WEAVERHAM HIGH SCHOOL NEWSLETTER February 2019

Many staff and pupils welcome the ‘shorter’ half terms, but at Contingency Day and Year 11 Exams Weaverham we have a tendency to pack as much into 6 weeks as For those of you with children sitting GCSE’s this summer please we would in an 8 week block and this half term has been no be aware of the exam contingency day on Wednesday 26th June. different! With the school production of Annie fast approaching, The justification as to why this has been introduced is to enable a the anticipation is palpable. The cast are heading to the drama nationally agreed date in the event that, for whatever reason, and music spaces every lunchtime in order to rehearse in there is a need to reschedule ANY exam. Recent disasters including Grenfell fire, where survivors who were in Year 11 sat preparation for a busy week of performances. With a tech exams the following day, has called for such action to be taken. rehearsal and a dress rehearsal already under their belt, their Mrs German our Exams Officer has attended a briefing recently three performances this week promise to be a busy but to ensure we are fully aware of our expectations as a school. It is rewarding one for these hard working pupils. If you would like expected that ALL Year 11 pupils who are sitting exams remain tickets please contact the school office 01606 852120. available for any date up until 26th June as Exam Boards can reschedule any exam should they need to. Thanks to all those Year 11 and Year 10 parents who attended

parents evening this half term; there was, once again, a very Continuing with exams, well done to Year 11 pupils for surviving positive ‘vibe’ overall. I hope the conversations you had with my Mock Results day. I hope the assembly afterwards gave our colleagues furnished you and your child with positive messages pupils the clear message that our Year 11 pupils are full of and some clear action points to enable them to achieve their talent, ambition and potential – I have no doubt that by working very best. If you have any worries, get back in touch with us – we together we can give them the individual support they need to will achieve greatness when we work together. secure success.

Snow! Establishing a realistic and workable home revision programme is Thank you for your support in bringing your child to school under imperative. If your child needs support in doing this please let us the awful travel conditions last week. There were some know, we are here to help and there will be a member of staff grumblings of ‘Miss, you could have closed the school’ as pupils who is best placed to spend time 1:1 if necessary to help achieve skidded down the main path towards the school building, but all this. Once a revision plan is completed, the next phase is sticking that was forgotten at break time as the field became one gigantic to it! Sometimes easier said than done. Our staff will ensure your snowball arena and fun was had by all. For those less inclined to child has access to revision materials whether this be via FROG, throw snow, we arranged a Best Snowman competition which signposts to other online platforms, revision guides or revision didn’t disappoint: 1st place went to Year 11 pupils Chloe Smith materials they have created to complement class work. We are and Faye Warrington for their small but perfectly formed 5 inch emailing parents of Year 11 pupils weekly ‘Top Tips’ to survive snowman, who was adorned with a top hat and pointed nose. those ‘ but I don’t have homework or revision’ conversations. Runners up included a Harry Potter Snowman, yes, he had Finally, we have another Exams Success Evening on Wednesday glasses and a scarf, and The Snowman and the Snow pig (well, th 20 March, different to the one we held last term, to support some of the Year 7 creators said it was supposed to be a dog but both pupils and parents. You will receive a letter in the next few agreed it looked more like a pig!) – the creativity of our pupils weeks outlining the details of this event. never ceases to amaze. Well done.

Careers Fair – speed dating with a difference Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award – impressive numbers Choosing options can be daunting for Year 9 pupils but in an Weaverham High School has always had an impressive number of effort to make the job slightly easier, we enrolled the support of pupils who sign up for D of E each year – so much so that we are one of the largest affiliated centres in the North West. The trend over 40 professionals from a range of careers to take part in our continues as 130 Year 9 pupils have signed up for the Award– Year 9 Careers Fair. The sports hall and main hall were superb news. I know many are already looking forward to the transformed into an interactive hub of fast-talking Questions and expeditions in the summer term, let’s hope their navigation and Answers as pupils moved from expert to expert in a 2 hour erecting of tents is perfected by May! In the meantime, they are extravaganza. Mr Clarke, our Careers lead had put hours of busy volunteering and learning new skills as well as developing planning into the event and although exhausted, he knew it had their knowledge of First Aid. A number of pupils have chosen all been worthwhile. Many of our visitors commented on how cooking as their new skill and I must say I am reaping the benefit polite and courteous pupils had been throughout the morning, – Zoe Maddock made the most delicious Red Velvet Cream cake albeit somewhat shy to start off with! One visitor said “This is a and asked me to sample it as part of the ‘recording and careers fair with a difference - it has real meaning and evaluation’…..Zoe it was simply delicious! Not sure my waist line substance, your pupils are interacting, asking questions, wanting will welcome this role by the summer term. to know more” A very proud moment. Well done Year 9. Best of luck in choosing your options in the next few weeks.

