Ysgol Uwchradd Casnewydd Newport High School Winter Newsletter 2014 Cylchlythyr Y Gaeaf 2014 Results Day NATO Comes To Newport High – Celebrations! Nato yn dod i Ysgol Uwchradd Casnewydd This year, 81% of our Year 11 The NATO Summit held at the Celtic students achieved 5 A*-C grades Manor in September generated some at GCSE – another exceptional memorable opportunities for our set of results. 37.2% of the year students. We were delighted that Mr. group gained at least 5 GCSEs Tobias Ellwood MP Parliamentary including English and Maths and Under-Secretary (Foreign and we are pleased to see many of Commonwealth Office) could join these students continuing their us at school on the first day of the success as members of our Sixth summit. He was accompanied by Mr. Form. Rory Stewart MP, Mr. Dai Havard MP, Mrs. Madeleine Moon MP, Mr. Andrew Rosindell MP, Mr. Mike Gapes MP, Mr. Some of our sixth form artwork was Nadhim Zahawi MP, Mr. Hugh Bayley selected for display at the Celtic MP, Mr. Paul Flynn MP and Rt Hon Sir Manor during the summit. Megan Menzies Campbell QC MP. Tyler and Lee Williams (Year 13) attended an event with Mr. Hicks where they were introduced to delegates including our Prime Minister, David Cameron. Pictured is Welsh Education Minister Huw Lewis with students and Mrs Keane. Our visitors took part in a full range of activities – question and answer As well as the success gained sessions, speed interviews, an assembly by Year 11, the achievements of and a tour of the school. Each session students in Year 10 were focused on how countries, outstanding. 47% passed the organisations and people can work equivalent of at least 5 GCSEs together to support each other and with a year of their study still raise aspirations. To provide a lasting Also, Year 10 student Vaughan remaining. This included an memory for our students we were amazing 20% of students who Evans was invited by Prince Charles presented with a commemorative to represent students from Newport have already gained C+ grades coin as a souvenir. in English and Maths. High at an evening reception. Vaughan was lucky enough to meet President Barack Obama, Prince Special congratulations must Charles, David Cameron and Chancellor go to the 29 Year 10 students of Germany, Angela Merkel along who achieved A*, A and B with many other politicians and grades in their GCSE English VIP’s. What an amazing experience and Maths exams. for Vaughan! Newport High School Bettws Lane | Bettws | Newport | NP20 7YB Tel: 01633 820 100 | Fax: 01633 820 101 Learning | Believing | Achieving Email: [email protected] Dysgu | Credu | Cyflawni www.newporthigh.co.uk Newport High School Winter Newsletter 2014 02 Ysgol Uwchradd Casnewydd Cylchlythyr Y Gaeaf 2014 03 Dear All - Annwyl Pawb Sector Leading As we approach the end of the Autumn Term, we can look back on a Practice Identified very successful start to the academic year at Newport High School. As usual, it has been extremely busy with many successes including After a successful ESTYN visit in October the some high profile activities during the week of the NATO conference, Community Based Learning within Newport High a very well attended open evening, our annual Awards Evening and the School has been recognised for its sector leading Year 7 House naming ceremony to name but a few. We also have a very practice. This is due to the hard work and commitment busy year ahead. Our usual range of curricular and extra-curricular of all staff and learners involved. Charity News – activities will be taking place but this year, these will be in the context of much educational change nationally. Learners access a personalised curriculum to ensure Newyddion Elusen they are given the opportunity to achieve their full Over the next two terms we will be planning for the introduction of a new ‘made in Wales’ curriculum that potential. Some access extended work placements There was a great opportunity to get a sugar hit in will be introduced in schools from September 2015. This will include new GCSE programmes, a change in the in local nurseries, primary schools and businesses September when staff brought in cakes to sell to way the curriculum is taught and assessed and a much higher profile for the core subjects of English, Maths, while others attend the PEAK work based learning support the Macmillan Coffee Morning event. The Science and the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification than ever before. These national changes are intended programme. This lottery funded scheme provides event was well supported and £200 was raised for to help schools meet the changing needs of young people in the 21st century and the demands of the Welsh fantastic workshops enabling learners to complete the charity. economy. courses in plumbing, carpentry and