into school to speak On arrival, after we had been fully searched due to the interact with animals of all sizes. Ridgeway students to and inspire younger students, mentoring with a team live performance, we walked through the cinema to the learned how to muck out horse stalls and groom leader from Villiers Park. She also attended the screen where the event was taking place. Shetland ponies. They became confident at rounding residential trip to Oxford University and has now set In 2016 Turn 10 Studios launched the Forza Racing up and performing health-check on chickens and her sights on her post 16 accomplishments. We were Championship, a premier global tournament series goats. They led full-sized retired racehorses around extremely proud of Leah and her confidence and celebrating drivers in the e-Sports community. This the exercise enclosure and had a go the “Equicisers” passion throughout her speech. year the winner from the top 24 from all around the on which jockeys train to ride racehorses. For autistic Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn world would win £100,000. students unfamiliar with farm animals and horses this

It started and we were not sure what to except, in the was a huge challenge to which all rose brilliantly! Having had the relevance of the written work instilled end we got hooked!! We were even handed free T- SWINDON MATHS LEAGUE WINNERS shirts. during face-to-face interactions with the animals A Huge well done to Lucy Walker, Jamie Sheppard, The tournament was still taking place when we left at concerned, no student failed to complete their Abdelrahman Mahmoud and Eleri Owen for winning 11pm. This was much later than expected. We came workbooks to show their understanding of animal the Swindon Maths League. They worked excellently back home between 1am to 2am. welfare and every Ridgeway student passed the as a team to solve some really complex problems and By Ryan Garland and Harry Brain course. At the presentation day, each student went forward to collect their certificate with proud parents showed what an asset they are to the school. watching on. Afterwards, parents and students had Mr L Carney the opportunity to go and greet some of the horses in the stables where elderflower cordial drinks were being served along with cakes. A local ice cream van turned up, providing “complementary ice creams”, which provided a great opportunity for vocabulary building (What? It means free?). There was also an opportunity for a Ridgeway staff member to give a short speech summing up the benefits of the course, which was very well received. The presentation event was a superb end to the students’ Greatwood experience, providing fun, closure …and ice cream! Janet Georgiou 27 Thursday 7th December saw the first Immersion day of the academic year. There was a great buzz

Immersion Days Immersion around the school with a wide range of activities taking place… YEAR 7- GREAT BRITISH VALUES…

YEAR 9 - FIRST WORLD WAR… YEAR 13 - PREPARING TO FLY THE Following on from the centenary NEST… celebrations of remembrance, the YEAR 11 - DRIVE TO SUCCESS… On Immersion Day Year 13 chose History and PE departments, As part of the Year 11 Immersion Day from a range of activities designed to organised a day of activities, that students focused on their January support them in their planning and would allow students to experience PPEs and ‘Driving to Success.’ The thinking about independent living elements of the First World War, not focus was about students finding when they eventually fly the covered in lessons. Each mentor strategies that suited them to aide nest! Students had the challenge of group partook in different sessions, their revision time in the run up to making a delicious and nutritious meal that included a cross curricular feel, exams. for their group on a £5 budget and

which also had strong links to Swindon Students worked on rotation with could also choose to attend sessions and the surrounding area. These sessions focusing on Creating a on self-defence, living on a budget, In mentor groups, students developed included: Artillery development, which Revision Plan; Creating Revision student finance, travel planning, their knowledge of what makes Britain had a mathematical and scientific look Resources; A career and Post 16 refreshing grammar. There was a great through experiencing exciting into range and projectiles, the Court session delivered by our Careers wonderful atmosphere on the day, with workshops, which covered lots of martial of Edwin Dyett, where students Advisor Polly Wiggins; An interactive students sharing ideas and worries different topics. For example acted out a play about a soldier shot session with Mr Hill and Mrs Allbrook- about their next steps and really taking ‘Multicultural Britain’, ‘Modernising for desertion during the Battle of the Dunn, looking at strategies to enhance on board the advice and guidance Shakespeare’, ‘British Architecture’ Somme, a look at the media and art knowledge recall and revision given. and ‘How to train like a London 2012 used in propaganda which tips. Finally students had the chance British Olympian’ immersed students encouraged young men to fight, a trip to relieve some stress with a well- Wednesday 23rd Jan saw the in Great Britishness by using different into a field hospital where students being session focusing on mindfulness Second of four Immersion days for skills like art, drama, PE and discovered the problems of nursing with a few biscuits to help! this year. The school was alive with engineering to complete activities. and medical care on the Western Every student was provided with a wonderful activities and Front. Mr Fouracre showed the experiences for the students and students the games and activities revision toolkit which included a notepad, a range of pens and pencils their engagement and attitude was used for training soldiers during the wonderful to see throughout the First World War and a cinematic and (in particular a green pen for student feedback!) and highlighters. school… linguistic look into the Christmas Truce, with the film Joyeux Noel. Year 7 had a wonderful day of sport All students also got to experience the YEAR 12 - UNIVERSITY TRIP… based activities thanks to Mr Trench Man presentation, by Steve Year 12 attended Reading University McMeeking and the PE department; Williams, a local historical where they took part in ‘Next steps’ the noise from the Swimming Gala reenactor. His presentation, explored lecture, a ‘Campus tour’ and ‘Degree could be heard all of school – such YEAR 8 - RESILIENCE… the trials and tribulations of a solider Mix and match’ which had very enthusiasm and skill was excellent to Following the recent news stories on the front line. The day ended with surprising outcomes. Students were see – well done Year 7! able to interact with student about mental health, students got the the Trench Man firing off his Lee opportunity to learn, reflect and Enfield rifle on the field (blanks of ambassadors and spend the day on Year 8 were given an insight into a participate in activities to heighten course). campus. Students were outstanding variety of cultures and languages led their wellbeing. The activities included throughout the day and fully submerged themselves in ‘student by the MFL Team, they were creating Science and wellbeing, teamwork, relaxation, Ridgeway values and life’. They even took advantage of the the European bake off, planning weddings from all sorts of cultures and resilient role models . weekly food festival. It was a highly engaging day which inspired students learning about the noises animals make all over the world!! Excellent on life after R6. 28 work Year 8! Year 9 had a thoroughly informative On Thursday 21st March we Year 11 students spent the day with day looking at CV writing and the held our third Immersion Day. their options subject teachers, with future, with some opportunities to talk The day was buzzing with a 1hr 40 in each session. They had the Days Immersion to GCSE course teachers and opt-in variety of events… chance to develop and extend subject to sessions on subjects, which they knowledge, reflect on the recent PPE may choose for Year 10 and 11. The examinations and continue to prepare day ended with an introduction to the Year 7 - The day was spent to for the upcoming GCSE season. options process from Mr Wakefield – promote a love of literacy through a The Year 12 UCAS Convention trip to some really thought provoking stuff! range of games and activities. We The University of Worcester was Year 10 spent the day thinking about better understand their employees’ wanted to further develop students’ intended to help students explore a their health and wellbeing, the smell of strength, weaknesses and the way Spoken Language and to extend their wide range of academic and career herbal teas filled the corridors and Mr they perceive and process vocabulary, through a range of opportunities and discover a future Bister’s laid back relaxation room was information. Our guest speaker, activities: that is right for them. Students chatted a dream! The day also looked at a David Mitchell who currently works  Introduction to Performance Poetry, with university representatives and little bit of first aid training to ensure with the F1 team, took the students purpose and examples learnt more about their establishments careering through an engaging our students have a good insight into  Planning, writing and performing and the courses they offer. Those how to deal with some tricky presentation about how to make seeking an apprenticeship route had themselves more marketable. Some poetry to class with a focus on situations. effective language choices the opportunity to talk with time was spent reflecting on the apprenticeship providers. transferable skills students already  Whole year competition with 1st, had before they signed up the online 2nd and 3rd prizes tool Unifrog. This is a complete  Spelling bee with a focus on tier 2 Year 13 used this day to prepare for progression platform: which both language their forthcoming exams. Drama A makes it easy for students to find and level students had their exam on  Word games and activities apply for the best university courses March 25th and therefore worked with

