UPTON VOICE Upton-by- High School Newsletter

May 2014 Headteacher: Mrs P.E. Dixon

Volume 2, Issue 5 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AT THE DOUBLE

Our amazing Year 10 girls’ badminton team stole the show at the Center

Contents Parcs National Schools Championships.

BADMINTON CHAMPIONS 1 After fighting off strong competition from eight other schools, we were FAIRTRADE 2 crowned national champions in the years 10 and 11 girls’ category.

ATTENDANCE 2 The finals, which took place at Center Parcs Sherwood Forest, saw our team, SKI TRIP AWARD 3 made up of Bethany Newis, Alex Goodwin, Laura Williams and Rachel Barrett, beat Wallington High School for Girls from Surrey and Bournemouth Collegiate ANTI BULLYING AWARD 3 from Hampshire in the final round to win the championships.

USA BOUND 3 The National Schools Championships trophy was awarded to the champions by SCIENCE CLUB 4 Commonwealth silver medalist Anthony Clark, current reigning English National Champion Sarah Walker and 2013 European Championships Bronze OXFAM YOUTH GROUP 4 medalist Andy Ellis. YOUTH PARLIAMENT 5

YOUNG CARER’S AWARD 5 Bethany Newis, part of the Upton-by-Chester High School team said: “We are speechless! It was really tough in the earlier rounds but we are a strong team LOOKBACK-CHARITY WEEK 6-12 who work well together and we are so proud to have won.”

MUSIC EXAMS 13 Mrs Collinson, Team Manager, said, “It’s an unbelievable result for the girls. YOUTH LEADER 13 We won this competition last year in the years 7, 8 and 9 age category so for them to step up and compete in the next age group is absolutely fantastic. BOOK QUIZ 13 “It’s a credit to the girls and the support from their parents. A big thank you FOOTBALL 14 also to Mrs Lynch who normally comes with the team but unfortunately couldn’t on this occasion. We are all very proud of them.” FAIRTRADE DISTRIBUTION 15

MAATHAI PROJECT 16 Anthony Clark, Commonwealth silver medalist said: I’d like to extend my congratulations to Upton-by-Chester High School for their great performance. OGDEN TRUST 17 To win a national title two years running is an incredible achievement. SURVIVOR’S VISIT 18 However, the girls are all eligible for the same age group next year and will have the chance to defend their title in an unprecedented ‘three-peat’.

Forthcoming

Events  School closes for half-term on

Friday 23rd May [Also Green Day]  School re-opens for the final half- term on Mon 2nd June [Week 2]  Summer Open Evening Wednesday 25th June 6-8.30pm

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A visit from the Guilden Sutton Fairtrade fairies… Highest Form

Mrs Jenkins-Campbell has kindly submitted the following report: attendance

We had some visitors to our Fairtrade hut recently. They were the Fairtrade From Easter until nd fairies from Guilden Sutton Primary School - Alice, Jess and Holly. 22 May 2014 We got to know the girls from our mutual links with Fairtrade. Just before

1st Christmas we ordered for them some Fairtrade goods to sell at their 11X2WO Christmas Fair so that they could start up a Fairtrade hut of their own. We Mr Langton’s Form have emailed each other on a number of occasions through their teacher 99.5% Mrs. Docherty so it was really nice to meet them face to face. When they arrived at the school they were very excited and very keen to serve in our 2nd hut. They soon spotted the banana suit we had used during Fairtrade 11X3YU fortnight and were all keen to try it on and have their photo taken in it! Miss Seery’s Form They all helped set the hut up for break time and spotted a few things they 99.0% did not have in their shop so they made a note to add to their order next

3rd= time.

9Y3MA Mr Eunson’s Form The girls served very efficiently and worked well as a team. They said it was a lot busier than they were expecting and students were surprised to see our 98.9 % 3rd= new members of staff! But all were very polite. I really think the girls enjoyed themselves, at the end of the break each received a chocolate bar 11X1SU Ms George’s Form as a thank you and a tradecraft pin for them to keep! They were a pleasure to have and I look forward to seeing them again to help and support them on 98.9 % their Fairtrade journey.

