Issue 17 May 2012 Olympic Games 27th July - 12th August 2012 Paralympic Games 29th August - 9th September Isabelle Reynolds-Duffy: LIFE IN THE FAST LANE Did you know. .... the London 2012 Olympics opening ceremony will begin with the ringing... of the Editorial biggest bell in Europe which is inscribed with the words It’s hotting up! ‘Be not afeared, the isle is full of noises’ , a line from a speech by Caliban in th Welcome to the 17 issue of High Performance. As Shakespeare’s ‘ I put pen to paper to write this editorial, the sun is The Tempest shining and the puddles on the cricket pitch have ’ reduced in size; maybe summer has finally arrived. be screening “every event from the first thing in the The weather may have recently been a problem, morning to the last thing at night”, offering 2,500 but it has not put a dampener on what has been a hours of sports coverage alone – 1,000 more than fantastic year for sport here at the High School: from Beijing; on this one occasion watching television national success in trampolining and tennis; county may be classed as an athletic activity. trophies in a plethora of sports; mass participation in the Harris House Cup activities; foreign visits and The final page of this issue is written by my friend tournaments and charity fundraising through Sport and mentor, Stuart Dodds, who sadly is moving on Relief, to name but a few highlights. to Sandbach School in the role of deputy head. Mr Dodds has worked hard with passion and drive to put In case you hadn’t heard, there’s a major event sport at Wilmslow on the map; we wish him well and starting in just under 70 days; surprise, surprise, thank him for his huge contribution. I hope that you the Games is the theme that runs through most of enjoy this issue. this issue. The national press recently described the Olympic build-up as being a “slow burner”; that may be the case, though after watching the start of the Mark Vincent torch relay on Saturday, I agree with Lord Coe that the ‘slow burner’ may be just about to change gear PE and sport curriculum team and light a spark of excitement for the Games across leader and High Performance a nation that remains split in its attitude towards it. editor Here at Wilmslow, there will be plenty of opportunities for students to engage with the preparations for the Games and explore the Olympic Mandy Beswick values that tie in so neatly with our own ‘Wilmslow Design and layout Way’. If you are one of the unlucky ones who is not in possession of a ticket, don’t worry: the BBC will The Sports College Journal of Wilmslow High School Winner of the National Innovation Award for Communication (2008 Sports College Conference) 10 Wider aspects of sport. Contents One more good thing about the Olympics ... 11 Simply Inspirational Page Roger Bannister - the four minute mile 4 Headteacher’s thoughts 12 Sporting Profile Notes from Mrs Bremner Mr Jones and Georgia Brown 5 Get Ready for the Games 13 High Performers Wilmslow Olympic Week - WOW Isabelle Reynolds-Duffy 6/7 What do the Olympics mean to you......? 14/15 The Arts James Stannion poses the question. Olympic Superheroes 8/9 What a year in sport! 16 20 years of Sporting History. A celebration in photographs of Good Luck, Mr Dodds! Wilmslow High School’s sporting talent. London 1948 3 Headteacher’s thoughts ......... No Room for Complacency As always we are never short of anything to write, be it in ‘High Performance’ or ‘High News’: 2012 students and 260 staff with lots to say, lots to celebrate. This edition is no exception: without apology the emphasis is on the Olympics with the values and inspiration we will gain from their being the legacy that will go on long beyond the actual games themselves. We have just completed our new School Improvement Plan (SIP) which will frame the school’s WOW development and improvement over the next three years. Steve Munby, Chief Executive of the National College for School Leadership, recently commented ‘These are interesting times and the educational landscape is shifting. We must continue to debate the fundamental issues and, in doing so, constantly challenge ourselves to ensure that every school gives children the best possible start in life’ (Times Educational Supplement March 2012). He’s right but all new governments get bogged down in lists of operational and functional changes, thinking that this will make the difference without remembering that the characteristics that make successful schools have changed little over the last 30 years: The Specialist Schools and Academies Trust summarised these, as others have done before, in a list in 2010: . Strong leadership and an emphasis on the school’s future direction and improvement . Development of life skills: values, responsibility, respect . Strong and positive engagement with students: clear expectations . ‘Outstanding’ teaching supporting students to develop their skills for lifelong learning . A continual focus on