and apprenticeships for them. The the Drama team to finalise their day finished with a presentation on Year 8 studied different aspects of performance in preparation for the apprenticeships given by Becky drugs. This is so that they better exam. Chemists completed their Bryant of Historic England and understand the medical, social, practical assessments in order to pass opportunity to quiz employers from a economical and biological impacts their A level practical certificate, BTEC variety of local businesses about their drugs have on us. They did this Science students worked on job roles. Fast paced and full of through a range of activities such as: completing their final coursework and activity, students are now much better  External talkers in Humanities students spent the day revising their Year 12 units and prepared to start thinking about their  Video Documentary next steps. Our next immersion day practicing exam technique. Other sees Year 12 going to the UCAS  Experiments students worked independently on this convention at Worcester University.  Specialist lessons day as Year 13 progress towards their Year 11 spent a really useful day exams. rotating through 3 sessions of core  Debate studies, 1 hour 40 each with English, Year 13 spent the day either working Maths and Science, this extra with their subject teachers or Year 10 – Careers Fayre opportunity to ensure readiness for independently following feedback from The Swindon Apprentice Lead carried the next few months and the looming their recent PPEs. It was a great out a presentation to the whole of exams was thoroughly beneficial! opportunity for the students to really Year 10 which informed them on what focus and take advantage of time to an Apprenticeship is, the different reflect on their performance. Year 12 spent immersion day types and levels, how to find and ‘careering’! The focus was on apply for them and why employers identifying the transferable skills that value them. Students visited the make people stand out from the crowd Careers Fayre and then reflected on when job hunting. Students the Careers Fair and what they learnt completed the MBTI survey ahead of from employers. They will also spent the day which categorised them into time looking at a ‘good’ interview and personality types. This test is used by techniques needed. many industries to help companies 29

YEAR 7 IMMERSION DAY: PERFORMANCE POETRY

Immersion Days Immersion On our 3rd Immersion Day, Year 7 students worked incredibly hard to produce creative, imaginative and original poetry. Students wrote poems in either small groups or individually within their mentor groups before the best poem from each mentor group was picked to compete in the hall. The winner from each mentor group performed their poem in the hall in front of the rest of Year 7. The performances were incredible; they ranged from very entertaining to extremely thoughtful and moving. The judges, English teachers Mr Burtwell and Miss Hatch, had a difficult job on their hands. However, the final results were: Isabella Betts – 1st Isabel Mirza – 2nd James Eddy – 3rd

Congratulations to the winner and the runners up: the poems they produced were absolutely fantastic. Year 7 as a whole impressed staff with their hard work and creativity on the day. A FANTASTIC AND BUSY FINAL healthy living. After a morning of A huge well done to Year 7! Miss I Morley IMMERSION DAY OF THE YEAR smoothie making and brain training, Creation of Imagination students spent the afternoon outside Year 7 spent the day learning about by Isabella Betts (1st place) playing team games. relationships, body changes and The creation of imagination, healthy living. They created role plays Year 10 spent the day in the maths There’s a spark in all of us in this generation, and took part lots of topic based department. From understanding It may come from inspiration, discussions. payslips, to finding the best mobile Maybe a walk in the park, phone deal, to finding out the costs of While most of Year 8 were on a trip to Or you’re sitting in the dark, learning to drive, students took part in the Science Museum, those staying You may not care, multiple activities teaching them all behind spent the day learning about You may not believe it, about personal finances. water conservation and were set the But once you do, task of building a working water wheel The Year 12 progression day provided You won’t be deceived by it. for a Nepalese village using only limited students with a fantastic opportunity Although my words mean nothing to you, resources. think about their next steps. The day Why not take a chance? included external speakers and subject You’ve got nothing to lose. The Year 9 day was all about specific advice. Mrs R Adams So let’s inspire together, promoting a better understanding of Whenever and wherever, Whether friends of foe, You never know where this might go. Whether fire or ice, it doesn’t hurt To say something nice. Whatever you put yourself to, There will always be a way to get through, There’s a spark in all of us in this generation It may come from inspiration. Maybe a walk in the park, Or you’re sitting in the dark. So take the opportunity, Please? Won’t you?

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Other News

COUNTY LINE ASSEMBLY SPONSORSHIP FROM RICHARD JAMES TASTE OF THE RIDGEWAY On Tuesday 12th March, AlterEgo Creative Solutions Congratulations to Millie, who has secured sponsorship In the school holidays, The Ridgeway school were joined came into to school to deliver their innovative production from Richard James Estate Agents to support her by thirty five Year 6 students attending our ‘Taste of of ‘County Lines’. County Lines gangs pose a significant expedition to Kenya for four weeks in 2020, where she Ridgeway’ Summer Programme to prepare for their start threat to vulnerable adults and children upon whom they will volunteer for rural community and conservation with us in September. The intention of the programme is rely to conduct and/or facilitate this criminality. The 60 projects. to combine fun and games alongside educational minute production and post show Q and A including what Millie said, “The aim of the trip is to help improve living activities to enable a smooth transition from Primary county lines is, the grooming process, the similarities and standards for communities in an ecologically sensitive School to Secondary School. potential crossovers between criminal exploitation and and sustainable way. I will help to deliver a number of We designed the programme to provide students with child sexual exploitation and how young people can spot projects supporting the local community, wildlife the opportunity to experience a further insight into the the indicators of these. I would like to thank Miss Blackler conservation and the environment, and see first-hand the Ridgeway School and Sixth Form College (and what we and the English and the Science Faculties for allowing challenges that face rural communities.” have to offer). The programme gave students a chance the whole of Year 9 out of lessons to experience this To help her reach her target, Millie decided to offer to participate in some fun activities as well as develop production. space on her T-shirt for local firms to sponsor, and their numeracy and literacy skills, providing them with a Students reflections of the production are below: Richard James were quick to lend their support. great start and a boost in confidence for September.  The acting was very good and relayed the Ross Sutton, Director at Richard James, and manager of We ended the three days with a presentation, where message clear. the Wroughton office said: “We’re a people-first friends and families joined us to taste the students business, so we like to get to know the people we’re cooking and experience first-hand what we have  Good to make it relevant to them – made them selling for, and develop a real relationship with achieved. think about it and the fact that it is close to home. them. So, when Millie approached us, we were delighted Many thanks to all the Ridgeway staff who gave up their to be able to help.”  Interesting to see how different people are involved time to make this such a success. in the chain Millie is still looking for more local firms to sponsor her T- shirt, which she is planning to wear at all her fundraising Miss H Ornov events, in and around Swindon, as well as on the

Mr Wakefield. expedition.

31

Languages Foreign Modern

CULTURE CLUB On Tuesday 25th September Culture Club restarted in the Languages Faculty. This is a club open to Years 7 and 8, where students can learn and experience more about the cultures of countries where other languages are spoken.

The theme for the first week was the Vikings, which involved students making themselves Viking masks, inscribing those with characters from the Runic alphabet, learning words from old Norse still used in English today and also eating some typical Viking snacks. A good time was had by all and twenty four NORMANDY & PARIS Students learnt about goat farming, feeding the students signed up as members of the club. The trip started in Normandy and Paris with a goats and sampling the goat’s cheese before stop en route at Honfleur, a picturesque seaside going tobogganing at the ‘luge’. They then town and port. This was just the beginning of headed for Paris and visited the Sacré In October the Club had a Portuguese theme hosted by an action-packed five days spent in France. Coeur. Students went to the top of the Tour Mrs Melo, who is a new teacher at The Ridgeway in the Everyone enjoyed two days in Normandy where Montparnasse with a magnificent view worth MFL faculty this year. She taught them some of the they had an opportunity to visit Mont St Michel getting up early for. Other visits included Portuguese language and baked some custard cakes, and the American Cemetery near Pointe du Napoleon’s tomb and Monet’s paintings. They which are typical in Portugal. Needless to say the Hoc. They looked at Arromanches, site of even managed to fit in a walk around Notre cakes were gone in no time. Later on this term, Mulberry Harbour and Gold Beach followed by a Dame, a cruise on a Bateau Mouche and a students in Year 9 Language Leaders run sessions at short film at the 360 Cinema. Students still had coach tour of Paris seeing some of the main Culture Club. This takes place every week in Y12, after enough energy to make their own pizza in the sights including the Arc de Triomphe and school from 3:15 to 4:15pm on a Tuesday, and all Year evening, rolling their own dough! They then Champs Elysées,. What a fantastic day! 7 and 8 students are welcome. played games, including a rounders match The last day was spent at Asterix Park before between the teachers and students. travelling home. Mrs L Jackson and Mr J Robertson Mr J Robertson

