The Griffin Issue 24 www.darlandschool.co.uk February 2014
Aspire, Apply, Achieve Ymgeisio, Gweithredu, Cyflawni
A Message from the Headteacher DISCOVERY AT DARLAND
Once again, we have had a very busy half term at Darland and achieved a great deal, despite the awful weather. We have had several trips and visits, but one of my favourite was the visit of the Lab in a Lorry, which the pictures on this page show. Nearly all students in Years 7 and 8 took part in experiments in different sections of the enormous Tardis- like lorry, seeing for themselves the application of science in the real world. Our scientists will once again be in action in March, when all our Year 8 students go to the Catalyst science event in Warrington.
Earlier this term, we received notification that we had been successful in our application to be part of a school improvement twinning project, funded by the Welsh government. Out of a considerable number of applicants (there are only 8 such partnerships in Wales), we were selected to be twinned with Ysgol Bryn Elian, a large and very successful high school in Colwyn Bay. Over the coming months Darland staff, funded by a generous grant from the Welsh government, will work closely with their counterparts in Ysgol Bryn Elian on a number of projects designed to improve both schools.
In January I held a meeting for all parents interested in learning more about the improvement work taking place at Darland in response to the recommendations made by the Estyn team in their visit last year. My senior team and I found the feedback and support from the parents at this event really useful and I resolved to hold a regular meeting at the beginning of each term for all parents interested in finding out more about the progress of our substantial improvement plan, which is now nearing completion. So, a date for your diaries is Wednesday 14th May, at 7pm in the school hall.
DATES FOR THE DIARY Monday 3rd March - School Opens to all students Monday 3rd Tuesday 4th and Wednesday 5th - Year 5 Sci-Tech Day Thursday 6th March - Year 9 Photographs Thursday 6th March - Years 7 & 8 World Book Day Book Swap Friday 7th March - Languages trip to Normandy departs Friday 14th March - Year 11 Mock Interview Day Monday 17th March - Year 7 Parents Evening Wednesday 19th March - An Inspector Calls Theatre Trip Thursday 27th March - School Eisteddfod 9th April - Year 9 Catspaw Theatre 11th April - School Closes for Easter
28th April - Training Day - School closed to students 29th April - School Opens for Summer Term
DARLAND SCOOPS PEACE POSTER COMPETITION
Year 8 Art students have recently entered a competition to design a Peace Poster. This is a County event and Darland students have proven their skills by winning the top spots.
1st place went to Ellie Goodwin 8GL 2nd place to Rebecca Edwards 8IO 3rd place to Ethan Clarke 8IO 4th place to Leanna Holmes 8LL
All 4 went to collect their prizes at an event hosted by the Mayor of Wrexham.
Talented Female Scientists uncover the mysteries of DNA.
On the 14th February a Year 9 all-girls science group visited Glyndŵr University to take part in a workshop aimed at attracting girls into science.
On arrival the twenty eight girls entered a modern lab and eagerly put on their lab coats to be told about the investigation they would be carrying out. The students then stepped into the role of a clinical bacteriologist and used research-grade laboratory equipment to investigate DNA samples from new outbreaks of bacterial disease, comparing them to reference samples. Students used restriction enzyme digests and gel electrophoresis to analyse the DNA samples.
This level of work is not usually undertaken until A-level and beyond and really stretched our year 9 more able girls. A great day was had by all involved with lots of learning and hands on science.
THE DAY THEY PUT HITLER ON TRIAL
A GCSE examiner stands in front of 600 restless, fidgety teenagers and says: "Well now...you have another 125 days and then it will be exam day!" All fidgeting stops and there is a sharp intake of breath into 600 mouths as their sense of urgency is awakened.
School History Scene's half- day programme, Hitler on Trial: A GCSE History Conference, features examiner Josh Brooman. Brooman delivers an exam busting workshop, going through a typical history paper. Each question has two answers and the audience has to decide which one will get the best marks. He discusses the need for a balanced answer, looking at evidence and sources and insists that candidates need to get beyond the basics.
Some of his teaching is like a teacher's daily mantra - "Answer the question! Don't spend half an hour on this section!" - but his audience listens. This is a man who has marked papers, for goodness sake!
Then the School History Scene programme turns to the main event, Hitler's trial. The question is kept simple: Was Hitler solely responsible for bringing about the Second World War? He did not, we are asked to believe, commit suicide in the bunker but was captured by the allies in 1942. Crimes against humanity, we are told, will be the business of another trial at a later date.
A mock trial played out in the manner of a group of interested writers or academics dressing up as Roosevelt, Mussolini and Stalin, among others. The evidence for and against is delivered clearly and convincingly as to whether Hitler was solely responsible. Luke Griffth in year 10 said, "Although I think he had a major part of play in it, there were so many other factors to consider. So I voted Not Guilty."
In what was a dramatic climax with a twist, a man with a gun runs down the aisle, injuring Frankie Jackson. Hitler disappears into the audience, seeking refuge from our own Miss Griffiths. The man takes fire and shoots Hitler, everything is tied up quite neatly.
The performance boosted the confidence of our students. According to Alex Quinn and Matthew Hodson, “It was a really useful revision day. It was like 6 months of history lessons had been condensed into two hours”. SPORTING HIGHLIGHTS
CROSS COUNTRY ROUND UP
Congratulations to Christian Smith and Ashley Williams who were chosen to represent North Wales in the Schools’ National Cross Country Championships at Brecon on Saturday 1st February. In very heavy conditions Christian finished a very close second in the U16 boys race. In fact the finish was so close he was credited with the same finishing time. Ashley finished a creditable 33rd with a time that was not a long way from Christian’s.
