Welcome and Christmas Wishes from the Head teacher It would appear that 2020 is certainly going to be a year that none of us will ever forget and that will inevitably change all our lives, some for the good, some less so. It certainly wasn’t the year that any of us would have wanted to be commemorating our Golden Anniversary, but I am pleased to be able to share with you that we are now looking to celebrate this towards the end of this academic year. I look forward to sharing our plans with you as we learn more about ‘what’ might be possible in the New Year. It is my sincerest wish that this will provide us all with a positive focus, with which we can end this last year and, perhaps, look forward to a return to much happier times ahead.
A phrase that I find myself saying annually to all those students leaving our Year 11 or Year 13 is…’once a Wales student, always a Wales student’.
One feature of our plans for our golden anniversary which may interest many of you, is the expansion of our Alumni Programme. We want to stay in touch with as many former students as we can, and I hope many of you will want to stay in touch with us.
We are all proud of the way our school functions as a community, especially in tougher times like these. Our 50th Christmas is the perfect opportunity to remind you all to stay in touch, even if your time as a Wales student is over. We want to bring together our alumni, to celebrate the school’s contribution to the lives of thousands of people, and to continue to further improve the life chances of our current students. At the same time as sharing your news and meeting up with old friends, you can really make a difference in the lives of some of our current students; have a look later in this newsletter if you would like to find out more and remember, ‘once a Wales student…always a dragon!’
Since our return in September, it has been fantastic to see our students and the wider school being represented nationally across a number of news programmes. Back in September, the coverage featured the wider re-opening of schools and how we had prepared the site to be safe and welcoming to our students. More recently, the coverage has been geared towards the wider implications of Covid-19 and self-isolation, looking specifically at how the preparation for examinations may be affected. It was fantastic to see our stories being shared and watching our students represent the school as such wonderful ambassadors for all that we are doing. This last week we have been joined by Mishal Hussain from the BBC, who visited us for an update on how our students are ‘coping with Covid’ as we approach the Christmas holidays, and this was shared on ‘The Today Programme’ on BBC Radio 4’.
Last month we were able to create a virtual full school assembly that I hope many of you were able to watch. Despite Covid restrictions, this featured the usual traditions with a welcome from our new Head Boy and Head Girl. We used this assembly to highlight the 50-year anniversary of the school, and then we complimented this by showing a number of photographs from our last 50 years. It concluded, as always, with our two youngest members of Year 7 opening the school year by ringing the school bell. A link to this assembly is on the next page.
We have since completed filming our traditional full school Christmas assembly to share with the students virtually, on what will be the last day of this term. This will, of course, include the customary staff band performance of a Christmas classic, as well as a memorable clip of ‘Mr Wales’ himself, our former Head teacher, John Day. A link to the assembly will be shared with families via email before the end of term.
As we all look forward to finally reaching our festive break and perhaps a long-awaited opportunity to spend some time with our nearest and dearest, I would want to take this moment to wish you all a happy, safe and healthy Christmas holiday.
And remember, for as long as you remember Wales, Wales remembers you. Once Wales… always Wales. A Tree to Represent 50 Years of Growth Mr. Blackwell has made the centre of school very special since the start of December, with a tree to represent everything that is Wales. It started from a seed on the first day of December and grew to a beautifully complex representation of so many aspects of our school and its community, with one new thing being added each day. For example, there is a gift at the bottom to represent each decade the school has been open, pictures around the sides to represent the seasons, and baubles to represent past and present head teachers. Thank you, Mr. Blackwell; it wouldn’t be Christmas without you!
Reflecting on the Past 50 Years As Wales High School celebrates its 50th anniversary, it is natural for us to reflect on bygone times and think about how far the school has travelled on its journey to 2020. Throughout the course of the year, we will be using these bulletins to update you on a variety of ways in which we plan to celebrate with the school community. For now, however, please follow the link below to enjoy our full school assembly, which reflects on exactly that.