32

FRENCH TRIP TO LA COTE D’OPALE

On 15th February, twenty six Year 11 students set talking to the locals and having English free out early from school to visit “la côte d’Opale” in zones. northern France for four days. They stayed in a gite where they were able to During our stay, we did a lot of exciting things enjoy making pancakes, trying a typical French including a visit to a bakery, a trip to the coastal cheese based dish called “Raclette” and taking town of “le Touquet” and a local chocolate factory. parts in fun French games such as the building of The students also had plenty of opportunities to balloon towers. The students really had a good practice their French in preparation for their GCSE time. Miss Beaurain. speaking exams – by completing shopping tasks,

VISIT FROM JAPANESE TEACHERS On Monday 29th April we had a visit from twelve Japanese teachers, who came in to work with Year 9 Language Leaders. Students were dressed in traditional kimono costumes, practised eating with chopsticks, learned to paint traditional Japanese character and wore Kibuki theatre masks. It was a wonderful and exciting experience that made students want to travel to Japan and experience more. The Language Leaders are a big group of forty students this year, which meets every Thursday and they have been fantastic ambassadors in school and real advocates of language learning. Mr J Robertson

GERMAN EXCHANGE VISIT Ridgeway School coped admirably making lots of new On the 8th of June a group of thirty Year 9 and 10 friends and speaking German along the way. They students set out for Frankfurt to take part in the first should all feel really proud of themselves. school exchange between our school and As well as the delicious food, students enjoyed visits to Kopernikusschule. They spent five days in sunny medieval Gelnhausen, Frankfurt old town, the zoo and Germany taking in some famous tourist attractions, but much more. We very much hope that this will be the first also going to school with German partner students and of many exchange visits between our two schools. taking part in their lessons. Mr J Robertson The students themselves deserve a lot of credit, as it takes a bit of courage to put yourself in a situation where you have to go to school in another country, where another language is spoken. Everyone from The

33

Modern Foreign Languages Foreign Modern

EUROPEAN DAY OF LANGUAGES YEAR 8 GERMAN TRIP YEAR 5 LANGUAGES DAY Wednesday 26th September was an important day for Fifty Year 8 students set out for Germany The Day had been an amazing experience us in the Languages Department. very early on the 1st of December. They had and everyone had a great time. At the A day to celebrate all of the wonderful languages and a very busy four days visiting three of the big beginning we were assigned groups and cultures within Europe (and some beyond too!). Christmas markets in Aachen, Bonn and throughout the day we learnt the story of As a department, we annually offer a wide variety of Trier. There was also a lot to learn about the Goldilocks and the Three Bears in French,

activities to our students to try out something new or history of Germany. Students visited a Spanish, German and Portuguese. different and this year is no different! From Continental medieval castle and a museum about the breakfasts courtesy of the school Cafeteria to history of Germany since 1945. We did fun activities such as snakes and researching which words are borrowed from different A particular highlight was a cable car ride ladders, find the odd one out and some of the languages to practising our tongue twisters and over the river Rhine. The accommodation languages leaders performed the story in researching foreign language speakers from around the this year was very smart and people enjoyed German. After lunch, there was a competition world. European Day of Languages is one not to be playing table tennis and pool in the in the hall and the Year 5s could choose whether to make a poster, choreograph a missed. Mrs L Jackson evenings. performance or build a replica of a famous Big thanks to the teachers who came along to help and made the trip possible: Mrs Day, foreign building or landmark. MFL FACULTY GOES FULLY TECH Mrs Melo, Mr and Mrs Simms. There were lots of great contributions such as At the beginning of term a delivery of 30 shiny new Mr J Robertson multiple Eiffel towers, the Brandenburg gate iPads arrived in the languages faculty for students to and fact files about Italy. However in the end, begin making use of. Then on Monday 8th October a hilarious performance of Goldilocks and the MFL teachers from all over Swindon came to The Three Bears by some of the students won the Ridgeway School to learn how these iPads can be used prize of “€2000” (fake money). All in all effectively in teaching and learning foreign languages. everyone had a wonderful time and it was We had a specialist trainer teaching the teachers, by massive success as well as an enjoyable the name of Joe Dale, who is a bit of a celebrity in the experience for the language leaders. world of MFL. Students can expect to have lots of fun, Mr J Robertson engaging activities, using technology, which will help

them to build confidence in speaking in their lessons

from now on. All the apps we use in lessons on the

school iPads are free and can be used by students 34 outside of lessons too. Mr J Robertson

Sports Sports Award Evening

SPORTS AWARDS EVENING – 2019 large number of our students who Coach and inspire youngsters themselves.

This year’s Sports Awards Evening, again was superbly supported by both The awards evening, was opened by presenting the T’Yanni Tendayi KS3 students and parents! It is always excellent to have the opportunity to reward Rising Star award in recognition of the sad loss of T’Yanni. The award our fantastic students for their hard work and endeavour across a wide range of recognises outstanding performances across KS3. Tongayi, T’Yanni’s older brother and Mr Goward (T’Yanni’s grandad), helped present the award, which sports. was a particular highlight of the evening. Our Guests of Honour was Rob Mitchell, Welsh High Jump Champion and Commonwealth Games athlete. Rob is part of the ‘Sports for Champions’ One of the key aims of the evening is not only to recognise outstanding achievements it is also to inspire our younger students in KS3. We hope that programme. they will continue their hard work and dedication over the next few years and The ‘Sports For Champions’ programme, fosters the belief that within every hopefully we will see them nominated in future years. child there is a champion. Their aim was to show students that with hard work and motivation, they can achieve their dream not only in sport, but in every As a result our Year 7 and Year 8 ‘Rising Stars’ were invited to help with the aspect of their lives. presenting of trophies and certificates and our Y9 ‘Sports Leaders’ were responsible for asking Rob his questions during the question and answer Rob worked with our students throughout the day and held powerful seminars session. These students were superb in both roles and helped to make a very and and Question and Answer sessions for students to learn how he got into special evening. Rob was inspirational, funny and engaging throughout the Q & athletics, the positives of a healthy active lifestyle, the need for good nutrition. A session and his energy and enthusiasm whilst presenting each of the thirty Rob was a total inspiration for our students and gave lots of tips on how to one awards was a true testament to the wonderful sports stars that they have succeed by outlining the four key elements of SUCCESS; become. Teamwork, Responsibility, Communication and Creativity. He was very honest and specific in highlighting what it is like being a It was fantastic to have a role model from Athletics to inspire our students as so professional athlete, a role that millions of youngsters dream to be! He spoke many of our students are actively involved in Athletics outside of school. passionately about striving for their goals, believing in your dreams and how lucky he has been to play sport for a living. Rob spoke candidly about the There was a fantastic performance that opened the evening that really show pressures and responsibilities of being professional sportsmen and women. He cased the high standard of our brilliant students. Our Y9 girls, Memphis Lee was inspirational during the Q & A session and his passion for all sports was Dixon and Edie Cuninghame performed an outstanding contemporary piece evident throughout the evening where his energy and enthusiasm in presenting that they had performed in our brilliant Gym and Dance displays earlier in the all thirty one awards, was a real credit to him. year. Well done to Memphis and Edie! They contributed in making another super evening that inspired all students that We had over twenty awards to present covering all sports and academic were present. sporting study, highlighting the outstanding student achievements within their chosen field across 2017-18. We had three new awards this year recognising Thank you to all who attended. the outstanding talent in both Year 7 and Year 8 and an award highlighting the Mr M McMeeking, Head of PE 3535

