Weatherhead High School WEATHER REPORT A high performing academy providing excellence for allS Springpring TTermerm 2017 Over 120 students were involved in the The Wizard of Oz production, as cast , dancers, musicians, technical crew and front of house. There were robust performances from Year 11 Drama students, with Ruby Tuft starring as Dorothy, Olivia Ord as the Scarecrow, Jenna Harding as the Tin Man and Year 9 student, Erin Thurlow as the Lion. A strong cast together with dazzling costumes and impressive scenery helped bring this much loved musical to life. We were delighted that over £1,600 was raised from the evening which was donated to Age UK, Wirral to support people who suffer with dementia. Chief Executive, Jamie Anderson was delighted to attend the opening night and accept the donation and talk to students about the work of AgeUK. Weatherhead at the Palace! Executive Headteacher, Mr Dyment and Duke of Edinburgh Manager, Mr Owen were delighted to attend a ceremony at St. James’ Palace to receive Weatherhead’s DofE Direct Licence certificate from the Duke of Edinburgh. Following a private tour of the Palace, 16 students received their Gold Award from the Duke and special guest, Olympian and Mr Dyment and Mr Owen meet the Duke Wirralian, Chris Boardman. Ex-students Hannah and Rebecca Thurlow, who volunteer their time to support our DofE programme, were invited to be ushers for the day in recognition of their hard work. This once in a lifetime opportunity involved personally introducing each of our students to the Duke. Congratulations to all the students who received their Gold award and good luck to those students completing the programme this year. To achieve the Gold Award, students: O completed 18 months of volunteering in the local community (at local Brownie groups and charity shops) Olearnt and followed a new skill and undertook a physical activity for 12 months Ocompleted two five day expeditions in the Yorkshire Dales and around Snowdon and as always the weather was variable! Interested in joining Weatherhead’s DofE programme? news Bronze Award is open to students in Year 9. Almost 60 students collected their Bronze awards at Silver Award is available for students in Year 10 and up. the Dof E Awards night in February. Well done to all our students who volunteered, learnt new skills and completed their expeditions (sometimes under Gold Award (for the more adventurous and committed testing conditions). students) is targeted at students aged 16 and over. Having our own licence opens up exciting opportunities for the school to plan their own Bronze Award sessions take place every Tuesday, 3.30pm - 4.30pm whilst Silver programme and expeditions. We have over 25 staff and Gold Award students meet every Monday, 6.00pm - 8.00pm. During the supporting more than 150 students who will be sessions students learn practical skills including map reading and pitching tents. completing their awards this year. DofE award winners 2 SUCCESSES From Rio to Weatherhead North West Sports Council meet Sam Quek Regional Champions Weatherhead’s top gymnasts competed in the regional phase of the Milano Championships. The students’ talent shone, as they gained first place in their mixed trio and girls’ routines on floor and vault, drawing gasps from the crowds as they took their place as regional champions! The students represented the North West, competing against the whole of the UK at Fenton Manner Complex Centre of Excellence, where the GB Gymnasts train. Well done Year 13 students Adam Jones and Laura Clement- Evans, Year 10 students Lauren Ayres, Sarah Clement- Evans and Emma Jones and Year 9 student Ellie Gordon who came 3rd and 14th overall in the whole country! We were delighted to welcome local Olympian Sam Quek, who won gold in Rio as part of the Women’s Hockey team, to our 8th Sports Awards Evening. The ceremony was opened by Sports Captain, Jody Diamond and guests were treated to a performance by the Elite Gymnastics Squad. A record 100 students received recognition for their sporting achievements. Team of the Year was sponsored by local company, Helix Roofing which was won by the U15 Football squad, who have had an excellent season. After handing out the awards, Sam delivered an inspirational speech, detailing her sporting journey from her school days, to her recent Olympic triumph. SSLT with guest speaker Jemma Guerrie Recognising Tumbling to Gold Adam and Ellie tumbled their way to gold when they competed in the North West Tumble and Acrobatics Achievement Championships and reached their second national final Senior Awards Evening celebrated the successes and academic endeavours within 8 days! Competing in the U19s mixed pairs, of our KS4 and KS5 students. The audience enjoyed strong performances their impressive routine saw them record the second from Dance Company, musical solos on piano and trumpet and