On Saturday 15th February Christian ran in the Welsh Cross Country Championships in Llandeilo where he secured a convincing victory to become the Welsh Champion. This now qualifies him for SIAB—International Schools Cross Country which will be held on the 22nd March in Bolton and also the Virgin mini marathon on the 13th April. Well Done Christian!
NEWS FROM THE BADMINTON COURT
Four teams recently entered the Wrexham 5x60 Badminton Tournament for less experienced competitors. All teams finished 2nd in their tournaments and congratulations to Dhruv Bansal who gained a coaching award in badminton.
RAISING THE PROFILE OF WELSH CRICKET
The U13 cricket team have remained unbeaten in the Wrexham Area Indoor league and have proved to contain some very promising players. Of significant note is Ethan Griffiths who recently attended a presentation ceremony at Sofia Gardens in Cardiff where he was presented with his Welsh cap for playing representative cricket for the Wales boys’ U11 team throughout the 2013 season.
Ethan achieved his dream last May in playing for Wales having been selected from an original group of 100 boys from all over Wales, through various trials and numerous miles travelled to Cardiff and back. The selection process was both technical and mentally challenging as they were not only looking at their cricket skills but also their temperament in representing their country both on and off the field. Ethan travelled to many venues including locations such as Taunton, Yorkshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.
Ethan has progressed from club cricket with Llay, to regional cricket with North East Wales and is now playing at the highest standard that can be achieved for boys’ cricket at his age. He is the only boy from the North East Wales region to represent Wales in his age group. He will once again be trialling for Wales this year as he will have to throughout his career having once again been asked back by Cricket Wales.
NETBALL
Congratulations to Rebecca Sharp and Ellen Williams who were chosen for the U16 North East Wales Netball team, as well as Millie Bailey who has been chosen for the U14 team. Whilst competing against Flintshire schools over this half term all netball teams remain unbeaten. We look forward to the upcoming fixtures next term.
GYMNASTICS
We would like to wish Katherine Roberts and Emily Owen of Year 9 and 8 the best of luck in the Urdd Gymnastics Wales Competion which is being held on the 27th and 28th February in Aberystwyth.
POETRY COMPETITION WINNERS
Congratulations to Lewis Czerniak and Henry Park, whose thoughtful poem ‘Train Tracks to Nowhere’ (see below) was the Year 9 category winner in Chester Cathedral’s Holocaust Memorial Day Poetry Competition.
The boys attended a special service at the Cathedral, where they were invited to read the poem aloud. Lewis and Henry were also presented with a hand crafted selection of all the winning poems and a commemorative candle – both of which can be seen in the Main Foyer at Darland where there is a Holocaust Memorial Day display.
Congratulations also to Zara-Louise Owens, who gained a ‘Highly Commended’ for her poem in the Year 10 category (see below).
TRAIN TRACKS TO NOWHERE WHAT HAPPENED TO ME?
Some may say prisoners of their faith. Some may say prisoners of their belief. It was dark, no light came through. Some may say these two thoughts are the same. So cramped and stuffy, But none knew what was at the end of the train. The wooden cart bounced, They died in mass What happened to me? They died in vain But none knew what was at the end of the train Cries of children pierced my ears, Death lingered behind the black gates. “Work will make you free” they were told. People scrambling to get some air, They still died whether young or old. The smell was constant, They took a walk to the showers at Hitler’s gain. What happened to me? But none knew what was at the end of the train. They died in mass The cart stopped. They died in vain Bodies claimed by angels fell to the ground, But none knew what was at the end of the train I stumbled, and fell through the gates. Train tracks across Europe, none gave it a thought. What happened to me? But it was a beginning of an end for the people on board. The train was fast Nazis stood at my face, They died in mass Shoved me into a line. They died in vain All alone, cold, ill, But none knew what was at the end of the train What happened to me?
By Henry Park & Lewis Czerniak By Zara-Louise Owens
Hey! Parents! We need your help to put the FUN into
For a chance to win a £15 itunes voucher submit your entry FUNdraising! to your maths teacher by Monday 10th March. The winner will be selected at random from all correct entries! Good Do you remember in Primary school some great social events put on by the PTA? Not the same in Secondary school as we are all so luck! sadly lose touch, but a few of us (we are a friendly bunch!), meet The Challenge: up on a monthly basis in the Golden Lion, Rossett, which includes a glass of vino or beer, and a chance to meet new friends including One hundred tombola tickets were sold, numbered 1 to the parents of some of the kids your own talk about!
100 at 25p each. Our main focus is to raise FUNds for much needed equipment, activities & vital new school initiatives – we have just FUNded 50% Each ticket which included a ‘5’ won a prize costing 20p of the cost to replace the dilapidated minibus. What a relief to see and each ticket ending in ‘0’ won a prize costing 50p that our kids are now transported safely to activities!
We are always looking for new FUNdraising ideas & welcome new The prize for ticket 50 cost £2.00. members – even if you can just help out at one event in a year for a small time. If enough of us did that we’d be making a fortune How much profit was made? for OUR kid’s school!
Name…………………………………………………………………………………. However, our main objective is to raise FUNds in a way that involves us; the parents & teachers socialising together & getting to know each other without the “having to” and with more of the Form……………… “wanting to”. So if you enjoy a good knees up for a good cause, then please come along to our next meeting at the Golden Lion,
Rossett on 10th March At 7pm. Or call Fiona Jackson on 01978 Answer………………………………………………………………………………. 855773 for further inFUNmation!