• Abstract and Figures
• Public Full-text

The Woodhey Bulletin No.108 A NEWSLETTER FROM WOODHEY HIGH SCHOOL Dec 2012 Dear Parents/Carers At the end of another extremely busy and productive Autumn Term, I want to thank you on behalf of all the pupils and staff at Woodhey for the exceptional support you have offered in so many ways this year. It is, as always, much appreciated. Our academic results this year were excellent - amongst the best the school has ever achieved. Thanks for your support and encouragement in helping your sons/daughters to achieve and in many cases exceed their targets. I always reflect at this time of year on the marvellous charitable deeds of our young- sters. This year has been especially productive with several thousand pounds raised for local, national and international charities. In a time of growing materialism and com- mercialism it is heartening to see so many young people genuinely caring for the well being of others less fortunate than themselves. We always try to emphasise the importance of positive relationships through kindness, understanding and courtesy. These qualities are particularly relevant over the Christ- mas period when we hope all our pupils will show an act of kindness to someone in the local community. May I take this opportunity to wish you, your family and your friends a happy, restful Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. M Braidley, Headteacher Snow falling softly to the ground like a feather floating Never forget that it‘s ok for your bellies to be bloating On Christmas Morn, children get up at dawn Wait for their parents, to show them the lawn Freezing, glistening and full of snow Last night you heard Santa, ho, ho, ho A turkey in the oven for Christmas Dinner Keeping us on tender hooks, I won‘t be thinner! Engaging in games and conversations too Sometimes I wish it could be Christmas every day, don‘t you? Charis Lane 9A Lauren Nicholas 9A Holiday Pattern 2012-2013 Close Open 2012 Christmas Fri 21/12/2012 Tues 08/01/2013 2013 Spring Term Fri 08/02/2013 Mon 18/02/2013 Easter Thurs 21/03/2013 Mon 08/04/2013 Half Term Fri 24/05/2013 Mon 03/06/2013 Summer Fri 19/07/2013 *Please note that the holiday pattern can also be found on the school website under the section ’About Us’. Bikes in School Any pupils coming to school on a bike MUST wear a cycle hel- met. Their bike should also have been checked by a parent/carer to ensure that it is roadworthy. We have had instances recently where the brakes were certainly not in good condition. We want to encourage pupils to be active, but need them to be safe. Thank you for your support in this matter. M Braidley Please be aware that there is no money kept in the office to lend to pupils. Page 2—The Woodhey Bulletin Dec 2012 ―Operation Christmas Child‖ has shown the generous, community minded, caring spirits of our students and staff once again! Woodhey High School has wrapped and packed 211 shoeboxes filled with a multitude of gifts to be sent to children in Swaziland. We have also collected an additional £142. This is a fantastic effort and we should all be proud. The Shoebox appeal gives those growing up in relative wealth the opportunity to participate in selfless giving and show compassion to others - irrespective of creed, colour, religion, sex or ethnicity of ei- ther the giver or the receiver. Students have worked together to wrap and pack these shoeboxes. One year 9 form contributed over 20 boxes! An individual student brought in 5 boxes. Values of compassion and fairness, among oth- ers, are seen here. J Hides The Woodhey Bulletin Dec 2012 – Page 3 Our Anglo French Skype adventure Since the start of term Year 8HKP set 2 French have been lucky enough to have penpals at our French link school, Collège Juliette Adam. This link has culminated this term in two Skype meetings between our classes. We have two accounts of our expereince. The first is from Madame Dandrimont, the English teacher in France : « Mr Barlow, one of his sets, I and my year 8 in Gif sur Yvette –France- have lately made an extraordinary experiment, the Skype adventure. Skyping their pen friends whom they had been in touch with for two months already has been a tremendous experience for my French students. Fifteen minutes of greetings, making contact, asking questions and good laughs. Everyone agreed that it was like secretly opening a window directly into another world, a new universe, England itself ! As everyone from their sides of the Skype window decided to take up the challenge to speak a different language, make themselves understand no matter how difficult, meant a lot to Mr Barlow and me. English accent or French verbs were no longer a problem. On the contrary, speaking a foreign language was luckily useful at last ! After our 15-minute skyping adventure most of my