Laurence Jackson School A Specialist Sports College WINTER 2016 Headteacher’s‘blog’ the ultimate aim of delivering a world class – DECEMBER 2016 learning environment for present and future generations of LJS students. That dream has now been realised and it has been a privilege to participate in uplifting official openings for both the new building itself and the stunning AGP (Artificial Grass Pitch). The AGP opened in mid-August with the official ceremony taking place on Thursday 3 November – please see the Sports Specialism section of this Newsletter for full details. Autumn Sporting The following day, Friday 4 November, was an iconic day in the long and Achievements distinguished history of LJS, with a full day’s activities arranged to honour the official opening of the new school building. In the morning, over 250 LJS sports teams returned in September We are extremely proud of all of our pupils from partner Primaries joined Y7 with a great start and have already teams, who represent the school so well to experience entertaining literacy Sports Partnership recorded some fantastic results to date. in all their events and we look forward to sessions with internationally renowned Games We currently have our Y9 boys’ Football reporting more success in the future. author Dan Freedman. Every child team reaching the Semi Finals of the involved received a signed copy of his County Cup, with our Y8 team still in latest book, which is about to be turned As we approach the end of the first their respective competition. Our into a CBBC series featuring the hero, Claim your term in our wonderful new building, Netball teams have had some fantastic Jamie Johnston. free school meal... it is worth reflecting on the 11 students, including Matthew S results, with our U14 team in particular transformation LJS has undergone and Matthew D, were involved in the Our school of 2-3 years as we mobilised our energy achieving some amazing scores against I saved more I get a tasty, nutritious gets £hundreds than £350 and meal for free every day extra for every in just a few short years. and tenacity to lobby yet again for Sports Partnership Games across the schools in our area. Our KS4 girls’ hours of time on registered pupil making lunches Tees Valley. They took part in boccia, Hockey team and Y11 Netball teams a new school building to help our volleyball, fencing, goal ball, tennis both won their Redcar & Cleveland students compete in the ultra- and cricket. competitions and our Y11 boys won competitive 21st Century global the Redcar & Cleveland 6-a-side economy. Sadly, co-locations could All students demonstrated Olympic and When Mr Gove, in his wisdom, decided tournament. The Y7 boys’ Football B not be included in the PSBP (Priority Paralympic values and were a credit to LJS. to terminate the BSF (Building Schools Schools Building Programme) and our team won the Redcar & Cleveland for the Future) project over 5 years ago, Tournament. In October, we entered emerging collaboration with Kilton it appeared that the hopes and dreams Thorpe Special School could not reach a number of teams in the Cleveland inner! of another generation of young people fruition but those excellent relationships County Cross Country Finals and our ...and everyone’s a w In the afternoon, dozens of former staff our council about free school meals today. To find out whether you qualify talk to your school or y from Guisborough and East Cleveland developed during the BSF planning Intermediate Girls’ team won, to qualify and Governors joined an all-star cast would be consigned to the file marked phase remain today. for the North of England Finals in ‘junk’. That included the Kilton Thorpe of VIPs including the Lord Lieutenant, November. Six of our Y9 boys community, who were part of our PSBP made it quite clear that, as one Lord Gisborough, Graham Henderson represented the County at Football exciting and creative co-location plan. of the 250 schools with the worst (Ex-Vice Chancellor of Teesside and won the McKinnley Cup, defeating condition surveys nationally, we would University), Tom Blenkinsop MP, Mayor teams from Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, Nothing will ever compensate for that have to move forwards on our own and so of Redcar & Cleveland Councillor Barry Stockton and Darlington. feeling of disappointment, nor the loss began a 3 year magical mystery tour, with Hunt, Deputy Mayor of Guisborough Church Lane, Guisborough TS14 6RD • Tel: 01287 636361 • Fa x: 01287 610309 • w ww.laurencejackson.org ‘Improving Life Chances’ Friends of LJS Update Councillor Dennis Teasdale and James The third special event was a service As well as the new build, the new Stuart-Mills (EFA) NE Regional Lead, to to commemorate our two fallen heroes uniform of