50-year full school assembly
Important Notice to All Our next Families Bulletin Families will be sent to you on the 25th January. If your child tests positive for Covid-19 between Thursday 17 December and Wednesday 23 If for any reason, this date changes, we will contact December, having developed symptoms within you. If you would like a reminder of anything that 48 hours of when they were last in school, or in was covered in previous bulletins, they can all be contact with students or staff at WHS, please let found on our school website: the school know via email to [email protected] so that we can All Family WHS Bulletins implement our positive response protocol. Thank you for your support. Reminder: Friday 18th December House Activities this term
A polite reminder that school will be closed tomorrow for This year, with the current situation in school, it has an INSET day. We look forward to welcoming our students been a bit of a challenge to run house events in the back into school on Monday, 4th January. usual way. However, we have managed, and it has been great to see so many Year 7 and 8 students taking part. The football rounders event was won by Rollo, table tennis was won by Mortain and badminton was won jointly by Rollo and Mortain. In the last few weeks, the house staff have been hosting whole year group social areas and it has been great to see so many students coming down to play some basketball, badminton, table tennis, dodgeball and darts. So, the overall scores after this term are Mortain: 10.5 Rollo: 10 Warenne: 5 Busli: 4.5
Thanks again to everyone who has taken part. We are looking forward to appointing Y7 House Captains next term.
Merry Christmas to everyone from the House Team!
LGBTQ+ Support Update This has been a busy term for our Be-U-tiful LGBTQ+ group, despite the challenges of Covid. We have had to find new ways of supporting each other and our Teams group has been a great way of sharing positive stories and sharing important information. We have, however, managed to update our notice board which highlights all of the amazing support that is available in school. Thank you Miss Cooper (Library) for the wonderful background to the display.
In addition to this we have again supported World AIDS Day and the National AIDs trust by encouraging staff and students to #rocktheribbon. By purchasing and wearing and World AIDs Day ribbon we are able to raise awareness of the stigma of living with HIV and AIDs, whilst also knowing that the money we raise goes towards supporting eradicating this stigma and further medical research. It was certainly more difficult to advertise this year: assemblies had to go virtual and we had to make sure students didn’t mix across bubbles. Despite all of this we managed to raise just over £50 for this fantastic cause. Well done and thank you to everyone who has supported us with this.
For more information on the support available in school please contact Miss Vaughan in Geography or speak to any member of staff wearing a rainbow name badge.
Well done to Miss Cloke! …The winner of our festive dress competition this year. She has worn a different festive outfit every day this week; here is one of them!
WHS Writers If you enjoyed Authors' Club last year, then you will love the opportunity to join Wales High Writers! Do you write stories, plays, poems or songs? Are you creative? Do you fancy just giving writing a go? We are calling all young writers from Y7 to Sixth Form. The club will be held online on Teams and there will be weekly writing prompts and challenges! Our work will be shared and celebrated on our own Instagram page and Twitter account! If you are interested, pop by E1 to speak to Miss Robson or email [email protected] to join the club. For now, we wanted to share with you the opening to a fantastic genre piece by Louis B, entitled ‘The Last Hour.’ I am sure you will agree, this is exceptional writing for a student of any age; the fact that Louis is in Y7 makes this even more impressive!
STEM Updates
North Star Science School This term, students attended a 3-day virtual event exploring the STEM opportunities in our local area and beyond. We had a live online lecture from Professor Brian Cox on black holes. We also heard from engineering experts including Dr Rahul Mandal, the winner of the Great British Bake off 2018.
Thousands of people across South Yorkshire submitted photos showing their love for Science and they were used to create an amazing mosaic piece of art which was presented in the virtual event. Click on the link to see if you can find your picture and have a go at the activities found in the big stars:
The People’s Picture – North Star Science School
Students also heard about some fantastic workshops that have been developed in partnership with Rotherham schools and top engineering companies from McLaren, Rolls Royce, SELSE Sheffield and Ibstock Brick who Wales High School were partnered with. We also heard about the fantastic STEM opportunities at Gulliver’s Kingdom which is on the doorstep of our school. We are really proud of the amazing efforts by our students and staff to bring this event together and are looking forward to working on the project again next year.
