Newsletter Spring 2010 Princess Officially Opens Newport High Her Royal Highness Princess Anne officially opened Newport High School on 25th February 2010. The Princess Royal was given a tour of the school and spent time chatting to students and staff, before hearing a performance from the school choir of the Newport High School song. A plaque was unveiled to mark the official opening of the building and Princess Anne said it was a “rare treat” to visit a brand new school. She added: “The key to this school is the people who work here and those of you who come here. Please enjoy the facilities because they will give you a great start in life and satisfaction to residents in the community.” As she left, the Princess was waved off by pupils from Millbrook, Monnow, Malpas Church in Wales, Malpas Court, Malpas Park, Brynglas and Crindau primary schools. Headteacher Mr Schlick said “We were delighted that such a high profile figure as Princess Anne was able to open the school. I was particularly pleased with the level of interaction between the Princess and our students.” Learning • Believing • Achieving Welcome to the Spring Term Newsletter It is always a pleasure to look back at some of the activities and achievements enjoyed by our learners, and this term’s newsletter doesn’t disappoint. The official opening of the school, by HRH Princess Anne, was a particular highlight. I was really impressed by the amount of time the Princess spent talking to our students – an experience they will never forget. We have also hosted a number of visitors who have been to view the facilities and hear about how the school has improved. These included Leighton Andrews, Minister for Education, and Assembly Members Rosemary Butler and John Griffiths. The improvement in our results from 29% in 2007, to 51% last year to what will be over 70% this year is generating interest across Wales. Many parents and students joined us at our options evening in February. This event allowed us to showcase the exciting range of subjects we have on offer to students at Key Stage 4. It was also pleasing to see the number of students across the collaboration at the recent post-16 pathways evening at Rodney Parade. There will be a follow up session at the school for Year 11 students and parents on April 15th 2010 at 4pm. I am delighted to see our students continue to succeed in all areas of their learning and thank you for your continued support. Gary Schlick Headteacher Newport High School New Staff Member My name is Mark Van Ek and I Dates For Your Diary started teaching in school in February of this year, having End of Spring Term.........................26/3/10 mainly taught in colleges before this. I lived in Start of Summer Term.....................12/4/10 Zimbabwe before I moved back to the UK in 1999. I was also educated in Zimbabwe, INSET Day ....................................26/4/10 and there are some big differences between schools in the UK and the Half Term ............................3/5/10-7/5/10 comprehensive school I went to, especially as it was an ex- military boarding school. Since I have lived in Yr 5 & 6 Transition Day ...................18/6/10 Wales I have qualified as a Carpenter Joiner and have worked in the construction industry for a INSET Days .....................24/6/10 & 25/6/10 number of years before moving into teaching. I have also qualified as a Further Education lecturer. I am Year 10 Work Experience .....28/6/10 – 2/7/10 married with two young children aged 2½ and 3mths old. They take up most of my spare time and I do enjoy the time I spend with them. I will be teaching Sports Day .....................................9/7/10 Construction at Newport High and am looking forward to an exciting and interesting career in the End of Summer Term ......................16/7/10 school. INSET Day ....................................19/7/10 2 Hopes for Tolerance and Peace One of our sixth form students, Ryan Mills, was invited to take part in a Holocaust memorial service held at St Woolos cathedral in January. The service was attended by the Right Worshipful the Mayor, Glyn Jarvis, and other local dignitaries and combined readings and music on the themes of peace, tolerance and hope. Many local schools sent representatives and the service raised awareness of the suffering of people around the world who have been victims of discrimination in the past and those still suffering discrimination today. Newport High Learners Visit Ryder Cup Hotel This term, learners who are currently undertaking BTEC Hospitality visited the luxurious Celtic Manor Hotel, located on the edge of the Usk Valley. The purpose of this successful trip was for learners to gain first hand experience of commercial setting, job roles and opportunities, products and services and customer