Friday 14th we: Alice B, Holly L and Jessica - otherwise known as "The Fairtrade Fairies"- visited Upton High School to help sell some produce and to see what they actually sell. It was a fantastic day; we really enjoyed ourselves. Alice B enjoyed everything: selling, putting the banana suit on and lots more! Holly L enjoyed: selling all the produce and seeing all the people willing to buy Fairtrade food! Jessica P enjoyed: seeing all the different ways Upton - By - Chester High School raise money for Fairtrade also I enjoyed wearing Mr Keegan's banana suit! Great to hear from you girls and glad you enjoyed your visit.

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Ski Trip 2014- Mike Lewin Award Upton Voice is pleased to report on one of the outcomes of our recent, highly successful ski- trip.

Lewis Franks was recently presented with the

Mike Lewin Award in recognition of his enthusiasm and participation on the recent ski trip to Pila, Italy.

The Mike Lewin Award is highly prestigious as it commemorates a much-missed former student who lost his life in an accident in The

Alps in 2005. He was only 23 years old.

Lewis had a fantastic time and entered into the spirit of the trip, looking out for other students, taking part in karaoke and he made amazing progress on the slopes too. Well done

Lewis.

Next year's trip to Pila runs during February half term and letters with details are available from Mrs Mitchell in CES.

Princess Award for Anti-Bullying

Latoya Lythgoe [10X5SU] has been awarded a National Award from Prime Minister, David Cameron for her outstanding contribution to Anti Bullying campaigns.

The Princess Award for Anti-Bullying is only given to a handful of young people across the country and the judging process is rigorous! Latoya was considered by three judging panels before receiving this prestigious award.

Latoya spends a great deal of time mentoring younger students at Upton. She is always happy to listen and offer sound and caring advice to students who are having a difficult time. Latoya is a founding member of our ‘Sister’s Club’, she devotes one evening a month to the club, helping female students with craft projects and helping to raise their self-esteem. IRP teacher, Mrs Smith has described Latoya as an outstanding young person, ‘Latoya is a friendly and caring girl. She has overcome her own issues with bullying and used her own experience to help and comfort younger students. I am so proud of her!’

USA Bound …

Upton by Chester High School pupil Jac Newis has been recruited to play tennis in America for Indiana University.

Jac, who began playing tennis when he was 5 and has represented at all junior levels, will be studying Business Management

for the four years of his scholarship. He has been competing nationally for seven years and is coached by the LTA’s Andy Wilkinson. Jac had a number of offers from American Universities before deciding to join the university based in Indianapolis.

Year 7 Science Club mystery

Year 7 Science Club has many keen members and recently the students were taking part in a dissection. To the left you can see an image that was captured. How many readers have any idea what part of which creature this is?

Can you also work out how the photo was taken?

The answer will appear later in the Voice.

Oxfam Youth Group

Pictured below are Year 10 student members of the Oxfam Youth Group: Rachel Ferguson, Bethany Newis, Laura Williams,

Juliana Christianson, Rebecca Clough.

Our school continues to support Oxfam through fundraising and campaigns. Regular readers will

know that we have longstanding links with this important charity.

Our student-led Oxfam Youth Group works with Oxfam to try to make conditions for people living

in poverty better. Its latest initiative is to collect unwanted books to be sold in Oxfam shops.

Inside the book is a message from each student who has donated thanking the customer for

supporting the cause. The ‘Message in a book Campaign’ helps raise awareness and shows just

how much our young people care.

The group is now looking forward to starting on its next campaign, ‘Send my friend to school!’

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Youth Parliament elections

We are delighted to say that one of our Year 10 students has been elected as one of Cheshire West’s Members of Youth Parliament until February 2016. Members of Youth Parliament have the opportunity to use their voice to bring about social change. They sit on council committees, participate in consultations, and represent the views of young people on issues which

affect residents. Alias Buchanan, 15, was one of two candidates who polled the most votes when young people across the borough voted. Alias said: “I am very proud to be elected and would like to thank everyone who voted for me. I am looking forward to being a voice for my peers.” Congratulations also to Alias’ fellow Year 10 students Elinor Gray, 15, who also contested the Cheshire West seats, and Stella Dixon, 14, and Rebecca Clough, 15, who are youth members of the scrutiny committee.

Mrs Dixon commented: “I am so proud of both Alias and Elinor for standing for election, and to win one of the seats is a great achievement. It will be an inspiration for the rest of our students in school.”