bicycle repair Thanks to everyone for their contributions. The Welsh Government is retaining GCSEs as the main qualification for Key Stage 4 learners and willcontinue as well as cookery, art and design and PSE. One of to use the established grading structure of A* to G grades. There will, however, be a whole programme of our learners is currently enjoying a hair and beauty Later in the term, our non uniform change to the current courses and the introduction of some new GCSE exams. From September 2015 all Key course at Coleg Gwent and all are working with Maths day held to raise money for Children Stage 4 students will study six core subjects - GCSE English Language, GCSE Mathematics – Numeracy, GCSE and English tutors to ensure success in their GCSE’s in Need was also a real success. Mathematics, the equivalent of 2 GCSE Science courses and the Welsh Baccalaureate Qualification. These next summer. Thank you to everyone who donated - we raised an impressive £928! core subjects will be complemented by optional subjects which again will have a completely new approach. Following the success of the SWEET Programme Over the coming terms, we will arrange meetings and newsletters to ensure you are kept up to date about the last year we continue to move onwards and upwards A special thank you to our school council for new curriculum and qualifications framework for Wales. I look forward to sharing this with you. and are anticipating great achievements from all organising this event. learners. With very best wishes Karyn Keane New School Year, New Uniform - Dates for your Diary - Welcome – Croeso Blwyddyn Newydd, Gwisg Ysgol Newydd Dyddiau am eich Our first day of the new term gave us the opportunity to see students wearing Dyddiadur: We are delighted to welcome these new staff to Newport High this their new school uniform. We have received many compliments on their smart term. appearance and the pride with which they are wearing the uniform. The school December 2014 council worked hard consulting with learners, designing the new uniform and 19 End of Autumn term drawing up the uniform code. They should be very proud of their achievements. January 2015 5 Start of Spring term 8-30 GCSE/GCE external examinations Preparing to Learn - 29 Key Stage 4 Pathways Evening February 2015 Paratoi am Ddysgu 4 Curriculum Enrichment Day Pictured are new and returning sixth form students 5 Year 11 English & Maths enjoying a range of induction activities at the start Progress Evening of the new school year. Sessions on offer included an 10 Post 16 Pathways Evening Mr Clayton Mr Mullins Mr Sidoli Ms Barclay engineering challenge, healthy eating and well being 13 INSET Day – school closed Maths Maths Rugby Skills English to students Development talks, a raising awareness session on homelessness, 16 Start of half term CPR training and talks by role models from the 20 End of half term business community. March 2015 Students really enjoyed taking part in this varied 2 Key Stage 3 Eisteddfod programme and we would like to thank all the providers 5 World Book Day who gave up their time so generously and contributed Community Eisteddfod such high quality sessions. 11 Study Skills Conference 19 Year 10 English & Maths Progress Evening 27 End of Spring term Ms Davies Ms Exton Ms Gittings Ms Miller Year 7 TFL Maths Health & Social Science Learning | Believing | Achieving & French Care & Welsh Dysgu | Credu | Cyflawni Newport High School Winter Newsletter 2014 04 Ysgol Uwchradd Casnewydd Cylchlythyr Y Gaeaf 2014 05 Year 7 Consultation Group Naming Ceremony Core Subject We are both members of this consultation group and we represent the voice of all members of Year 7. Our After the hard work of Newsletters – job is to discuss school life and plan for any changes that may be requested. We have had two meetings so far. writing their letters to In the first meeting we completed a wellbeing survey and we found that learners in Year 7 have had a good the ‘Sorting Hat’, all was Cylchlythyr start to high school and enjoy most aspects of the school day. revealed earlier this term In the second we discussed what we would like to in our annual ‘Naming Pynciau Craidd Ceremony’. focus our discussions on this term. As a group we This term we have been working hard to ensure decided homework, bullying and rewards would be During this exciting assembly, learners were told parents and learners are fully informed about our agenda for the next meeting. It is our job now to where the idea of the ‘Naming Ceremony’ came assessment requirements and topics in English, find out what our class thoughts are on these topics. from and watched movie clips to help create Mathematics and Science. These core teams have Miss Allman gave us roles within the group to suspense, anticipation and excitement.