Witchcraft and Mathis in Geneva wizardry at LHS Pg. 12 Pg. 4 Lymm Year 12 students went Students enjoyed a to Switzerland to High School special Harry Potter study the applications themed event. of maths in the real FOUNDED c.1592 world. NEWSLETTERISSUE: FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 · WWW.LYMMHIGH.ORG.UK BEST EVER MATHS CHALLENGE Around 100 students in Years 9 and 10 took part in the UKMT Maths Challenge. undreds of thousands of got onto the Kangaroo follow- her being invited to UKMT H pupils from across the UK on round, with Isobel Williams events such as their summer sat the Intermediate Maths in Year 9 being the highest school, which is an incredibly Challenge. Lymm High students scorer of these – well done all! elite opportunity. Rachel did fantastically well, with eight However, the biggest success Greenhalgh, UKMT Executive receiving gold certificates, 24 comes from Zuza Konca, who Director, said: “The Maths silver and 41 bronze. To further got herself into the Year 10, Challenges provide material to this, UK Mathematics Trust Hamilton Olympiad, having provoke students’ mathematical (UKMT) also run two follow-on scored 127 out of 135 (just 1 thinking and test their problem- challenges, which allow the top incorrect answer!). Zuza has solving skills in an accessible yet 8000 students to sit one of the been working towards the challenging way. Many very elite Mathematical Olympiad outside of school and, congratulations to Lymm High Olympiads (around 500 with her narrowly missing out School on their success; it is students per year group). An last year, this is a huge great to see achievement in amazing 11 Lymm High students achievement. It has also led to maths recognised.” 1 LYMM HIGH NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 SCHOOL NEWS A NEW REALITY A letter to parents and carers from Mr Williams. Well, these really are strange Of course, none of us know what is realistic for teachers to times, aren’t they? Sitting at how long it will be before deliver, given that many of home in self-isolation, reading school re-opens and we have them have young children and through all the stories in this to assume it won’t be for a elderly relatives to care for edition of the newsletter has while. We have all been trying themselves and that not all really underlined to me just very hard to adjust to this new have the same technology or how vibrant life at Lymm reality and to ensure that reliability of Wi-Fi connections High School is. Even though students are provided with at home. school is closed, we wanted to plenty of work to keep them I must say that the feedback so share with you the kinds of occupied so that they can far has been overwhelmingly things students have been continue their education as far positive and I want to thank getting up to over the past few as possible. everybody once again for weeks and I’m sure you’ll After speaking to many their understanding and agree when I say that there are parents and carers this week, support; this really has made some really impressive subject leaders, heads of year things a lot easier for us and achievements in here and and senior leaders have been staff have hugely appreciated some very important projects. reflecting on what kinds of the large numbers of you who Very well done to everybody things seem to have worked have been in touch to thank who features this time. best. We are also considering them. 2 LYMM HIGH NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 SCHOOL NEWS We won’t be setting any work for the next two weeks. Our social Although it might not seem like a ‘holiday’ in the usual sense, responsibility we still think it is important everyone tries to switch off from work and I’ll be in touch again after that with a few more messages about home learning. In the meantime, I shall repeat what I said in my most recent update: please try not to worry too much if things haven’t always run smoothly so far when your child has been We have been trying to practise what we preach in terms of the trying to work at home. This importance of social responsibility during the current lockdown. situation was never going to be For example, we have donated safety goggles to medical ideal and there will be times practices and are in discussions about how our 3D printer might when things simply don’t be used to produce protective face masks to protect those work. working in health and social care. We will also remain open throughout the next two weeks for We will continue setting keyworker parents who really need childcare in order to get into various challenges for students work. Spare a thought for the few who have been in school over – look out for these on Show the last couple of weeks too. As you can see