a poetry highest score of the competition. Adam also competed reading. We were delighted to welcome back ex-student Jemma Guerrie, as in the men’s tumbling, narrowly missing out on gold by guest speaker. Jemma inspired our students with her speech on working hard 0.1 points. Even taking second place, Adam secured a and her abiding message ‘do your best’, ‘be bold’, ‘be curious’. Congratulations place in the final, which both students are looking to to all our award winners. competing in. SUCCESSES 3 FRESH PERSPECTIVES Eleven students are delighted to be displaying their artwork in the Fresh Perspectives exhibition at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Port Sunlight. As one of only four schools on Wirral to exhibit at the event, it is a huge achievement for our students and the Art department. Congratulations to Amber Blair-Keyes, Cody Doran, Ella Griffiths, Chloe Kwok, Emma Leech, Natasha Lopez, Samantha Louloudis, Lisa Ly, Millie McGlasson, Leila Peckham and Megan Walsh - an outstanding achievement. Two students commented, “it is very exciting to see my work displayed in an established gallery like the Lady Lever.” “I am delighted to have been selected to show my work for this exhibition, it The ‘Fresh Perspectives’ exhibition runs until 30th April. Entry is something I will remember for a long is free and the gallery is open daily from 10.00am - 5.00pm. time”. G’rowing from Strength Eight Weatherhead students, from the Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club competed in the Boston Marathon - (a gruelling 50.2 km marathon course) along the River Witham from Lincoln to Boston which they completed in an impressive 4 hours and 20 minutes. In preparation for Music Grades the marathon, the girls trained for 2-3 hours every night after school in addition to their studies and extra-curricular activities. Well done to Congratulations to the following students who Lydia Hignett, Bethan Hoggarth, Abbie Lorimer, Claire McNulty, Katie have passed their Associated Board of the Royal Mann, Grace Myers, Libby Myers and Katrina Woolley. Schools of Music exams: The girls specialise in sculling which involves rowing with two oars each, Grade 1 Lia Birt Violin like Olympic medallist Katherine Grainger. The marathon is just one of (Merit) the many events the girls take part in during the season and their hard Katie Allen Grade 1 Music Theory work and dedication clearly paid off. Our girls also won the Women’s Junior U18 Sprint Championships, at the Hollingsworth Lake Regatta and Amber Gallagher Grade 1 Music Theory the Victor Ludorum and £500 was awarded to LVRC for winning the Michaela Coleman Grade 1 Flute most events in a season. Caitlin Swanick Grade 1 Music Theory Jessica Ngheim Grade 1 Violin What’s in the Box? Year 7 student Megan Scully was delighted to win the ‘What’s in the Box?’ competition. Students who had 100% attendance in the last five weeks of the Autumn term, were entered into a grand draw to win a large gift box containing a mini camera and other gifts. Congratulations Megan! 4 SUCCESSES NCS Champions We are the Champions! Weatherhead has been awarded ‘Champion School Status’ by the National Citizen Service (NCS) for the second year running, which recognises schools with over 45 students graduating from the programme. This year we exceeded the threshold with 119 students graduating -the highest for any UK school. NCS run a 2-4 week personal and social development programme for 15-17 year olds during the school holidays. The programme is a chance for students to come together and achieve amazing things for themselves and the local community. Students must complete three phases: Phase 1: Adventure - a residential trip completing outdoor activities. Phase 2: Skills - connect with their team in a university-style environment to develop life skills. Phase 3: Social Action - in their groups, students deliver their own social action project, taking full responsibility to plan activities, fundraise and make a difference to a local cause. Elisha Tompkins, “the best part about doing NCS is that it increased my confidence”. Katie-Mae Sheard, “our social action project raised money for Clatterbridge and Freshfields. We hosted an afternoon tea and fun day at Tam O’ Shanter’s Urban Farm and raised £1,100”. Erin Heyward, “I developed lots of new skills such as teamwork, communication and my confidence grew. I now have something great to put on to my CV”. For more information about NCS visit www.ncsyes.co.uk You Make Me Feel Like Dancing Well done to our Year 7 dancers who completed their Grade 1 and Year 10 and 12 dancers who completed their Grade 4 NATD Contemporary exams. Their hard work and commitment paid off with an impressive 18 distinctions, 22 merits and 1 pass! Whilst they await their results, the girls have already started working towards their Grade 3 and Grade 6 for summer entry.