Physical Education Physical

ASPIRE CHANNEL SWIM SOUTH WEST BRINGING THE GOLD HOME YEAR 9 ROUNDERS CHALLENGE CHAMPIONSHIPS FOR THE SECOND TIME Congratulations to the Year 9 We would like to say a massive Freya represented Wiltshire Rebecca is a Ridgeway Leisure rounders team who won their match congratulations to Ridgeway yesterday at Exeter in the South Centre employee and ex Ridgeway against Dorcan this week. The score student Jess, who has successfully West Inter-Counties Student. Rebecca is a member of was 12 – 4. A great game in the completed an impressive 22 miles Championships. Team England Paracheer Freestyle session with the team work really in 12 days!! The good news is She grabbed Gold in the U13G Pom. They have been World well together to get a fantastic Jess has now proven she can 1500m which she has been Champions 2017/18 and 2018/19. outcome. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn make her own way to France next working hard at all season. summer and dad can save money It has been yet another golden year Well Done Freya. for Team England in the ParaCheer on the ferry cost. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn division of the International Cheer Union (ICU) World Championships. With the ICU World Championships being held so close to Disney World there was only one choice for the team to celebrate- a trip to Hollywood studios. 36

CONGRATULATIONS ZOE GYM & DANCE DISPLAY coached Year 7 and 8 students in dance, Zoe took up the sport of lawn bowls In March we had our annual gym and gymnastics and martial arts. Year 11 about 18 months ago. It is one of dance display that involved over 120 of our student Harrison Dowell was also a real those sports that doesn't get students performing thirty eight pieces asset to the show working on the tech anywhere near as much attention as it consisting of vaulting, gymnastics and desk throughout the rehearsals and the should in the media (you'd be dances. The students did an amazing job shows and even on the Friday night taking surprised how many young people choreographing their own pieces and the technical lead for the lights. Our year 9 are now playing!). practicing since the auditions were held in sports leaders also choreographed and led November. We are really proud of all the some of the White Horse Primary schools At the end of February, the finals of students for their commitment, dedication to create two dances that were performed the Wiltshire Indoor EBYDS (English and perseverance through the rehearsals in the show. It was an amazing two Bowls Youth Development Scheme) in lunchtimes, afterschool and at the evenings in front of full audiences which were held in Salisbury. The bowlers weekend. A special mention must go to really showcased the talent that Ridgeway were split into Seniors and Juniors to our amazing sixth form CSLA leaders; Mia students have to offer and the memories play a round robin competition in the Gough, Olivia Dodson, Alice Baker, Orla which they have created. morning and undertake four skills Smith, Dani Spry and Georgia Spry who Mrs R Hill tests in the afternoon. Each event was marked with the totals added to find the winners in each section. Zoe won the Junior Section. Zoe also reached and played in the final of an indoor mixed pairs competition at her home club in Old Town. She played very well and although she and her partner didn't quite pick up the winner’s trophy on this occasion, she should be very proud of her achievement in getting to the final and coming runner-up. Zoe has now played in the regional competition. She played very well and came 2nd in the junior section. This means she is in the top two and CONGRATULATIONS TO CONGRATULATIONS SOUTH WEST ATHLETICS will now be representing the county at the national finals in the autumn. She AYLA Congratulations to Billy who came A Huge congratulations to the is the only Wiltshire finalist. Congratulations to Ayla who took a sixth overall in the ALL BRITISH following students who represented An amazing achievement of which Bronze medal in the South West Motocross meeting at the weekend Ridgeway and Wiltshire in the South she's justifiably proud, as are we! in round three of this seasons West Athletics; Josh Ricketts, Harry Inter – Counties Athletics. Ayla has been working hard to tackle a new events. We wish Billy luck for the Ricketts, Hannah New, Ayla Tonkin challenge of the 1500m rest of the season. and Frank Harrison. The stand out CONGRATULATIONS EUAN steeplechase and the commitment Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn performance came from Josh We would like to pass on our and endeavour is clearly paying off. Ricketts who came first in the congratulation to Euan McMeekan This is a fantastic achievement and hammer throw, with a throw of who has obtained his second degree we look forward to seeing Ayla 52.85m and second in the shot put Black Belt in TaeKwon Do. Fabulous progress and be able to use these with a massive personal best of achievement. We look forward to fantastic results for her GCSE PE 14.89m. This now places Josh in the following his success. top ten in the country for his age practical grade. group and he has been selected to Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn attend the National English Schools Competition. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn 3737

Education Physical WHF FOOTBALL FESTIVAL Back in September our coaching numbers rose to six teams with over seventy students. These included Rodbourne, Moredon, Tregoze, Mountford Manor, Drove, and Croft. They were all very competitive teams with great spirits and had high hopes of winning. The first match was very tense and ended at an amazing 8-0 to Tregoze against Mountford Manor. To keep up the children’s energy and to let them have fun we have set up a prep-warm up for the teams only when they aren’t playing competitively. All six schools stayed focused and happy whilst playing each game whatever the end result. Miss T Pilgrim

SWINDON COLLEGE DAY On 12th June, ten Year 8 Sports Leaders that have already impressed with their sports leader application forms travelled to Swindon College for a Swindon schools sports tournament hosted by Swindon College’s level 3 BTEC Sports students They took part in football, handball, basketball and dodge- ball, but the overall objective was for the Year 8 sport students, was to see the planning, confidence and leadership skills demonstrated by the 18 to 20 year olds. Mr M Wakefield

T’YANNI TENDAYI MEMORIAL MATCH On Friday 16th November the Year 13 students set up and organised a cake sale and memorial football match for T’Yanni Tendayi. It was a great celebration of T’Yanni which we shared with his family. The Year 13s, who were some of T’Yanni’s closest friends split themselves into two competitive teams and played a fantastic match. T’Yanni was a talented sportsman and this tribute represented his favourite activities – playing football and being around friends and family. An amazing £172.21 was raised and donated to Royal Bristol Children’s Hospital. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

FOOTBALL COACHING SESSION On Saturday 19th January, fifteen Year 9 Sports Leaders were given the opportunity to travel across to Sheldon School in Chippenham to help out at the annual County Cross Country Championships. They helped out selling cakes, making refreshment, processing results, and selling programmes, taking a total of £750 throughout the day. So many staff members from other Wiltshire schools commented on how enthusiastic they were in weather conditions that were not the best. Without the help of these sports leaders, this event would not have been possible. Well done to all involved. A huge congratulations to Freya on her selection for the South West Cross Country which was held in Bath on Saturday 2nd February. 38 Mr M Wakefield

GIRLS BASKETBALL Well done to both the Year 7 and U15 Basketball teams who beat Royal Wotton Bassett Academy in our fixtures. Both games were closely contested and it was fantastic to see great sportsmanship between both schools as some students played their first ever Basketball match. The final scores were Year 7 – Win 8 – 6 and the U14 match – Win 12 – 4. Nominated most valuable playersA were Cameron Rankin – Acosta for the U14s and Millie White for Year 7. Remember Girls’ Basketball club is on a Tuesday from 3.30 – 4.30pm. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

CROSS COUNTRY SWINDON SCHOOLS and Rosheen O’Callaghan (10th) On Saturday 17th November nine staff and over sixty Year 7 Boys – Joe Varndell (8th) & Michael Perry (10th) Ridgeway students headed over to Nova Hreod to take Year 8/9 Boys – Jonathan Vodden (1st) Jamie part in the annual Swindon Schools Cross Country. It Sheppard (7th) & Sam White (8th) was a cold and bitter morning but luckily the sun shone Year 8/9 Girls – Beth Davidse (3rd) Lauren Chant through which meant great conditions for our students (10th) on the new lengthened course. We had some fantastic Year 10/11 Girls – Ayla Tonkin (3rd) results as year group teams and individuals with the Year 10/11 Boys – Harry Woods (1st) Will Palmer (2nd) most notable performances coming from the following: Euan Balmer (8th) Year 7 Girls – Millie White (2nd) Freya Davidse (3rd) Senior Girls – Mandy Tonkin (1st) Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