French pupils spent break time in the classroom to talk about what they had just experienced. No need to tell you that they feel very much motivated to skype their English pen friends from Woodhey High School again soon. So far, new ideas have germinated in Mr Barlow’s and my minds for next time our classes skype. Coming soon : songs and games in both languages. Thank you Woodhey High School and see you again via our Skype window very soon. » Emmanuelle Dandrimont, teacher of English at Juliette Adam School, Gif sur Yvette Josh Hudson, 8Hoyle also shares his expereinces : « We have been speaking to Madame Dandrimont and her class via Skype and we have also ex- changed letters and Christmas cards. The link with the school in France has been fun and a good expereince. It is also inte- resting to see French handwriting and find out about people from another country ! » Page 4—The Woodhey Bulletin Dec 2012 SCIENCE - STEM Activities Week Numerous STEM (Science, Technol- ogy, Engineering and Mathematics) took place over the half term. Year 7 took part in the rollercoaster challenge organised by Miss Rees. The activity took place over 6 lunchtimes, with pupils working in teams of four. Each team had access to everyday items to build their roller- coaster and their aim was to keep their marble off the ground for the longest time. It was a close competi- tion with two teams eventually being Amber Hewitt, Laura Moppett, Madeleine Dearden and Rebecca White show off their named as joint winners. Rollercoaster. The pupils of year 8 had two opportunities to get involved. The whole year took part in the Architecture Bridge building challenge day, where they had to combine mathematical thinking with design and construction skills. They worked collaboratively, relying on the varied skills in their group to produce a bridge with the largest span. 50 pupils took part in the egg crash challenge where they worked in a team to design and develop a car that could undergo impact without the passengers being seriously injured or A successful crash? cracked! They were then marked on their design and their presentation with Georgia Pretlove-Smith, Sammi Butler, Rebecca McCann, Olivia Swarbrick and Paige Wild be- ing named as overall winners. In year 9, fifty pupils took part in the wind tur- bine challenge. This helped to develop the understanding for the need for renewable energy. The day followed the pattern of the egg crash challenge, with the pupils working in teams competing against other pupils, de- veloping ideas, constructing prototypes and managing resources as they produced a tur- bine which was capable of producing the most electricity. Jack Coxen, Jack Bennett, Josh Alexander and Harrison Foster were judged to be the overall winners. Ellie Morgan and Megan Woodcock seeing how much electricity their turbine produced. Continued on Page 18. The Woodhey Bulletin Dec 2012 -Page 5 Spanglovision Oh, what fun we had! On the afternoon of Thursday 18 October, the Year 7 pupils, all dressed in yel- low and red for this special occasion, took part in our 3rd Spanglovision contest. This is primarily a singing competition which over the years has become more of a singing and dancing event for the enjoyment of all the Year 7 pupils who were both spectators as well as contestants. This day was the culmination of a great deal of hard work from all the Year 7 Spanish teachers who had to teach the Spanish words of their chosen song to their respective class, as well as choreograph their dancing routine for the most adventurous ones! Once everyone was sitting comfortably in the Frank Bennett hall, our Spanglovision host Señor Barlow introduced the three judges, Mr Baines, Mrs King and Mrs Burdaky. As the afternoon progressed, the atmosphere in the hall was hotting up since all the young spectators were cheering loudly for their form. However, these same pupils were also good sports since they encour- aged one another by joining in the singing and even the dancing throughout the afternoon. To add to the spirit of the occasion, Carlos our mystery guest, provid- ed some entertainment for pupils and staff in between the performances with his hilarious Spanish jokes. Finally, when all seven forms had performed and after long deliberations, the judges decided that there would be a tie for first place between 7AKE singing ―La Bamba‖ and 7RHO singing ―Living La Vida Loca‖. 7AKE‘s teacher Señora Rothwell and 7RHO‘s teacher Mrs Edwards were very excited, each one hoping that her class would win. After more singing and dancing, at long last the judges made a decision and declared that 7AKE were the winners of the 2012 Spanglovision contest! All the Year 7 pupils had a most enjoyable and exciting Spanish afternoon which they will remember fondly for many years to come.

Load more

  20

Copy Link