Year 11 Luke Ramsay receives GOLD Young Leader in Service Award

Here [right] is a photo of Luke receiving an award from the Mayor of Chester. The presentation was at on the day after Luke's 16th birthday. Luke received the GOLD Young Leader in Service Award.

He received this for help with his dad's disability and we are so impressed by Luke’s ability to stay cheerful and to cope so well. He is an admirable young man and his family and all at our school are so proud of this well- merited achievement.

Well done Luke.

@uptonvoice

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

Every year, the whole of Upton-by-Chester High School joins the Sixth Form in Charity Week, in which the Sixth Form encourage the school to raise and donate as much money as possible for a chosen charity while the Sixth Form organise events, spend a day in creative costumes and encourage the teachers to embarrass themselves in front of students to raise money. This year, the charity chosen was North West Cancer Research, a charity put forward by Sixth Form student Jonny Manning, and voted for by the Sixth Form students. The following is from Jonny:

“1 in 3 people will be affected by cancer at some point in their lives meaning that almost, if not, everyone in the school will know of someone who has been affected by cancer at some point in

their lives.

My family is one of the many families out there which has been touched by cancer at some point

which has led to the loss of several family members including a parent. Northwest Cancer

Research has worked very closely with my family in order to raise money that will be used to prevent, and eventually stop, other families being affected as we and many other families were. The money that has been raised together as a school will help this charity make this idea a reality.”

This year the Sixth Form aimed to raise £6,000 after Charity Week 2013 raised £5,525 for the Alzheimer’s Society. A Facebook and Twitter account was set up to ensure that students were updated on upcoming events and could see pictures of activities during the week. A Just Giving page was also set up, and the Charity Committee featured in the Chester Chronicle newspaper. Through all this hard work and generous contributions made by both staff and students, almost a £1,000 over the target was raised. The total for the week reached an amazing £6,800!

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

As a kick start to the week, the Sixth formers paid £1 each to wear onesies with a bit of a twist. Certainly if the onesies didn’t grab enough attention, then it would have been the various bad hair styles worn by some of the students on Monday morning. The vast array of onesies included a range of animals and many different patterns. It really set the tone for the week beginning with great support from students donating left-over dinner money.

A favourite staple of charity week are the cake sales that operate during break and lunch times, and this year the cakes were bigger, better and tastier than ever before. The most popular cake of the week had to go to the famous rocky road made by several students. These cakes were a hit in this year’s charity week, generating a sizeable chunk of the overall total and providing students and teachers with some great cakes.

“I’m doing this for Grandma, Raj the goldfish, and Graham the stick insect” - Mr O’Donnell, The Bake-Off, 2014. This year’s brand new “Upton Bake-Off” was nothing short of an emotional rollercoaster, with tensions high and determination even higher. Each contestant was itching to bake the best cake, and have their name forever engraved in the history of Upton-by-Chester High School. It was all to play for, and each baker brought their own plethora of unique skills to the table: Tara ‘Heston’ Levy, with her scientific and calculated style of baking; Mrs ‘The Head’ Dixon, bringing her power and connections as Head teacher into the mix; Mr. ‘Goldfish’ O’Donnell, harnessing his recent cooking-related losses of loved ones to bake a cake like never before; James ‘Guinness’ Jackson and his apprentice Dan Clarkson, aiming to succeed through rigorous training and some very unconventional ingredients (chilli powder?); Miss ‘007’ Mitchell and her top-secret cupcake recipe; Miss ‘Just Baking’ Suter, keeping her mind firmly off those mocks, and on to cupcakes; and Miss ‘Toast’ Brown, starting from the basics, and working her way up to some more complicated cakes. And don’t forget our fabulous hosts Katie Fozzard and Jonny Manning, always right at the action as soon it happens, and our ruthless judges Miss Sievers and Mr Cadman, the perfect mix between kind and cruel. The bake- off took a roaring start, all of the contestants on the mark before you could say ‘cupcake’ - all were definitely in it to win it, setting out on their arduous cake-baking task. Although strong starting, the bake-off had its fair share of complications, not excluding some cake-dropping and mixture-eating (mostly from Mr. Cadman!). Although, surprisingly for some, at the end of it all we had some great sets of cupcakes as follows; James and Dan’s ‘We Guinness’ cakes, Miss Brown’s ‘Ladybug’ cakes, Tara’s ‘Strawberry Butterfly’ cakes, Mrs Dixon’s ‘Pretty and Pink’ cupcakes, Mr O’ Donnell’s ‘Chocolate and Beetroot’ cakes, Miss Mitchell’s ‘Raspberry Delight’ cupcakes and Miss Suter’s ‘Rose’ cakes. All cakes receiving glowing reviews from the judges (well, from Miss Sievers that is) , the decision for the winner was tough, but, in the end, it was Tara and her beautiful butterfly cupcakes, with cream cheese icing and a delicious filling that took home the victory! Hard work was put in by all, and the event was a massive success - the Bake-off video was even booked