CONGRATULATIONS BASKETBALL A huge congratulations to Maddy Tonkin who was Well Done to the Year 10 boys’ basketball team selected to run for Wiltshire at the UK Intercounties who beat Royal Wootton Bassett in the Cup quarter Cross Country Champs at Loughborough in March. finals by 8 points! A fantastic achievement. At the end of the third quarter the team were tied at Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn 37 – 37, but stormed 2 layups and a 3 point shot in the last minute to take the win. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

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Physical Education Physical

Wednesday 17th July was our Year 7-12 sports day, event, the track events for Year 7 – 10. All students of the position and the new house banners that following on from our field event day earlier this were requested to get themselves involved in at were paraded up and down the track. The term. All students came to school in their PE kit and least two events in the afternoon. Races included: atmosphere was so supportive, genuine and we had a wonderful sea of blue around the building! 800m, 60m, 100m, 200m, 8x50m, and we finished encouraged those not so confident to get involved, Each year group spent a lesson in the morning with the most anticipated and competitive event of and that’s what it is all about! Thank you all for a participating in a variety of activities. We had the the day the 4x100m! Amazingly with over 1200 memorable way to finish the school year and a huge brilliant cheerleading and football golf which were students out on the track we ran to time perfectly. It Thank you to the Year 12 BTEC Sport students who new activities this year providing students with new was a fantastic day where once again staff were were in charge on planning the day as part of their experiences and a taste of alternative activities. reminded how supportive and brilliant our students course. The effort and hard work put into the Other morning activities included, Question of Sport are with a standing ovation for both the staff relay planning and implementation of event really paid off quizzes, watching the class ‘Might Ducks’ film and and the final 4 X 100m. and made it an extra special occasion. (Thank you the Year 9 & 10 students designed and created I would like to thank the students for their efforts on Todd Burroughs, Max Simons, Charles Grayson, their own Rugby World Cup Strips! Meanwhile the the day and to the excellent staff who all helped in Ben Hacker, Cameron Harvey and the support of Year 12 students took part in the quiz, team building making yet another successful day filled with brilliant HSLA students on the day). activities And their own traditional Sports Day. memories for students to take away with them. My We look forward to 2019/20 with many more whole Wayne and the brilliant catering team ran a very personal highlight were the numerous times that our school house and PE events. successful BBQ at lunch for the whole school – students spontaneously burst into applause to Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn many thanks to them. Then, we were into the main support and encourage those competing regardless

SPORTS DAY RESULTS 1ST AVEBURY 869 2ND SILBURY 851 3RD BARBURY 816 4TH KENNET 805 Year 7 Year 8 Year 9 Year 10 1st Barbury 247 Silbury 220 Silbury 206 Avebury 227 2nd Avebury 243 Avebury 212 Barbury 192 Kennet 212 3rd Silbury 224 Kennet 204 Kennet 190 Silbury 201 4th Kennet 199 Barbury 185 Avebury 187 Barbury 192

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U14 NETBALL TOURNAMENT Well done to the Year 8 & 9 Girls who took part in the Swindon U14 Netball tournament. They had a tough pool which included Highworth, Abbey Park, Swindon Academy, Wootton Bassett and Commonweal. They played several close games with two draws against Wotton Bassett and Commonweal which allowed the team to play Dorcan in the next round. Unfortunately Ridgeway lost this match a very close 10 – 7. Throughout the tournament the girls were exceptional teammates who were motivated and enthusiastic. The support for each other was fantastic to see and we really look forward to watching them grow in their year group teams this netball season. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

ROSS IMPRESSES ON HIS ENGLAND DEBUT FOOTBALL COACHING SESSION Ross Lester closed his 2018 competition season on a high On Thursday 13th September 2018, a by making a significant contribution to England’s win at handpicked selection of Sports Leaders along the 38th National Skeet Home Countries International with Miss Pilgrim held a football coaching Tournament in Doveridge. Making his England Team session, with the objective of furthering the debut, Ross shot an outstanding 147/150 to help England knowledge and experience of football with secure a 734 ex 750 overall win against Scotland, Wales, many Year 4, 5 and 6 students. The focus this Northern Ireland, Ireland, Isle of Man and Jersey. sessions’ coaching was to learn skills and drills On an individual basis, Ross won the “Highest Placed New to help boost their football ability. This Cap” trophy (all age groups and countries) and two included goal-keeping techniques taught by trophies for the “Junior High Gun” (U21, all countries and Sam White and Zoe Malcolm, ball control with England). Rob Hirons, the England Manager, stated that Riley Embling and Izzy Field, spatial “no other junior athlete to memory had made such a awareness by Bertie Jacques-Matthias and positive and significant contribution to the national team on Louise Cady, dribbling taught by Skye Lamb their international debut.” Rob added “I’m very excited and Angus Eastell, and finally passing with about Ross’s future…especially now that he has been Juliette Bonnettti and Joshua Hockin. Overall offered a place on the British Shooting Talent Pathway.” the session was a success with a Sports Ross wants to thank all the members of the England Team, Leader saying, “Today has gone as planned the England Team Captain, the England Team Manager meaning it’s gone very well. We also have and the CPSA for making him feel so welcome on his many rising football stars in the mix. brilliant!” debut. Ross added “I’m also grateful to Ridgeway School A Moredon student called Sophie said “Brilliant! for supporting my busy coaching and competition I enjoyed the goal keeping the most and will be timetable.” using these skills for the future.” Ross, now ranked number one Colt in the UK, added the above international awards to his growing major championship gold medal wins: 2018 English Open Major Championship, 2018 British Open Major Championship and 2018 Welsh Open Major Championship. Fantastic achievement - well done Ross!!

4141

Farewell to to YearFarewell 11

FAREWELL TO THE CLASS OF 2019 Year 11 enjoyed a memorable day on Friday 10th May to celebrate their Year 11 leavers. Students enjoyed a full sit down meal provided by Wayne our school caterer, where they enjoyed Nando’s style chicken and chips followed by an array of doughnuts. It was a squeeze fitting them all in but great to see students socialising in their mentor groups and being served lunch by their mentors. Once the meal had finished the Year 11s were asked to leave to take a group photo. Unbeknown to them the whole school was out on blue court waiting to cheer them across to the back field in a Ridgeway first line-up. Years 7 – 10 clapped students and wished them congratulations and good luck for their final exams. This was followed by a whole year group photo from the skies with the drone. Into the final assembly we went through a sea of emotions from laughter to tears. Messages from staff and student of the terms certificates were followed by some fantastic and hilarious year book awards. Then came the staff video with an Avengers theme which caused much hilarity for the students and some embarrassment for the staff. Then came the emotion with students receiving emotive and heartfelt letters from home which gave our students the encouragement they deserve for their exam chapter. It was a fantastic day to celebrate as a year group and as a family as some of the students finish their Ridgeway journey whilst others look forward to returning in September. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn

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YEAR 11 LEAVERS PROM ARRIVING IN STYLE On Friday 21st June Year 11 students had their final farewell at The Year 11 Prom at Nineteen students decided they have come to school for the last five years on the bus, STEAM museum. 202 students and 60 staff attended and enjoyed an evening of and it would be perfect for their trip to the prom on the same bus. celebrations, well wishes and lots of dancing. The students looked fantastic and They approached Swindon Bus Company and with the bus driver, Chris Pullen arrived in style in their formal wear. Transport included a yellow mustang, The volunteering his time, the company said yes. Chris has been driving students to The Ridgeway School minibus, the famous Swindon 153 bus and even an ice-cream van. Ridgeway for the last 12 years and he was delighted when he was asked to drive the Awards were given out to those with the most nominations for best-dressed boy and students to Prom. girl and the Prom King and Queen. It was great to have all students together for one All the students contributed and raised £160, which has been donated to Prospect last time and a great evening was had by all. Hospice.