Weaverham High School, Lime Avenue, Weaverham, CW8 3HT. Tel. 01606 852120 www.weaverhamhighschool.com

Most Able Programme Well done… Our new ‘Most Able Programme’ is now well under way. Our Year 7 and 8 pupils are immersing themselves in various activities and relishing the opportunity to take advantage of new These pupils have achieved 85% or experiences. Our Year 9 pupils are currently preparing comprehensive arguments for the over on their challenging vocabulary proposal, ‘Taking drugs in sports should be legalised’ and ‘Criminal trials should be televised’. and spelling test over a 13-week Their regional debating competitions are fast approaching. In the meantime, Year 10 have period. An impressive total of 32 chosen a wide variety of subject areas they wished to research and delve deeper into for their pupils in year 7 and a massive 64 personal projects. These topics range from Criminology and Forensic Science to Art History. During this crucial time leading up to exams, Year 11 are being asked to attend personalised pupils in year 8. workshops to help them set meaningful targets; they have a visit from Oxford University in Emily Gabbott Holly Roberts March, and alumni pupils are coming in to give some much needed advice and support for the Aaron Court Ruby Slack transition to A-Level. Kyle Garrett Ellis Taylor-

Ben Conway Goulden Student Leadership @ Weaverham High School Amy Gates Thomas Williams At Weaverham High School we recognise the many qualities that Leadership can bring. Many Rowan Miller Will Baskeyfield students already take part in activities that develop and strengthen Leadership skills, however, Lottie Nelms Toby Boot we do want to encourage even more students to take advantage of the opportunities we have Harriet Wishart Ellie Bradshaw on offer. Mollie Stamper - Eli Buzzard Clark Zac Crick We are very proud of how our students will often go the “ extra mile “. Many students already Joel Sutton Will Davis develop their Leadership skills as; Subject Leaders, Sports Ambassadors, Anti Bullying Harry Crook Oliver Evanson Ambassadors and Prefects to name a few. Benedict Clenton Hannah Gunston Elliot McCormack Lucy Hughes The most recent Leadership group I would like to promote are the Community Leaders. I’m Joshua Abbey Hazel Ketchell looking to establish a student group who will work on projects that will support and benefit the Alexander Cenac Zoe Nevett local area. The intention will be to actively plan activities/events and lead on the ideas that come Joshua Bulbeck Grace Parker from the group and ideas that come from the local community. Tabitha Ben Pink Stevenson Jude Roberts Rosie Holmes George Sharp If you are aware of any ideas for a project/activity that you would like the Student Community Amy Anspoks Eliza Shaul Leaders to be involved in please let me know. Caitlin Fonesca Adam Wright [email protected] Caed Litler Charlie Yarwood This is an exciting time for student leadership within the school. I look forward to seeing the James Galt Bailey Price student leaders of today becoming the leaders of the future Kadi Wallace Lydia Roberts Alex Quinn Elias Tallis-Ayub Staff Training – Pivotal Behaviour Tom Halstead Isabel Loader Twilight inset for staff this half term was delivered by the brilliant Pivotal Behaviour team and Summer Moran Imogen Turner focussed on a behaviour management process that rewards everyday excellence. Mr Harris has Bailey Hilson Nathan Martin been developing a new rewards and consequence systems alongside colleagues who opted to Ben Hardy Charlie Lee Elliot Thomas Matthew Hadfield join his Working Party and as a result our new system will be launched with pupils after February Charlie Hughes Mae Ashford half term. Every lesson pupils will be awarded a grade determined by their work ethic and Lily-Mae Little Ben Fisher behaviour. This means that pupils will feel acknowledged for trying their hardest and giving Rebecca Adams Vlad Hriscu their best whilst ensuring they are ready, safe and respectful. Mr Harris will write to parents with Ellie Bennett Aayan Chowdhury more details before the end of term. Keira Blackburn Rowan Greenalgh Noah Bradley Aimee Barnes Samuel Comboy Matthew Clare Morgan Beatrice Dorsch Davenport Headteacher Abigail Edwards Ross Hanley Lewis Fowke Fynnleigh Arnold Maddie Gillett Kelvey Biddle Joseph Glennon Emily Boden School Council— Gardening club report Megan Goodall Harry Rogers Scarlett Gray Maile Duncan- This year the Gardening club has accomplished many things for example; planting new flowers Milly Jackson Curle behind the drama studio which creates a nice, calming atmosphere. Sadly some students picked Jake Lloyd Hamish Shovelton these flowers but with help from the school council this problem was sorted and the beautiful Seren Lloyd Ben Hoole Joshua Lunt Ben Southerton flowers were re-planted. Since then we have had no problems with students damaging new plants. Andrei Nitescu Ryan Clarke The Gardening club has achieved their goals of creating a tranquil environment in our school Jamie Noden community and will continue to do so throughout 2019. Pupils in the Gardening club took the Layla Parks-Smith initiative to write to local stores requesting donations to help with their vision to develop areas Keyon Pemberton Grace Perkes around the school. Northwich B&Q donation gloves, watering cans and seed trays. They have Louis Perry already put these to good use as the seed trays have chives and parsley growing on window sills. Zac Richards Pupils are keeping a record of their planting and growing on the Weaverham High School Twitter Keileigh-Louise feed....take a look. Any further donations would be gratefully received. Riding