for two showings in the hall! The bake-off was an absolute pleasure to watch, and raising a

tremendous amount of money for North West Cancer Research - special thanks to everyone that was

involved!

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

One of the week’s most popular events which took place on the Tuesday and Wednesday Lunch Break was the Staff Karaoke. This event alone raised around £400 each day as students paid 50p watch their teachers sing.

The hall was absolutely packed and there was a great atmosphere as teachers from all departments went on the stage to perform numbers by artists such as Adele and Oasis. Some our teachers such as Mr Casstles and Miss Newman were returning after their fantastic performances from last year’s charity week, but we were also glad to welcome many new faces.

Throughout the event, various degrees of musical talent were displayed (Miss Hewitt and Mr Wilson in particular!) and many made the effort to come in costume. It was great to see such a high level of involvement from both the staff and students to raise a fantastic amount of money in such an entertaining way for NWCR.

CHARITY FOOTBALL MATCH REPORT

Considering the poor weather prior to match day, we were incredibly fortunate that it stayed relatively warm and dry during the course of the game. The event had been advertised across the school through posters and word-of-mouth. This showed as just over 100 came along to support the staff and 6th form pupils taking part.

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

After both teams had done a thorough warm-up, they were primed and ready to go. All the action happened in the first half of the game. 10 minutes into the game, Matthew Wood put the 6th formers in front with a sublime effort putting past the keeper, Mr. Jones. Not too long after their first goal, Ben Roycroft came from left back on an overlapping run to finish tidily into the bottom corner to make it 2-0 to the students.

At this point the staff looked down and out. With no threat going forward, to the surprise of many they managed to get a penalty when a defence cutting pass was put through to Mr. Walwyn, who was controversially tripped by Matthew Craig, to the delight of the on looking crowd. Mr O’Donnell stepped up to take on Marc Pier Rons between the sticks and failed to convert the penalty, however, slotted in the rebound with ease to put the staff back into the game, 2-1 the score at the halfway point.

The second half produced a lacklustre performance from both sides and the game finished 2-1, the pupils having the bragging rights for another year. Thank you to everyone involved from the teachers and pupils all the way through to the spectators!

This year’s Showcase event was ‘Let’s Dance’ and raised over £1,300 for North West Cancer Research. A variety of numbers were performed, ranging from ‘feel good’ Abba and Grease to the more serious Riverdance. Many lunch breaks were spent by both students and teachers in rehearsal to make sure all numbers were up to scratch.

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

An excellent Time-Warp was performed by Mr Casstles , summed up harshly by judge Mr O’Donnell as ‘More horror than rocky!’ There was also the very technical River Dance, which included last year’s winners Mrs Smale and Mr Kane, choreographed by our very own competitive Irish Dancer Becky Pentith.

We saw a lovely ‘Weather Girls’ performance by Miss Main and Miss Brown who made full use of their umbrella props and confetti . The final dance, ‘Time of our Life’ duet, included Mr Wilson who certainly looked like he was having the time of his life! It even included the impressive Dirty Dancing lift!

But let’s not forget the winning Fresh Prince and Harlem Shake Remix performed by Mr Medland and his upper sixth PE boys. This dance won by a landslide in the public vote, well done guys! And a big thank you to everyone who got involved.

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

An event that was carried on from last year’s charity week because of its roaring success was the coin collecting competition. It was a challenge set between forms and halls to see who could collect the most loose change in 2 litre empty bottles during charity week. Similar to last year, it did not disappoint, raising a staggering grand total of around £660 solely from low value coins- it just goes to show how it can build up to surprising levels.