service. The trip was very informative for students as they gained work related experience which will support them in the completion of their assignments. Mrs Paginton English Events Yr 11 Mentoring Students in Year 11 are now receiving extra mentoring sessions to support them on their journey to achieving a C grade or above at GCSE. The initial focus has been on coursework and extensive exam preparation will begin soon. Good luck for your exams! Ty Newydd Two students in Year 12 have been selected to take part in a residential writing course during the last week of term. Ellis Secker and Abby Greenhaf will join fourteen other sixth form students from across Newport on a week long course at Ty Newydd, North Wales where they will receive expert tuition from two published writers. Abby and Ellis, who are both English Literature students, will share their adventures with you in the next school newsletter. Read a Million Words Together Over the past five months, ten boys in Year 7 and 8 have been taking part in the ‘Read a Million Words Together’ project. Working closely with the poet Mike Church and Beano cartoonist Gary Northfield at Malpas library, they were able to develop their writing and performing skills. Two of the Year 7 boys, William Hughes and Cory Oliver, performed their poems at the Riverfront Theatre on Thursday 25th February to a packed crowd. Both boys received a goodie bag and a standing ovation! Congratulations boys on a job well done! Miss Hopkins 3 Newsletter Spring 2010 Bettws High School Equipment Put to Good Use in Uganda In February, Mrs Williams, Mrs Morgan, Mrs Evans, Mr Schlick and Stacey Williams travelled to Uganda to unpack the container of furniture and equipment Bettws High School donated to King’s Primary School. Here is an account of their experiences. I do not think we will ever be able to put into words how much of a life changing experience our trip to Uganda was. There were so many highlights, together with a few harrowing moments. Uganda is so much more than a country with a violent history and crippling poverty. We found a beautiful country, dignified people who made us welcome and a school and staff we are proud to be associated with. Highlights included enrolling another sixty six year olds (including 10 orphans) knowing that without our furniture and equipment this would not have been possible. It was a humbling experience to realise how each and every item placed in the container made such a difference. Sharing the equipment -and particularly books - with other schools in the area and improving the living standards of the staff at the site made months of preparation and stress worthwhile. We are also well on the way to finishing the accommodation block for the staff using some of the additional money raised. There was time for some fun too. We were challenged to a football match and how could we lose? 39 degrees in the shade, with Mrs Williams, Mrs Evans, Stacey Williams and an ex-professional youth player( Mr Schlick!) and Ronald-o playing on our team! The locals had slashed down the long grass to deter the snakes and word had got out what a high performance team we were! Thank goodness the result was a respectable one all. We met many charity workers but were particularly moved by the charity 'Smile Africa', a small charity which supports Kampala's street children. One of the main ways the charity supports itself is by training older children and widows in crafts and we have brought back some of their instruments and a batik which will be on display soon in school. We worked long hours painting and cleaning, braved giant cockroaches and terrifying driving, watched lionesses hunting in the red sunlight of dawn, had our van charged by a warthog, ate goat stew, rode on the back of the Border Border bikes, were invited to a Presidential function, visited where the original Tarzan film was made, overlooked the Congo, and even survived really upsetting a couple of elephants on the banks of the Nile. There were tears when the poverty was overwhelming and the realisation of just how lucky we are. Uganda- we just can't wait to visit you again. Mrs Morgan Village children at the borehole. Stacey and Mrs Williams with some friends. 4 The Headmasters wife’s baby called Mary. We are all filthy after cleaning and painting all day. Party Day — Our chairs being put to good use. Thank you Bethan! The school compound. This is Florence cutting down a large cactus near the More helpers — Our transport, we have fond memories of classrooms as they have become a favourite hiding place some white knuckle rides in this bus and our driver’s for Black Cobra! ‘Mexican Hat Dance’ ring tone! 5 Newsletter Spring 2010 House News Branwen I am looking for students to take over the Branwen Blog, so see me or your TfL if interested.