STEAM Club Students have been working hard at home to complete many amazing tasks as part of our Virtual STEAM Club. We have made invisible ink, bouncy ball eggs (in some cases exploding eggs!), ice cream and many more amazing experiments. Students have been debating key issues in Science and Technology as well as solving riddles and exploring careers. A big well done to everyone who has taken part and if you would like to join, make sure you sign up outside the Science workroom.
25 Days of STEM Family Challenge
Students and families were challenged to complete a series of Christmas STEM activities at home. The submissions were fantastic and the winners will be announced on our Twitter and Instagram pages. @WHS_STEMCLUB
Sixth Form Updates
The Sixth Form have enjoyed a very busy term. They are working well through their subjects and, although there has been some absence, owing to Covid, they have adapted well to blended learning.
We have seen the introduction of the new
Commitment to Learning (CTL) grades, which have been received well by staff and students alike.
‘Profession Progression Friday’ has continued with virtual visits from a range of high profile companies to E-Mentors inform the students of the different routes into Wales High School’s e-mentors are 6th formers who employment. have been trained in mentoring and e-safety skills. We have seen the return of ‘Well-being Wednesday.’ They are in school to support our students with any To relaunch this, students decorated the Sixth Form concerns related to internet safety such as Common Room for Christmas and are involving cyberbullying. themselves in a variety of fundraising activities, for example a Santa Dash. This is proving highly The new e-mentors are normally trained in school in successful, with over £140 already raised for May or June each year. Obviously, that wasn’t possible this year. However, we have managed to Rotherham Hospice. train a new group recently with a combination of All students in Y13 have been offered a ‘well-being’ face-to-face training and remote training using appointment. Teams. The e-mentors are Ellie Docking, Kula Dyson, University and apprenticeship applications are Morgan Ellery, Daniella Peat and Archie Steel. continuing. Many students have already received They are available in school to talk to our students offers with three candidates so far selected for about e-safety issues and can be contacted via email, interview at Oxford/ Cambridge University. Super or look out for them wearing purple badges! Learning Day was dedicated to CVs and UCAS applications for Y13 whilst Y12 were involved in SRE [email protected] and being creative with Rag Challenge events that @WHSementors were ‘Covid safe.’ Wellbeing Newsletter
Owing to Covid restrictions we have been unable to Don’t miss our wellbeing newsletter, packed with hold our annual Open Evening. This has been done inspiring information about what our students have virtually with promotional videos from all done to contribute towards positive mental health qualifications. in the community, and also how to get support if you feel you need it at any time. Please visit the school website to view a sample.
Deadline for internal applications is January 15th Wellbeing Newsletter 2021.
Santa Dash Wales High school students have absolutely smashed the Rotherham Hospice Santa Dash this week in their PE lessons. This year, Rotherham hospice have been unable to do their annual Santa Dash held at Clifton Park due to Covid-19, meaning this amazing charity have struggled for sponsorship. They got in touch with local schools and asked if we would like to participate and help. Obviously, Wales High School stepped up to the challenge and set a target of £1000. This was achieved in day 1 of the races with families being so generous and supporting this fantastic charity. On behalf of the PE department we would like to say a massive thank you to all the students and families who have contributed to making this event such a success.
Farewell to Mrs. Chapman!
It is with heavy hearts that we say goodbye to Mrs. Chapman from the English department at the end of this term. Mrs. Chapman has worked at Wales since February 2005, and, since then, she has inspired so many children with her energy, enthusiasm and passion. She will be remembered and missed for her sharp intelligence, imaginative lessons and cheesy jokes! We wish her well as she moves onto a new career with the Police.
A Message from Teresa Greaves (School Counsellor) To All ,
…Especially the clients who chose to spend their precious time with me over the years.
I recognise and accept sometimes it’s necessary to acknowledge and know you have been heard.
Life is tough, but you are tougher.
Feeling the pain and fear and facing the process of building awareness of yourself and your recovery requires toughness and bravery. Be proud of that.
For this I am thankful and respect you. Take time to do what makes your soul happy.
If you are willing to do only what’s easy, life will be hard, but if you are willing to do what’s hard, life will be easy. – T. Harv Eker
Wales High School’s 50th ‘Merry Christmas!’