Weaverham High School, Lime Avenue, Weaverham, CW8 3HT. Tel. 01606 852120 www.weaverhamhighschool.com

Home-school Teaching and Learning Well done… Dear Parents / Carers, Charlie Hyde, Charlie Bancroft, Jude I am writing to you to invite you to our next meeting of the Home-school Teaching and Lightfoot and Jack England representing in Learning group which will be held during the first week back after half term. This will be the County Rugby team and Sale Sharks the second meeting of the group and we are looking for new members. There is now a academy. group specifically for KS3 parents and a group for KS4 parents as we felt that this was Year 8 Cricket District Champions the best way for us to respond effectively to specific parental questions and concerns. Year 10 boys and 11 boys Basketball District Champions Tuesday 26th February, 4.30-6pm - KS3 Meeting. Wednesday 27th February, 4.30-6pm - KS4 Meeting. Holly Weedall County Champion Cross Country The focus of these meetings will be to explore the steps we have taken as a school since Oliver Simpson selected for Cheshire Cross the last meeting in November, to respond to the issues raised by parents and also to Country provide practical home-based strategies for revision, homework and effective learning in both KS3 and KS4. Year 7 & 8 boys and Year 8 girls Sports Hall athletics teams have won the District If you feel that you would like to attend the meeting on the 26th or 27th February, Sports Hall competition and now go onto please feel free to contact me, also, if you have any questions, do get in touch. I look represent Mid Cheshire in the county final. forward to seeing you on the 26th/27th February. Mrs R Povey School Production – Annie Assistant Headteacher - Teaching and Learning. 5th—7th February 2019 7pm

Tickets will be available on the door Dear Parents / Carers, on a first come basis. Lesson ready - equipment for lessons. At Weaverham High School we are very keen to set the very highest standards for our Year 9 Options Evening pupils and to maximise every minute of every lessons. However, we are becoming increasingly concerned by the number of pupils who are arriving at lessons without the Wednesday 13th February 6.30pm necessary equipment for lessons, especially pens. Therefore, please can I ask you to use the February Half term holiday that is coming up to check that your child is well stocked with the necessary equipment for lessons. We realise that pens do run out very quickly, Thursday 14th February so please can we ask you to check that they have enough pens to keep them going throughout next half term. Own Clothes Day Please can you also ensure that for Maths lessons, they have a pen, pencil, eraser, ruler, £1 Charity Donation in aid of the scientific calculator, protractor and compasses. Romania Trip Many thanks for your support with this. Warm regards, Half Term Closure Mrs Povey School closes for half term at the end of the day on Friday 15th February Assistant Headteacher - Teaching and Learning. and will reopen at 8.30am on Monday 25th February. If your child would like to purchase meals from the canteen please ensure that they have credit on their lunch cards. Lunch cards can be topped up via their online 1st March 2019 payment account, by cash at the cash loaders in school or by cheque made payable to Weaverham High School. Year 11 photos

If you wish to top up your child’s lunch card online please ensure you pay into ‘Lunch Year 8 Parents’ Evening Card Credit’ and not in to the ‘General pre-payment account’. This ‘General pre- payment account’ may be used for saving for future trips and where refunds may be Wednesday 6th March 2018 paid into for future use on other trips and products. 4.00 pm – 8.00 pm

German Exchange arrive Sunday 10th PTA – Craft Fair March until Sunday 17th March This is a Sunday 24th March 11am—3pm. Tables £15. To slight change to the dates on the calendar book a table please email [email protected]. due to flight availability.

Weaverham High School, Lime Avenue, Weaverham, CW8 3HT. Tel. 01606 852120 www.weaverhamhighschool.com