from the pictures, My Homework and our social we have tried to keep them engaged whilst practising strict social media accounts. If you haven’t distancing! already seen it, make sure you take a look at the Taskmaster challenges being set by Mr Hayes and Mr Dobson. We have already had some very promising entries and parents are welcome to join in! I hope you enjoy reading the newsletter and wish you all the very best for Easter and the next couple of weeks. Kind regards Gwyn Williams FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 - LYMM HIGH NEWSLETTER 3 SCHOOL NEWS THE MAGIC OF HARRY POTTER “ I A little bit of Hogwarts magic transformed the ILC in February as students and staff celebrated all things Harry Potter to tie in with World Harry Potter Book Night. Excitement grew in the run up to the event and students winning each competition were also when students were encouraged to take part in given Amazon vouchers and Harry Potter themed one of three competitions. They were asked to prizes. design their own Patronus; to create and draw The school canteen offered a special Harry Potter a Magic Potion; or to design a fifth Hogwarts themed menu on the day, including ‘Weasley’s House Crest. Firework Pasta’ and ‘Cockroach Clusters’ to All competition entries were awarded hall points tempt the taste buds! 4 LYMM HIGH NEWSLETTER - FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 SCHOOL NEWS THE MAGIC OF HARRY POTTER Just before lunch time the ILC computer suite was sealed off with a Platform 9¾ curtain wall backdrop. Students were fantastic as they queued patiently despite their excitement whilst they waited for the big reveal. They then flooded into the room, which had been decorated with posters and displays. Over 100 students visited the event during lunch time to take part in the quizzes, competitions and colouring sheets. They also supported the hall charities by enjoying one of the delicious biscuits or cakes from the bring-and-buy bake sale which raised almost £40. Before leaving the event, students were given the chance to have their photos taken in the Harry Potter photo booth – and of course reminded to read or re-read the books from J.K. Rowling’s epic fantasy series! The competition winners were Charlotte Liu (Hogwarts Hall Crest), Cameron Worsley (Magic Potion), and Mariela Pedroso Santamaria (Patronus). Congratulations to everyone who took part for their amazing and creative entries. 5 FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 - LYMM HIGH NEWSLETTER 6 SCHOOL NEWS MAKE TIME TO LOOK AFTER YOURSELVES Advice on how to cope and stay healthy while you’re self-isolating. our emotional wellbeing Here are our top tips: If you feel you are struggling, is essential at Kooth.com is able to provide Y • Do the things you love! challenging times such support at this difficult time. Share them with other as these. It is really important Kooth provides online mental people and tell us what that you look after yourself. health and wellbeing support works for you. This includes eating properly to young people via any • Make a routine, set and drinking plenty of water internet accessible device. It personal goals. when studying. provides an opportunity to • Increase your sense of interact in a supportive way Exercising regularly (in line control. with other young people as with advice about self- well as receive support from a isolation and social distancing) • Above all, stay positive. qualified counsellor. is also vital. There are plenty Be optimistic and of online videos that you can accepting of the To find out more visit use to inspire you with situation. www.Kooth.com activities to maintain fitness without leaving your home. We know that there is so much at the moment that you can’t control and that this must be a very frustrating time for you. But there are some really important things you can control and looking after yourself and your wellbeing needs to be at the top of that list! We need to be aware of how pressured & stressful times can affect our emotional wellbeing and need to look after ourselves more at these times. FEBRUARY/MARCH 2020 - LYMM HIGH NEWSLETTER 7 SCHOOL NEWS DOING OUR BIT FOR CLIMATE CHANGE O n Wednesday 18th March, a group of Eco Council Volunteers joined Richard Sawyer from local group Low Carbon Lymm for the start of the school’s tree planting project. Twenty pupils, undeterred by the inclement weather, grabbed their spades and spent 2 hours planting saplings along the edges of the football fields. The students did fantastically well, planting around 70 trees and even made time for a spot of litter picking too! Thanks to the generosity of the Lymm group, who are donating the saplings, the Eco Council hopes to continue this project when school returns.