Mr Eunson’s Year Nine’s were the winning form, raising a massive £96! This was a considerable chunk of the total money raised, so a big thank you and congratulations to all students who took part. The bar has certainly been set high for next year! A further show of appreciation needs to go to all the sixth formers who helped counting the copious amount of coins!

To end Charity Week, the whole of the sixth form took part in a fancy dress day. The occasion is always a firm favourite and raises a lot of money every year. Whether they were dressed as penguins, cupcakes or Miley Cyrus, the entire two year groups all looked amazing and managed to push the total money raised over the £6,000 mark, which was the target after last year's phenomenal £5,525. Even some teachers joined the fun with Head of Sixth Form, Miss Brown and Mr Casstles, both dressing up for the cause. The lower school also donated in order to wear their own clothes, which added a great amount to the total. They also gave lots of change to sixth formers, who braced the cold in their costumes in order to go around school with charity buckets and take donations. Overall, the day was a massive success and an excellent way to end an amazing Charity Week. Let's hope next year's sixth formers can do even better.

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Charity Week 2014- looking back, with reflections by students in their own words…

Many thanks to all who helped to make Charity Week such a resounding success, and thanks to Ryan Goulding, William Ellis, Georgia Robson, Beckie Corner, Luke Hitchman, Jess Taker, Rowan McDonald and Ellie Andrews, all of whom contributed to the reflections on the week you have been reading. Charity Week 2015 has the potential to be just as good if new people take over the reins and throw the mselves into the challenge with as much gusto, ingenuity and determination as the class of 2014. This year’s effort was schoolwide and magnificent, and it brings the greatest credit on everyone who helped in any way. Well done everyone!

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Stars of music exams… Isaac Green…

Congratulations to Isaac Green on his Congratulations ! nomination as a Sport Cheshire Young Volunteer of the Year. Music examination successes ‘Isaac is a newly qualified handball coach Cecile Armitage – Clarinet Grade 5 with MERIT who has helped to maintain the presence of the sport at Upton High School as well Rebecca Barker – Clarinet Grade 5 with DISTINCTION as supporting the transition of young boys Matthew Clough – Clarinet Grade 5 with MERIT and girls into club handball in his position Aileen Cook – Flute Grade 4 PASS as Assistant Junior Coach at Deva Handball David Creeth – Saxophone Grade 5 PASS Club, culminating over 200 voluntary hours Christopher Graham – Saxophone Grade 6 with MERIT between club and school activities. Isaac Laurence Noble – Flute Grade 4 with MERIT also plays a big part in the North West Junior Handball Leagues by coaching Hannah Woodman – Clarinet Grade 3 with MERIT teams, officiating games and coordinating the preparation using his leadership qualities.’ We say this is well-deserved Book Quiz… recognition of an exceptional young man.

Our school is currently taking part in a regional book quiz. The quiz is designed to foster an interest in, and enthusiasm for reading in pupils in Years 7 and 8, and to focus attention on the school library, and its role in developing literacy. This year our school is represented by four Year 8 pupils: Laura Broster (8x2ma); Jessica Cain Kelly (8x4wo); Matthew Clough (8y2wo); and Patrick Slaughter (8y3su). Our first reserve is Sophie Mortimer (8x4wo).

There are 6 rounds from January to May, with the highest scoring schools in Cheshire competing for the Cup in the summer term. Each round of the quiz comprises 20 questions: 10 relate to a specific set book, and 10 are general book related questions. This photo shows our team doing some last minute revision on “Wonder” by R. J. Palacio, before competing in Round 3. Special thanks to Mrs. Johns in the English Department for also reading the set books and helping the team with revision sessions before each round.

Hopefully we will make the final in the summer!

Mr. Ryan-- Learning Hub

Science Club- answers to the questions posed on page 2.

The image is of a squid beak [magnified x 40]

The photo was taken by placing the IPad next to the eyepiece of a microscope and capturing the image, a great use of this technology.

It is estimated it would take a giant squid only 30 seconds to shred a human to the bones!