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News Other House News

HOUSE REWARD TRIP In July the House team took 96 students to Thorpe Park for their end-of-year reward trip. The weather was looking dicey on the way there but the sun soon broke through the clouds and the sun was shining all day – ideal for drying off after getting

drenched on the log flumes! The students were far braver than us teachers and we were egged on by Year 7 to try the 0 – 80 mph in 1 second rollercoaster – terrifying! Safe to say those students are far braver than I. The students did themselves proud and behaved beautifully throughout the day – I was very proud of them all. Miss L Donaldson WILTSHIRE AIR AMBULANCE Mrs J Meredith, Faculty Leader of Humanities and In May, representatives of the Wiltshire Air Social Sciences, said: “It was so selfless of the Ambulance service visited our school to accept a Wiltshire Air Ambulance to deliver these training SUNFLOWER COMPETITION donation of £250. The money was raised by our sessions for free. Our students learned life-saving Term 5 and 6 has been exciting for our students generous students and staff to support this skills and thoroughly enjoyed the sessions, so we as we have all taken part in the annual Sunflower valuable public service and the vital work they do. felt we had to give something back. Students and Competition with each mentor group received a It was the Air Ambulance service’s second visit to staff agreed that raising money to make a donation seed and plant pot and some soil. Each group our school this year, after recently delivering a first was a great way to show our appreciation, and we had a free rein on how they wanted to nurture and aid session to our Year 10 students. Their visit are proud to have raised £250 to support their grow their sunflower and we had some fantastic thrilled our students and gave them an extremely amazing work." results. valuable lesson in assisting people with injuries. It was great to welcome the Wiltshire Air Congratulations to the winning mentor groups The Wiltshire Air Ambulance staff kindly conducted Ambulance back to our school, and we were who have received a Pizza celebration lunch as a the session completely free of charge — whereas delighted to raise £250, which will go toward reward for all of their hard work. sustaining their crucial, life-saving work. other providers charge a set fee for the course. In 10A2 - 9S2 - 8B2 - 7K1 Mrs J Meredith order to thank them for their generosity, our The staff prize goes to Miss Blackler. students and staff decided to make a donation. Students were also asked to create a guide on how to grow and look after the perfect sunflower.

The winners of the sunflower guides were: SAFE DRIVE 10S1 and 7S1 Wednesday 26th September we took our Year 11 A huge congratulations to all students who took cohort to the annual Safe Drive, Stay Alive part and show fantastic teamwork initiative at Empire cinemas in Greenbridge, and leadership skills. Mrs G Allbrook-Dunn Swindon. After the initial hum of chatter and laughter, the cinema soon dropped to silence as our impeccably behaved Year 11s listened to the sombre, heartbreaking stories that these courageous people had to tell. The message was extremely clear and at times very hard hitting, however our students responded professionally and with courtesy through the films and speeches. 44 Mr M Pentelow

THE GREAT RIDGEWAY BAKE OFF FORMULA 24 PROJECT On the 16th September, the students visited Castle Combe On Monday 19th November the Head of For a number of Key Stage 3 students, the first couple of for the last race of the season. The students took part in two House Team held one of the most weekends after the summer holidays were very eventful! The 90 minute endurance races – finishing 42nd out of 53 in the anticipated events of the year… The Great Ridgeway’s Formula 24 team took part in their first electric go morning race and clawing it back in the afternoon race to Ridgeway Bake Off! We saw a huge 50 kart race days. finish 39th! entries ranging from mermaid scenes, On the 9th September the students visited Dunsfold Park and The students were up against seasoned racers, so were forest landscapes and even an incredibly completed a 90 minute endurance race competing against 51 incredibly proud of what they achieved. All of the students life-like snake. Many thanks to our guest other schools. We came 38th overall but achieved first place involved demonstrated fantastic team work and their attitude judges for offering their critical eye on the out of the 8 new teams that took part. The students were throughout the whole project has been inspiring! morning and to Mrs Stamp and Mr Pauling rightly proud of their achievement and were already looking Miss L Hodge for joining me in being the head judges. at improvements to make to the car for the following Congratulations to 1st placed Olivia Jefferd weekend. for baking a magnificent lime and coconut mermaid cake which wowed all of the judges, to 2nd placed Scarlett Fisher for her THE HUB STUDENTS SEN STUDENTS CELEBRATE wonderful flakey forest scene and to joint A YEAR OF HARD WORK 3rd placed John Brice, for his replica of Silbury Hill and Theo Lewis for his 4 tiered, On Wednesday 10th July, we held our Hub celebration BBQ. fruity victoria sponge. The BBQ was to celebrate all our hard working SEN students at Ridgeway; to celebrate their resilience and tenacity. We had We then held a massive bake sale with all some fantastic rounders games, we had games such as apple profits going to the new, local house bobbing, Jenga and charities. In total we managed to raise tin-can alley. The apple bobbing is always a huge hit with £138.42, which will be split equally between students who begin by timidly trying to get an apple and by the the RSPCA, Stonewall, Macmillan and end of the afternoon; they are fearlessly dipping their heads in Wiltshire Mind. Thank you to all students the water! Everyone enjoyed some BBQ food and some well- who baked, iced and sifted for the day, all earned relaxation and bonding time. Thanks to all the SEN entries will receive 5 house points! staff for running this event, especially Miss Ornov and Miss Miss J Mowat Chadwick. We look forward to another rewarding year next year and wish you all a wonderful summer holiday break. Mrs D Deery

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Fundraising

R6 CAKE SALE Thank you to R6 who raised an incredible £171.59 through a cake sale. Your donation will help Macmillan to be there for people living with cancer and their families, giving them all sorts of support when they need us most. This could be anything from a chat with someone who understands, to providing expert cancer information they can trust. Miss E Launchbury

INDONESIA TSUNAMI APPEAL Year 9 Geography students have been learning about tectonic hazards and the impacts they have on people and places around the world. After studying the impacts of the devastating earthquake and tsunami in Indonesia on 30th September, the students decided they would like to organise a fundraiser for the survivors. Over a hundred thousand people are in urgent need of water, food and shelter. Working together, our students set up an awareness campaign within the school and arranged an amazing cake sale, raffle and competition, raising a total of £171.61 that will be donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee. Well done and thank you to all involved. Miss A Curtis Slater

46 THANK YOU FROM... their green tokens into our donation box and helped raise this wonderful gift.

This money is going to be used to purchase essential things for the room. Many thanks to shoppers for supporting the R6 fund and Waitrose for their kind donation. It is great that the community in Wroughton and Wichelstowe have supported our project- and we will update with photos when we have refurbished the room. On Friday 14th December everyone swapped their Every year thousands of animals suffer from neglect, school uniform for sparkle and Christmas jumpers in cruelty and abuse. With your help, we can end their exchange for a £1 donation in aid of Save The Children. misery. RSPCA rely on voluntary fundraising and A wonderful £1128.99 was collected. donations to carry out our vital work. Thank you for your Thank you for all you donations. donation of £487.31. It is already on its way to changing an animal’s life.

Thank you for your donation of £351.04 to Stonewall. We simply couldn’t continue to do the work that we do

without your generosity and we’re hugely grateful for your support.

Your contribution is particularly important to us now.

Despite achieving almost full legal equality for LGBT Following the charity football game in memory of T’yanni people in Britain, we now face the even tougher task of

Tendayi, we received this message from Lydia hanging hearts and minds here and around the world. McGivern, Community Fundraising Officer, Above and

Beyond… Thank you so much to he Ridgeway School & Sixth Form

Thank you so much for your generous donation of College, thank you for your £507.48.

£172.21 to Above & Beyond, in aid of the Paediatric Your donation will help Macmillan to be there for people Intensive Care Unit (PICU) at Bristol Royal Hospital for living with cancer and their families, giving them all sorts Children. Your continuous support in memory of Tyanni of support when they need us most. This could be will be used to help critically ill young patients from anything from a chat with someone who understands, to across Bristol and the South West receive the very best providing expert cancer information they can trust. possible care.

The support of generous people like you makes a real Thank you for your generous donation of £647.91. difference to patients: making the hospitals more Your gift will go towards helping some of the world’s comfortable, funding innovative research, supporting and most disadvantaged children. Claire Rowney, training hospital staff and providing state of the art Director of Fundraising. equipment. A truly amazing gift to give!