Despite Covid restrictions, the staff and students at Wales High
School have embraced the Christmas spirit, coming together
as a school community, enjoying a special Christmas lunch and competing for the best festive
dress! We hope that everyone in our school community has a safe, enjoyable and very well-deserved
break!
Not content with the ordinary Christmas festivities, we decided to ask each tutor group to decorate their door to really get into the festive spirit. We wanted to share the pictures of the winning doors with you. The judges certainly had a hard time choosing! Well done to everyone who contributed.
The Gift of Literacy
At Wales High School, we are passionate advocates of literacy and reading. Last month, Christmas came early for year 7 as every student was able to choose a free ‘BookBuzz’ book. Classrooms were, literally, buzzing with the excitement of choosing a book and sharing it with others! If you would like your child to have access to more reading material, or you would like to discuss their progress in reading in general, please contact their English teacher.
Sora The school has now purchased Sora: an online library where students can download a huge range of books and audiobooks, for free, onto their phones or other devices. There is a range of settings to support individuals with their reading, such as dyslexia-friendly fonts and high contrast settings. All students will receive their logins from their English teachers in the next few weeks. We hope that our students will enjoy the wonderful range of books that they can now borrow on their phones!
Congratulations to Sam Eccles
We would like to congratulate one of our former students, Sam Eccles, in securing a full scholarship with Hofstra University in Long Island, New York, majoring in Chemistry and ‘soccer.’ He is completing a challenging daily routine of both soccer training, and study, and we are very proud of him.
Congratulations to Josh Newbold
Another student who has made us very proud recently is Josh Newbold. Josh has received the High Sheriff Award of South Yorkshire for his community work with the National Citizen Service.
Josh joined the NCS programme and has gone on to become a regional board member for the organisation, which is a tremendous achievement. Well done, Josh!
A HUGE well done from us! Although this term has been unlike any other, one constant for us has been the wonderful work our students have produced. Their enthusiasm, talent and commitment to success is as strong now as ever. We are incredibly proud to be working with these young people and wish them all a restful and happy break.
Matilda F (7.11) wrote a script for Sir David Attenborough to
read on an upcoming programme, highlighting the natural beauty of Antarctica at the start of this term’s
Antarctica topic.
We love the attention to
geographical detail and extended writing skills!
Izzy L
Isaac E G
Paintings by Y7 students based on the artist Michael Craig Martin.
Edward H
Cordelia H
Lucas M (year 7) did a fantastic 2d design to create his shark design USB holder.
Andrey E led a craft club session in the libary demonstrating his oragami skills!
Ryan G
Y8 portraits to Kaela H represent emotion and identity
Demi Leigh
Alyssa R W
Year 7
Shakespeare projects
Year 7 Science projects: creating a model of inner
earth!
Follow this link to Eva and Nerissa’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream playlist!
The songs we chose and why we chose them
Run Away With Me because Hermia And Lycander run away
Married Life because in the end everyone gets married
Black Magic because magic is used in the play
Magic because magic is used in the play
Fairies Of The Forest because there are fairies in the forest
Fight Song because Lycander and Demetrius fight over Hermia
Order because it was a word on the revision sheet
Disorder because it was a word on the revision sheet
Elizabethan Serenade because the play was written in the Elizabethan era
Night Changes because during the night things keep changing
Athens because some of the was set in Athens
Head Full Of Dreams because Titania thinks that falling in love with Bottom was all a dream
Just the way you are because Lycander and Demetrius both love Hermia just the way she is
Forest because some of the play is set in the forest
Perfect because Lycander and Demetrius think that Hermia is Perfect
If The World Was Ending because Hermia is seeing if Lycander truly loves her
Stand By You because Hermia always stand by Lycander
I’ll Be There because Helena will always be there for Hermia
All Night because they are in the forest all night
Satisfied because Hermia knows that her father won’t be satisfied if she marries
Lycander
The Laughing Gnome because Puck is a bit mischievous like a gnome
Heart Broken because Helena is heart broken when she finds out no one loves her Flowers because there are lots in the forest
Girls Like You because Lycander and Demetrius think that there are no other girls like Hermia