green blazers was unveiled in Calendar dates for Term 2 witness a vibrant programme of music in ex-students Chris Maddison and September, which proved popular with and dance including a video link with Richard Turnbull, attended by families students and parents alike, whilst our Term 2 Faye Marsay, star of stage and screen and friends. This took place in the Y11 ‘cashless’ catering system is also Friends of LJS was formerly known as who paid tribute to LJS staff for helping up and running very effectively. JANUARY 2017 the PSA. On moving into the new school to inspire her to make the most of her building, it was decided to re-launch fabulous talent. Inevitably, with any new building we this Committee and change the name. have experienced our fair share of This means that those involved do not The official opening was performed by construction defects and snagging as have to be a member of staff or parent the inimitable Baroness Tanni Grey- we settle into our new surroundings but 3 School reopens at 8.25am to be part of the group. It is hoped that Thompson, who reinforced the vital role I would like to commend students and we can encourage more members of the that education plays in providing staff for their resilience and adaptability FEBRUARY9 2017 Y11 PC2 issued to parents school community to join us and help choices for young people and spoke as the new systems and routines 25 Friends of LJS meeting at 7.00pm raise funds to support the students. glowingly about the students and staff become embedded. As well as a change of name, the of LJS. The opening ceremony was live meetings have changed to Wednesday streamed on our Facebook account The final phase of the project involves evenings from 7pm, once every half term. and has received outstanding feedback. demolishing the old building early 7 Y10 PC2 issued to parents in 2017, which will be emotionally Friends of LJS have raised considerable 9 Y9 Parents’ Evening - 4.00 – 6.30pm Assembly on Remembrance Day, Friday challenging for all of us but when funds by organising raffles and running 11 November, and was also deemed the wonderful landscaping and smart, 9 Y9 Options Convention stalls at the Christmas Fair. to be a great success, with both families effective link road emerges I’m sure extremely grateful that their sons would everyone will reap the benefits. 9 School closes at 3.00pm The 200 Club welcomes new members have a permanent memorial on the The last 12 months have been (£6 per yearly quarter), with monthly 10 PD Day - school closed to students main corridor of the new building. extremely challenging and I would like prize draws of £75, £50 and £25 and This ceremony also had a live feed to personally thank students, staff, 20 School reopens at 8.25am a special draw in the Summer. For more which has had over 5,000 hits – Governors and the wider community information, please contact Mrs Spencer again with extremely positive feedback. for your patience and support. 23MARCH Y92017 1:1 Parent Meetings - 4.00pm onwards ([email protected]). All that remains now in terms of official Have a great Christmas and a healthy, 27 Y9 Diptheria, Tetanus & Polio injections Full details of events are available on openings is the Leisure Centre, which happy,Headteacher prosperous 2017. the school website. will take place in the Spring of 2017 – Friends of LJS always welcome new keep an eye on the local press and 2 Y11 PC3 issued to parents our website for more details. Mr Gavin members - the next meeting will be 7 Y11 Meningitis injections at 7pm on Wednesday 25 January in the school. 8 Friends of LJS meeting at 7.00pm 9 Y11 Parents’ Evening - 4.00 – 6.30pm 13 Y8 PC2 issued to parents 13 Y9 Girls’ HPV injections 16 Y8 Parents’ Evening - 4.00 – 6.30pm 23APRIL Y72017 PC2 issued to parents 30 Y7 Parents’ Evening 4.00 – 6.30pm 4 Spring Concert - 7.00pm 6 School closes at 3.00pm 7 PD Day - school closed to students 6-11 Malaga trip 12-16 Y11 Geography Iceland trip ‘Improving Life Chances’ ‘Improving Life Chances’ SCHOOL EVENTS Old Trafford Visit Enrichment Day Visitors were then able to discover first-hand the extensive range of PiXL ‘Up for Debate’ National During November, a group of Y7 opportunities available in every Y7 students were involved in a day students travelled to Old Trafford to curriculum area. Over 200 students of team building activities with their Final Winners at Eton College watch Manchester United play West Ham volunteered to assist during the form groups. It was the aim of the United in the English Football League evening, either involved in practical day to build positive relationships Cup. For some of the students it was the presentations or acting as guides with both staff and students through first time they had watched a top flight showing visitors around.