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FOOTBALL REPORT…

In terms of trophies won, it has been our best ever football season. We have won Chester and District Cups in three age groups on several occasions. This year we won an unprecedented four trophies. Year 7 played in a tense and exciting final that went to extra-time. Dan Goodchild opened the scoring for us before Jack Sconce got the winner-a power-packed thunderbolt that trickled over the line and didn’t actually reach the back of the net- to seal a very good win. Year 8 had opposition from a useful Bishop Heber team. Our boys are much-improved this year and physically stronger. We produced a fluent performance to win 6-1 with goals from James Lally [2], Callum Edwards [2], Halim Senturk, and an O.G. Year 10 is a year that features several outstanding school teams, so to win in this age group is quite an achievement. Our final was another against local rivals Christleton and we came out on top by a score of 2-1 with Harry Pickering and Aiden Roxburgh notching the goals. The Year 11 team has had quite a year, making substantial progress in national and county cups before finally winning the C&D cup. Mr McFadden has been manager throughout the team’s time in school and is always full of praise for the team, for the great attitude and good-natured bonhomie as much as their great results. The team beat 4-3 in the final with a wimming goal in the last seconds of the game sealing the win. At Sixth Form level we were narrowly defeated by Christleton 2-1 after extra time. It has been a good season of several notable wins on the way to the last 8 of the Cheshire Cup. We send our best wishes to two Year 13 players who are about to pursue a future in football. Liam Blake has signed a professional contract with Chester F.C., and Luke Hitchman will play for the University of Kentucky on a football scholarship. Talented sportspeople is a theme that is often revisited in Upton Voice.

Members of the Fairtrade team recently delivered our first FAIRTRADE Fairtrade food hamper (4 boxes) to Orchard Manor care home DISTRIBUTION (90 residents) in Acres Lane, Upton. The hamper was made up of donations from our students during Fairtrade Fortnight. It consisted of 23 boxes of tea, 12 tubs of hot chocolate, 5 bags of sugar, 4 packets of biscuits, 8 jars of coffee, 10 multipacks of Kit Kat, 3 bo xes of Maltesers and lots of Cadbury’s Dairy Milk and various other brands of Fairtrade chocolate bars.

The boxes were decorated with posters and PowerPoints students had produced about Fairtrade in their lessons. Lesley Catt, activities co-ordinator and Joanne, staff at the home took delivery of our hamper. They said they were very impressed at how much our students had collected and that Wealstone care home residents and manager Susan Dutton and the residents will be amazed and enjoy all these treats. Mrs Jenkins-Campbell.

We then visited Wealstone care home, Upton, where we gave another hamper over to Susan Dutton, manager . Residents were excited with the amount the students had kindly donated and were looking forward to the chocolate. W e were then off to Kingscourt care home in Newton Lane, Upton. Simone Novak, activities co- ordinator and manager, Gaynor Mulraey, were pleased to receive yet another of our hamper donations and the residents were delighted to know our students cared.

Kingscourt care home manager, Gaynor Mulraey , Simone Novak(green)-activities co- Mrs Hewitt pictured with Adele Elliott, activities co-ordinator, chef, ordinator, Joanna Main-carer, Alan Clarke- Tony Rae with resident, Mandy Frazer at Pinetum care home resident with Mrs Hewitt.

Our next hamper was delivered to Pinetum care home, near to the Countess of Chester hospital. Adele Elliott, activities co-ordinator and chef, Tony Rae with resident, Mandy Frazer were happy to receive our Fairtrade boxes of food. The residents were thankful to the students as they watched the boxes being unpacked. We also handed over boxes of Fairtrade food, with the same amount of tea and coffee etc in as above, to the local food bank via our 6th formers - Katie

Fozzard and Rebecca Hurst, in the hub on Friday break-time. They said they were very grateful and said to thank our students and parents for their support.

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MAATHAI COMMUNITY PROJECT AT GUILDEN SUTTON PRIMARY SCHOOL

Upton Voice was delighted to receive this report from Year 9 student Jack Gooding. Jack is one of a small band of committed students whose work in the community, completed in adverse weather conditions, was a huge credit to all concerned.