We are incredibly grateful to you for your generous support and cannot thank you enough for helping our hospitals.

Many thanks from all the staff at Wiltshire Mind for your kind donation of £436.96. Thank you to everyone who supported Children in Need Wiltshire Mind is a Mental Health Charity providing much needed services to mental health sufferers across the on Friday 16th November. county of Wiltshire. Our support groups provide a As a school we raised a fantastic friendly place where anyone can find support and R6 and The Ridgeway School would like to thank £1301.38 friendship. Waitrose Community Matters, for donating £440.00 towards the R6 Well-Being room. Shoppers dropped 47

R6 -

Sixth Form

Huge congratulations to all of our students on their A level results. 54% of students achieved A levels at A*-B grades with 30% of students achieving the highest grades of A and A*! All the hard work and commitment of our students fully supported by our dedicated staff has paid off. Many of our students are going onto further study at university with others are leaving The Ridgeway to begin apprenticeships. We wish all of our students every success for the future. We are also very excited to welcome our new Year 12 students who have settled into R6 life very quickly. Our R6 Open Evening is on Thursday, 3rd October and we look forward to asking probing questions to further their own encouraging our Year 11 students to join R6 next MP ROBERT BUCKLAND VISITS R6 understanding and develop their opinions about year. If you are looking for a successful, dynamic Back in December, The Ridgeway Sixth Form the current Brexit debate. We are very grateful to and high achieving 6th Form , then look no hosted a joint visit from our Swindon South MP both Robert and Amy for giving up their time further. R6 is the place where aspirations Robert Buckland along with Our Future Our Choice especially given the current fast pace of become reality! campaigner Amy Heley. Both visitors spoke with passion and honesty to the Year 12 and Year 13 parliamentary activity. Politics and Economics classes, with students Miss H Buttery Mrs H Dixon Head of Sixth Form

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R6 SPORTS As part of the Autumn sports fixtures in R6, Year 13 were triumphant in defeating Year 12 at netball, 18 points to 2. However, order was restored the following week in the Year 13 vs Staff netball match with

the staff winning margin at 19 points to 4. A great couple of events, organised by the student R6 Sports Committee assisted by Mr Fouracre, following on from the Year 12 vs Year 13 rugby earlier in the term which also resulted in a Year 13 victory. Miss H Buttery

BUDDING MEDICAL STUDENTS medical equipment – from VISIT FROM NATIONWIDE budgeting tips, and advised about On Tuesday, seven Year 12 students using surgical equipment in keyhole On Wednesday 20th March Year debt, overdrafts and credit cards. attended a Medical Mavericks Study surgery to using the Vein finder. There twelve students had a short talk We hope the discussion has Higher conference. The students all were also stalls from higher education from Nationwide, about money made our students more money have an interest in a medical career path providers which gave the students an management and about students aware and that keeping a buffer and the conference discussed the opportunity to discuss which courses spending and saving habits. of savings is key for emergencies various careers that students could they should select in order to follow their It was very interesting with and can stop the use of credit choose within the NHS. There are career path. It was a great morning and several of our students hoping to cards and overdrafts. thousands of different routes and lots of we have some budding anaesthetists be Cash buyers when buying Miss E Launchbury opportunities for the students. and surgeons in R6!! their first house! They then had the chance to use some Miss E Launchbury They gave the students some 49

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Sixth Form

GERMAN EXCHANGE TRIP Two of our Sixth Form students took part in a very exciting Erasmus event in Germany. This took place at our partner school in a place called Freigericht near Frankfurt. During the week, the students were set lots of challenges such as carrying out chemistry experiments at a German University and even learning to dance the Chachacha. We were well looked after by our German hosts, who showed us around lots of interesting places and let us in to see some of their lessons. There is an Erasmus event planned to take place at The Ridgeway in 2020, where students will be coming from the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belgium. This is a wonderful opportunity to travel abroad and improve your language skills as well as boosting your job prospects, so you should get involved. Mr E Sims

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Meet the New 2019-20 R6 Student Leadership Group...

HEAD GIRL – SKY SHORTRIDGE Hello, my name is Skye and I am thrilled to have had the opportunity to become head girl. I have been at the Ridgeway School since year 7, and am approaching my 7th and final year at the school and am excited to see what this final year brings. During these teenage years I changed and developed massively in my confidence and work ethic, with the assistance of the endless opportunities and positive atmosphere which the school has provided me. I am honoured to now have the opportunity to participate in creating this same atmosphere for other students, and hope my ideas can have a positive impact. I am currently studying history, politics and maths and hope to attend university to study politics further.

DEPUTY HEAD GIRL – EMILY SMITH Hi, I’m Emily and I am Deputy Head Girl of The Ridgeway School; I have attended the school for the last six years, and now heading into my final year, I’m extremely honoured to be a part of the Student Leadership Team. I study English Literature, Geography and Psychology at A-level, and also love to get involved with PE and intervention sessions for other year groups. From gallivanting around in rural Ecuador to playing rounders matches with my peers, I’m grateful for every experience Ridgeway has offered me and now strive to encourage younger years to do the same. Although Year 13 will prove to be challenging, I’m determined to make it the best one yet!

HEAD BOY – MAX ALLEN I have been at Ridgeway all the way through since year 7 and being chosen to be Head Boy is an opportunity, I am very honoured to have been given. I will grasp the opportunity with both hands and aim to give back as much as I can to the school that has helped me so much along the way. I am delighted to have such an amazing student leadership to spend the next year working alongside helping with all things school and 6th form related. A-Levels are a very challenging time for everyone, and I will strive to make everyone’s time at the R6 as enjoyable and rewarding as possible. In terms of A-Levels I am studying Physics, History and Maths as well as a BTEC in Music Technology with the end goal being joining the RAF as a Pilot or Weapons Systems Officer.

DEPUTY HEAD BOY – HARRY LOWE Since joining Ridgeway in Year 7, I have always been extremely grateful for all of the opportunities to develop new skills and gain new experiences that it offers the students. I believe that these opportunities for positions of responsibility have prepared me well to fulfil this new role. I am honoured to represent the students as Deputy Head Boy and greatly appreciate the opportunity to give back to the school, as it has done so much for me. I look forward to working with the Leadership Team to help improve the School and the Sixth Form, ensuring every student’s voice is heard. I have many ideas in how we can do this, involving the development of R6 Committees & Events and the transition period of Year 11 into 12. I am currently studying Maths, Chemistry and Biology with the hope of going on to study Medicine at university.

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THRIVING THROUGH VENTURE challenging but where these two needs (having a In March The Ridgeway School and Sixth Form sense of purpose and belonging) remain. College hosted an exhibition displaying work from a Why is The Ridgeway School hosting the local project called Thriving Through Venture. exhibition? Thriving Through Venture (TTV) engages young We were proud to say that this exhibition displayed a people with: ‘real life purposeful projects’, (the small piece of the work of two R6 students – Toby 2018 year – developing skills in photography, writing Leslie and Ellie Beale. They were involved in the and business for international development) moving Thriving Through Venture Project last year, whilst in beyond classroom and text books onto preparing Year 12. them for the adult world by practical engagement with it, and with connecting and developing their awareness of the importance of having a sense Ellie Beale was on the Storytelling team. She of belonging through connecting with different writes: people in their communities in Wiltshire but also Thriving Through Venture has been an amazing further afield in the very different, predominantly experience for me for so many reasons. For a start, Muslim and relatively poor community of Gunjur thus I’ve made the most incredible friends that I never deepening their perspective of the world and giving thought I would and made the best memories that them an essential experience of the global will stay with me forever. environment in which ultimately they will inevitably work. Through this type of work, resilience and self- Before leaving for the trip to The Gambia, I thought it confidence develop and thrive, helping our young would be easy to leave home for two weeks, and for people find their right place in the adult world – so the most of it, it really was but there definitely were important in a world which is ever changing, and times that were harder than others. Everyone had a point when they struggled, but we all helped each 52

other and managed to get through it together. While we were there, we had the opportunity to visit

the British High Embassy, got taught how to play Djembe drums which was so much fun and even got to teach our Gambian partners how to swim. For me, that is one of my favourite memories as it wasn’t a planned activity and it was nice to see how they progressed from the first time, when they were terrified, to being able to jump in the pool and have competitions to hold their breath for the longest, by the end. We could see how grateful they were and it definitely felt like that was the most worthwhile part of the trip. TTV has proven to me that I’m a lot more resilient than I thought as part of my role as a storyteller was to interview people in and around Marlborough and compare them to interviews in Gunjur, then write a reflective piece on them. For me, I struggle to write for hours on end and, with the added heat, it felt like forever but I worked through it all and finished so that now my work can be included in a book that will be sold. I’m proud to say I’ve been a part of TTV, especially it being the first year, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to have taken part.