improving the quality of teaching: enabling teachers to learn too . Use of data for school and individual improvement . An emphasis on specialism: the school as a centre of excellence to promote achievement . Effective links between school and parents: families informed and engaged . An excellent range of extra-curricular activities lifting aspiration, pride and success . Partnerships with other schools, local businesses and the wider community . Awareness of global citizenship and an understanding of diversity and sustainability At Wilmslow High School this is the list that comes first and it is very evident in our new SIP: we are confident that we lead on education and manage the organisation. Despite an ‘outstanding’ Ofsted (April 2011) we are never complacent, we always aim to improve and there is much to do. We have a vibrant, well qualified, specialist staff that is determined to provide the best for the students at Wilmslow High. Despite the ‘interesting times’ we will continue to design a curriculum that meets the needs of all our students; we will continue to enable our teachers to engage students through innovative and creative teaching and learning; we will continue to offer students an endless list of opportunities and we will remain accountable to those who matter, our students, parents, governors and the community. Education is a privilege, a career in education is an honour and successful schools stay focused on the delivery of an ‘outstanding’ education for the young people in its care. There is much resonance between the Olympic and Paralympic values and those of Wilmslow High School: I am sure as you read this edition of ‘High Performance’ you will see evidence of ‘Friendship, Respect, Excellence, Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality’. Happy reading! ‘Be very strong and be very methodical in your life if you want to be a champion.’ 4 Montreal 1976 Alberto Juantorena Cuban athlete. Get ready for 2012........ Headteacher’s thoughts ......... GET READY FOR THE GAMES Wilmslow Olympic Week is ! Monday 25th June- Friday 29th June. WOWThere has been a lot of Tatton Park. This world famous journey build up to the London 2012 from Olympia, Greece started on 11th Olympic and Paralympic Games May, as the flame was lit and brought to the UK. Over 7,300 inspirational in the media, but what have we torchbearers will be lucky enough to been doing here at WHS? carry the flame, ranging from world Every activity taking place during the class athletes, to determined people week will be based on an Olympic or who have made a difference to people’s Paralympic value: friendship, respect, lives within their local community. Mr excellence, determination, inspiration, Dooling’s father, Mike Dooling, will be courage and equality. This year carrying the torch in Tatton Park, a Primary schools we want the students to be central in designing and delivering lots of Wilmslow High School’s PE Olympic based activities. Different ambassadors have played a key part subject ambassadors will be working in promoting the Games in our local closely with a member of staff from primary schools. The ambassadors have each subject area to design fun, visited schools to talk about the ‘spirit’ exciting and educational lessons for of the Games, explain what legacy you to follow on Monday 25th June, means and generate excitement around which is also World Sports Day. the prospect of the greatest show on earth taking place in our country. The Olympic Flame for the London ambassadors have supported Olympic Watching the Olympic 2012 Games is lit in Ancient themed festivals throughout the year Olympia values and they will continue to support A number of subject ambassadors were primary schools as they prepare for lucky enough to be invited to visit the National School Sports Week. This reward for over 40 years of voluntary Odeon cinema in Warrington to watch will start with World Sports Day on service to athletics. Members of the the premiere of the London 2012 Get Monday 25th June. Primary schools Student Council along with subject Set Movie. The movie highlighted the are now in training for the ‘primary ambassadors will be there to witness importance of living the Olympic and school Olympics’, which are being this historic event. Paralympic values within everyday life, coordinated by Lindow Primary as well as in sport. School’s headteacher and are being Legacy questions supported by Wilmslow High School How will London 2012 leave a and many local clubs. lasting legacy on your life and the lives of those in our local How can I get involved in community? everything WOW? We hope that all students will be There is now an area on the engaged by London 2012 and that the VLE which will have links to values that underpin the Games are lots of different activities, competitions, videos and Every torchbearer will wear a white and embraced by everyone within school, gold uniform designed by Adidas.