On the Friday 28 th March, a small group of students (Jack, Josh, Max, Heather and myself) went to Guilden Sutton Primary. Our task was to help clear, prepare and build a vegetable garden for the school to use. We didn’t know what to expect, we only hoped that the weather stayed in our favour. It didn’t. Around a quarter of the way into our first day of work there, it started to thunder, and then came the rain. It was like being in an open air aquarium; the rain just kept coming and coming. It didn’t put us off though. We went out in the rain and kept digging. The only problems we had to face were catching colds and sinking into the mud. On that first day we had the help of a few adults and a digger, so we made good progress. We cleared the area of most of its bushes and large roots. By the end of the day we had cleared most of what we needed to clear ready for the Saturday.

On Saturday, the progress was not as good, there were only two of us (Josh and I) and of course Mr Wearden and Mrs Risi. We were soon joined by some of the adults from the previous day.

We started working on flattening the area, turning over the soil and loading the waste material onto a skip. It was hard work but we did get a nice ‘buffet’. However, the doughnuts were short lived!

We still had a lot of work to do, but luckily we were soon joined by Fion, Amy and Ella. Progress began to speed up again. The jobs that we had to do over the next few days were:  Lay down membrane  Pour hardcore on top of the membrane  Flatten the terrain  Assemble the vegetable boxes  Transfer the soil from the bags to the boxes  Flatten the soil

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On Friday the 25th April, we were all waiting for the minibus to arrive at school to take us once again to Guilden Sutton. It was again pouring down with rain. We were given the choice to go home, but we decided to stay, we wanted to see the project through to the end. That is exactly what we did. We gave it a really big push, and managed to finish the project that day. It took nearly a month, but we did it. I have to admit, I enjoyed every minute of it. We had started off with a small plot of grass and bushes, and transformed it into a wonderful vegetable garden for students to enjoy over many years. It is heartening to see the results of all that teamwork and commitment paying such handsome dividends in the finished garden. We congratulate everyone involved in this superb community project.

OGDEN TRUST- PHYSICS NEWS Upton Voice is very grateful for this exciting news about the possibilities offered by a link to the Ogden Trust.

‘Upton-by-Chester High School is now part of the Ogden Trust’s Wirral and Chester Partnership. The Ogden Trust's educational bursaries and grants were first conceived by Peter Ogden during 1998 and launched in 1999. The Trust's aim is to maximise the opportunities available to young people in all parts of the UK's educational system and is now focused on Science, particularly Physics. The Trust supports a range of initiatives, programmes and projects to promote the teaching and learning of Physics.

“I get really fed up with people thinking it is cool not to understand science. People are horrified if you rubbish Shakespeare, but quite proud to admit to not being able to change a plug. But who couldn't love physics? It's all about why we're here. It's about life itself. How could it not be fascinating?” Sir Peter Ogden, founder of The Ogden Trust

Since joining the Trust it has opened the gateway to many exciting enrichment activities for our learners. These include a Year 9 Rocket Workshop and a Year 12 trip to The Leicester Space Centre. The cost of both trips has been massively supplemented by The Odgen Trust and has provided our learners with the opportunity to experience the joy of Physics outside the classroom. Furthermore, it means that any of our Sixth Form pupils who apply to study a Physics-based degree at university level are now eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Ogden Trust. Other benefits of joining the Trust include sending a Year 12 pupil to the LJMU for their week’s work experience placement and nominating another of our Year 12 Physicist for the Young Physicist of the Year Award.

HOLOCAUST SURVIVOR ’S VISIT

Our students had an unforgettable experience listening to the life of Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich during a recent visit.

Working for the Holocaust Education Trust means that Mala is able to share her story with others. She told Year 9 students, sixth formers and staff about her life in Nazi-occupied Poland, how, as a teenager, she survived a ghetto and two infamous concentration camps at Ravensbruck and Bergen Belsen, despite contracting typhus fever whilst at Belsen.

Year 9 student Elizabeth Dearden Williams reflected, “It struck me that Mala didn’t speak with anger or resentment even though she experienced more tragedy and hurt than most people in a lifetime. “Although some people say forgive and forget I think Mala's message is to forgive but never forget. We must remember so these tragedies never happen again and the histories of all the people who lost their lives aren't forgotten.”

The visit was organised by students Tom Chaloner and Molly Pritchard following a trip to Auschwitz. They have also produced a mural for the school reflecting the theme of identity which was presented to Mala on her visit.

Students have followed up the visit by studying the Holocaust in their lessons both in RS and History.

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