Cylchlythyr y Gwanwyn 2014 Spring Newsletter 2014 Inspection Success - Llwyddiant Yr Arolwg Estyn inspected our school in November 2013. We are As a school, we recognise that our curriculum is delighted to report that Estyn’s overall judgment is thought by many people to be different to that used that Newport High School is good in all aspects. in many schools across Wales. Estyn told us that our curriculum is “flexible and highly responsive to pupils’ “The school provides effective, well-coordinated individual needs” and they were very happy to report support for all pupils in an inspiring and caring that “teachers work successfully in teams to design atmosphere” and teach a curriculum that meets pupils’ needs Estyn 2014 effectively”. The inspection report highlights that in all indicators From start to finish, the Estyn report highlights some and at all key stages performance has improved of the first-class practice we have at Newport High considerably since the last inspection. but there are two quotes in particular that have given Estyn felt that teaching and learning were very good us such enormous pride. Estyn told us ‘this is a fully features of our practice. They told us that students inclusive community where pupils receive equality “have very positive attitudes to learning and this is of access to everything it provides irrespective of evident in their focus, enthusiasm and resilience” their background and ability’ and most importantly they also told us that students “enjoy their lessons, they told us that ‘pupils are proud of their school’. work with concentration and engage purposefully in The inspection report reflects the outstanding work tasks”. and results we are achieving at Newport High. These outcomes would not have been possible without the Estyn were very impressed by the quality of work they strong links between parents, students, staff and saw in lessons: governors and we would like to extend our thanks to “Teachers plan carefully, organise activities well all our partners for their ongoing support. and use appropriate pace to ensure consistently If you would like to read the full report, this can be good progress in learning. They use a wide range of accessed via the school website, on the Estyn website beneficial and often imaginative teaching methods to (www.estyn.gov.uk) or a paper copy is available from stimulate and challenge pupils, and provide good the school on request. opportunities for pupils to reflect on what they learn…teachers provide a highly supportive learning environment” Dysgu • Credu • Cyflawni Learning • Believing • Achieving Dates For Your Dear All – Annwyl Pawb Diary – Dyddiau Am writing skills are the best they possibly Eich Dyddiadur can be. Changes to the curriculum in Wales April 2014 have increased every school’s focus on literacy. In some GCSE examinations 28 - Start of summer term spelling, punctuation and grammar are now assessed. It is therefore May 2014 essential that students taking these exams have the best literacy skills 5 - Bank Holiday – school closed possible so they are able to gain the marks they deserve. We are working 12 - Summer exams begin hard to develop the literacy skills of all learners by building opportunities As we approach the end of the Spring 23 - Break up for half term to use and develop these skills in all Term, we can look back on a very areas of the curriculum as well as successful start to the academic year 26 – 30 - Half term holiday providing some additional support for at Newport High School. In November, target groups of learners. we were visited by Estyn who spent June 2014 Research shows that people with a week examining all aspects of our good literacy skills are likely to be school life. We were delighted with successful at school, have high self- 2 - Back to school the report we received which graded esteem, good health, good jobs and us as good in all aspects of our work. good wages! At Newport High we 5 - Key Stage 3 to 4 Transition Estyn made many wonderful comments believe that literacy is so important Evening about our school and I was very pleased to life long achievement that we have that many of them linked directly to devised our own vision that helps us - Year 6 Transition Evening 19 our school vision and values. focus on the importance of this: 20 - Year 5 & 6 Transition Day At the heart of our school’s vision Newport High School - enriching lives and values is a focus on teaching through writing, reading and oracy and learning. We are committed to 27 - Year 11 Prom developing a culture in which high I was therefore delighted that Estyn quality teaching promotes high quality considered our whole school approach July 2014 learning and where exciting learning to the development of literacy skills opportunities take place across the to be another strong feature of our 7 - Sports Day entire school. Exciting lessons and practice and one that will help us learning opportunities were very much further improve our GCSE results in 7-11 - Year 10 Work Experience in evidence on our recent Curriculum the years to come. I look forward to Enrichment Day but this event also sharing this success with you. 14-18 - Year 12 Work Experience provided an opportunity for us to focus on further developing our learners’ With very best wishes 18 - End of term literacy skills. As a school, we need Karyn Keane to ensure our students’ reading and Staff Studying Hard – Staff yn Astudio Fifteen members of teaching and support staff are currently undertaking the Higher Apprenticeship in Leadership and Management. This training is provided by Portal Training Consultancy and is a flexible learning programme offering benefits to both learners and employers. The qualification is integrated into everyday working life, is flexible to business needs and aims to provide specific knowledge and skills that are vital to job roles. It is a valuable personal development tool for staff and also helps evidence the continuing professional development necessary for achieving the Investors in People standard. Good luck to all those taking part – completing the training will be a fantastic achievement! 2 Getting Fired Up For The Dragon’s Den Curriculum Year 8 and 9 learners are seen here working on a mini enterprise project, working in House teams to plan a Valentine’s Day prom for their year group. Teams were given a budget of £1000 and asked Breakdown Day to nominate a project manager, finance officer, catering expert, entertainments officer and publicity and marketing director. The Learners took part in another fantastic events management challenge was to hold a prom for 200 people which involved promoting the event, arranging entertainment for Curriculum Enrichment Day in early February. the evening, preparing a suitable menu, organising the venue and Year 7 enjoyed a day split between the Science managing their budget effectively. The teams also had to prepare a and PE departments, Years 8 & 9 took part in Dragon’s Den style pitch to sell their concept to the judges. a Young Apprentice day, Years 10 & 11 studied Learners’ oracy, numeracy and communication skills were truly put their option subjects and Post 16 students to the test; nonetheless, the quality of the proposals was fantastic made progress towards their Welsh and learners showed outstanding team spirit. Baccalaureate qualification. Everyone worked extremely hard and along with making significant progress in their learning, managed to have lots of fun too. Thanks to all the staff who put so much effort into planning and organising the day and to the learners who threw themselves into all the activities with such enthusiasm. Here are some examples of the activities that went on during this brilliant day. Hearts Get Pumping! Year 7 Learners Breathe Year 7 students were involved in fun physical activities based around an investigation into cardiovascular responses to exercise. On Easy arrival in their PE session, they recorded their resting heart rate and During their time in the Science department, learners were discussed what factors contribute to different rates. The learners involved in a series of activities related to the respiratory and then rotated around three activities - basketball, dance mats and circulatory systems. Working in groups, they learnt about the team building - and recorded their heart rates at the end of each structure and functions of the respiratory system and investigated activity. At the end of the session, the learners established that heart their own breathing to work out what happens inside the body rates increased the least with the team building activities and the when we inhale and exhale. Learners then had the chance to get most in basketball where there was very little rest time and the up close to (and even touch!) a cow’s lungs and windpipe and intensity level of activity was high. some were brave enough to pump up the lungs to see how they inflate when we breathe! They also studied the heart and blood All of the data collected will now be passed on to the Science and vessels to discover how the heart and lungs work to make energy Maths departments where they will complete further analysis and for exercise, followed by carrying out some heart dissections. produce graphs to display the data. Their session was completed by guessing the heart rate of different animals and taking part in a quiz based on all the activities. Everyone had a great day and really got their heart pumping! 3 Picture Perfect - Llun Perffaith Our GCSE and A level Photography students braved the stormy February weather to spend the day in the city of Bristol. They took exam preparation photographs in two major museums and art galleries, followed by a walking photo tour around the city centre and waterside.