Toby Leslie was on the Photography team. He writes: TTV is an amazing life changing charity aimed YEAR 13 PROM towards those in need of a little lift in life. It offers On Friday 28th June, we all said collaborative programmes for young people that goodbye in style to our Year 13 gives them skills and promotes confidence and students. Over the last few weeks the mental well-being. The youth of the group work students have all studied and revised together within three different groups. Storytelling, so hard, so it was lovely to see them where they develop their writing skills with the older relax and enjoy themselves. generation by listening to their stories. The Mango Business, which is a start-up Fair-Trade business The ball was in Chiseldon House, and that exports Mangoes to the UK to increase the the sunny June weather meant that we countries economy. Lastly the Photography, this could make full use of the grounds. gains a meaningful lifetime skill that fundamentally Both teachers and students danced influences the vision in photography capturing a the night away and it was a perfect moment alongside the storytelling. The journey is last hurrah for everyone. through the year where the Mentors and Teenagers The next time we will all see each bond together with a weekend away and many catch- other again will be on results day, ups, before a memorable trip to The Gambia in Thursday 16th August, and we wish all August. the students the best of luck, and R6 students are getting involved in the project hope they get to the destinations they again this year. If you would like to find out more, want to. please visit: www.ttventure.org Miss E Launchbury

Mrs A Midson 53 53

R6 -

Sixth Form

SWEDISH EXCHANGE - SWINDON VISIT meet us the following day. the hill. We mixed with the Swedes all day. SWEDEN We arrived at our accommodation late at night and We spent the next two mornings in the Swedish The Swedish exchange trip was one of the best trudged through the snow in the dark to get to our College, doing a mixture of food tasting, quizzes, Ridgeway trips I’ve been on. The combination of lodges that were part of a golf course. On entering, and English and Biology lessons – including activities and free time was perfect, and there are we were pleasantly surprised. The kitchen was more dissecting a Deer heart. On the Monday evening, no other people I would have rather spent the 5 than functional, and the fridge was stocked with we played badminton with the Swedes. It was great days with. The most appropriate word to describe enough bacon, eggs and orange juice to get us to have some banter over a big game of ‘Around the the Swedish students is ‘entertaining’, and their through the trip. -10°C doesn’t feel as cold as it World’. Tuesday’s evening activity Boda Borg not English was amazing. We had found that a couple sounds; I began to think that Sweden simply doesn’t disappoint; I could write pages and pages about our of them had developed American accents from experience wind. 3 hour experience. Here is how their website watching American television over the years; On the first day of meeting the students, we took describes it: Teams of 3-5 guests move through the Apparently, ‘Friends’ is very popular all over part in some ice-breaking activities. To be honest, it Quests, tackling a variety of mental and physical Scandinavia. was kind of awkward at first, especially as the challenges. Success in the first challenge means We were greeted at the airport in Stockholm by two Swedes were embarrassed about their English. But entry into the next challenge and so on… Failure in of the teachers; Mats, their English teacher, and as they relaxed and became more comfortable any challenge means starting over or selecting Jessica, their Biology teacher. In contrast to our around us, they began to speak more, and we were another Quest. relationships with our teachers, the students call able to get to know them better. I struggled to On Wednesday morning, we had a PE lesson with their teachers by their first names and find it weird understand their names and how to pronounce them the Swedes. They taught us how to play different how formal and structured our education system is. initially. That afternoon, we went sledging, ice versions of dodgeball, each with a different objective The 3-hour journey from Stockholm to Degerfors skating and bowling. The sledging hill was very long and rules. That was great fun too. I will never forget was made bearable by our quick stop at McDonald’s and steep; it took a while to walk up it, but it was the sound when I launched a ball at one of the halfway through the journey. This gave us an definitely worth the effort. We raced down it together Swedish boys’ head. He didn’t seem phased by it opportunity to get to know Mats and Jessica better. a few times. Then some went ice skating, while though. After that, we went to the site of the school’s They told us how excited their students were to others opted for bowling; the ice rink and bowling construction program and made our own bird boxes 54 alley were only a couple hundred meters away from to gift to the students. In the afternoon, we experienced a Japanese martial arts session, where we were taught how to walk and to defend ourselves. The traditional Japanese dojo was on a hill with a beautiful view of the snowy landscape, which made it even more enjoyable. We spent the last night with the Swedes at a farewell event in their school. It was a very good way to say goodbye to the people we had grown so close to in such a short period of time. They had planned games and challenges for us, which brought out all our competitive sides. The last goodbye was very emotional, but we agreed that it would not be the last time we would all see each other. Harry Lowe, Year 12

SWEDEN RETURN TO SWINDON It was an amazing week! We did so much in such little time and made friendships that will last forever. Our week started when the lovely Swedish students and the members of staff arrived at around 12:00 on Saturday the 2nd. All the students from Ridgeway were counting down the minutes until we would see our new friends again. The first thing we did was watch a Swindon Football match which we won (off to a great start). On Sunday morning we met the exchange students at the outlet and wow they can shop. We then went to the Ice hockey match which they all admitted was much more violent than Swedish hockey. On the Monday and Tuesday the students attended periods 1-4 with us with sporting activities weaved in BUSINESS STUDENTS CELEBRATE Distinction in the course is equivalent to an A grade at including a mass Volleyball tournament. Let’s just Six students on the Extended Certificate Applied ‘A’ Level, with Merit and Pass being equivalent to say that the common room was very full. They General Business course received their results from an grades C and E respectively. To gain the Extended seemed to enjoy being at school but said it was weird examination they sat in mid-January. This is the first Certificate, students need to pass two examinations, having younger students around as their College is time the school has run this course, a more practical and four controlled assignments. The course allows for over 16’s. On the Monday night we went to Toby alternative to the ‘A’ Level Business course, and the students to re-sit if they fail. All the students are Carvery which they enjoyed as it is something that results were fabulous – Hannah scored an almost genuinely pleased that we have not had to take up this they don’t have over in Sweden (roast dinners) and perfect mark of 96% and was awarded a well-deserved option this year! Congratulations to them all. then on Tuesday night we went to Better Extreme Distinction, Etai and Max gained hard-earned Merits, Mrs R Lamb which you always forget how fun it is until you get and Morgan, Eden, and Cameron all passed Unit 1, a there, we then walked over for Pizza Hut which they course focused on Financial Planning and Analysis. enjoyed. On the Wednesday they got the train to Bath and R6 OPEN EVENING options. We had a number of external students who went on a tour of the University. Then we went on On Thursday 11th October, R6 opened the doors to had travelled from different schools in the area, and our farewell meal to the ever popular Nando’s which Year 11 students. The response was amazing with who were all interested in finding out more about what everyone seemed to enjoy. It ended pretty quickly so over 170 students and their families attending to look R6 can offer. The Common Room café was a buzz of we had a small gathering afterwards just to make the around R6 and to discuss their different subject activity with free samples of food, allowing the students most of our final hours together. It was so much fun options. The students enjoyed walking around the a real taste of Sixth Form life! and we have memories that will last forever. We subject areas and gaining knowledge about course Miss E Launchbury have very much enjoyed having the Swedish students in Swindon and they will be missed.

Olivia O’Brien, Year 12

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