H E A D - L I N E S

Dear Parents,

Since I wrote to you last, we have said

farewell to our exchange trip students. Our friends from fellow Rosminian School, St. Peter’s, Gore, New Zealand thoroughly

enjoyed their week at Ratcliffe with their host families and within the boarding community. The students were a delight to welcome into our classrooms and they certainly made lots of new friends. Similarly, our good friends from ‘Bischöfliches Cusanus-Gymnasium’ (Gymnasium actually means grammar school!), spent an action-packed week with their Ratcliffe buddies, enjoying lessons and trips. My sincere thanks to all the students, parents and staff for ensuring our guests received such a warm welcome and a fulfilling exchange experience. If you would like to know more about these fantastic opportunities, please contact Miss Gatt (New Zealand Exchange) and Mr McCrindell (German Exchange).

Public examinations began in earnest for Year 11 and 13 with GCSE and A Level

language oral assessments, GCSE and A Level PE moderation, GCSE Art and AS ICT. Well done to everyone involved. My thanks to the English and Drama Departments for taking GCSE and A Level students to see the play, The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk, which you can read more about in the Big Six section.

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As well as the usual schedule of fixtures taking place last weekend, some of our

students produced some wonderful individual sporting results and our boarding students tried to ‘break out’ of The Escape Rooms in Leicester, a challenge that they thoroughly enjoyed.

The working week commenced with

examinations and then on Monday tea time, our budding golfers took part in the annual Staff vs. Students’ Golf competition. The format was ‘Texas Scramble’ and the match was played at Rothley Park Golf Club, to whom we are most grateful for hosting us so well. We were delighted by the student performances (and thanks to our staff accompaniment) at the beautiful Scholars’ Concert on Tuesday evening. Well done to all those who contributed to such an enjoyable evening of music. Unfortunately, on Wednesday, we had to postpone the House Square races due to inclement weather, so please look out for the new date in due course.

4th May 2018

On Wednesday evening, I wore ‘two hats’ as I attended the Year 7 Parents’ Evening

as a parent and Headmaster. I hope that, like me, those who attended found the evening informative regarding their child’s effort and attainment so far, as well as those all-important ‘next-steps’ for improvement and goals for the remainder of the School Year. Remaining with the academic theme, Ms Davis and Mr Neville were thrilled to host another Academic Achievers’ lunch on Thursday with a group of Sixth Form students. It is always a pleasure for the Senior Leadership Team to spend time talking to the students and getting to know them better, whilst hearing their invaluable views on a host of interesting school-related themes including their ideas for improvement in certain areas of school life. I hosted a similar lunch last week for students in Years 7-11, where we enjoyed a fantastic discussion on the merits (or otherwise) of using electronic devices in lessons. Interestingly, the students were far from unanimous in their views on the potential benefits of additional access to electronic devices in class, with many citing the potential of being easily distracted from their work. Students are always happy to swap their uniform to wear their own clothes and this was the case on Friday – this time, in aid of Faith in Families, a charity which we have supported over many years.

This weekend, some of our overseas students will be sitting their Cambridge

English examinations; there will be a Boarding Community Mass on Saturday at 5.00pm, and then the boarders will take to the track on Sunday when they embark upon a go-karting session, so no doubt we will see the competitive side of some of our students (and staff ) on Sunday!

Whilst the majority of students and staff will be enjoying family time on Bank

Holiday Monday, our Boarders and Boarding Staff will be spending the day in school with various in-house activities planned for them to enjoy, so we hope that the weather will be kind to us all, whatever we have planned.

I would like to remind you about the very worthwhile Parent Café scheduled for

Tuesday (8th May) on Drug & Substance Abuse. I hope that we have a good turnout of attendees (5.00pm, Old Library). If you would like to be ‘inspired’ by an Old Ratcliffian on Wednesday, Mark Foyster is coming in to present ‘The Internet of Things – The 5th Industrial Revolution’ (7.00pm, Sixth Form Centre). As you will read under Parents’ Association News, models will be strutting along the catwalk next Wednesday in the Prep School Hall (7.30pm) for the annual Fashion Show, which promises to be another popular evening, so please do come along with your family and friends – the more the merrier!

We will be rounding off the school week next Friday, 11th May, with

a momentous Year 11 Leavers’ (valete) service at 8.35am in the Church; Year 11 will commence Study Leave at the end of lessons, ahead of their GCSE public examinations. On Saturday 12th May, some of our overseas students will be sitting their English as an Additional Language (EAL) PET examinations whilst our Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Bronze candidates will be embarking upon their practice expedition and the boarders will be taking to the water in Rutland.

I wish you a wonderful week ahead.

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Yours sincerely,

Mr J. P. Reddin, Headmaster.

SENIOR SCHOOL

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Achievement Awards

Merit Badge

YEAR 7 Charles Smith

YEAR 8 Matthew Collyer

Merit Shield

YEAR 7 Ewan MetcalfeAlfie Thompson

YEAR 8 Daniel BaileyCoral Keates

YEAR 9Albert FletcherHenry Winterson

Calum Storey

Jessica McCall

Samuel Pick

Guy GambleJoshua Lee

Oliver Hunt

Achievement Voucher 1

YEAR 10 Adam Bartlett

YEAR 11Joellen GitauGeorge LinnettTom Neuberg

YEAR 12Ema ChmurovicovaMegha Patel

YEAR 13Samuel AshberryAlexandra Mitchell

Achievement Voucher 2

YEAR 12 Sarah Astill

YEAR 13 Isabelle Duckett

Ellie HollinsheadAlessio Misso

Hebe JacksonAof Phonchamroen

Shelly Lam

Isobel Coombs

Super Shield

YEAR 7 Sam Davies

YEAR 8 Amelia Tebbutt

YEAR 9 Daata Apiafi

Rosie Dickerson

Henry Urwin

Rachel Astill

At the start of the year, Year 7 and 9 students were given the task of producing an individual project. Year 7 were asked to produce a project on Castles and Year 9 on an aspect of the First World War. There were some very interesting and high quality pieces of work and the winners were:

Year 7: Keira Perry (Arundel) for an excellent model of French style castle

Year 9: Olivia Crawley (Arundel) for a fascinating project on conditions in the First World War trenches and some extremely interesting information about her grandad and his experience in the war.

Well done to both girls!

Mr Cantrill, Head of History

HISTORY RESEARCH PROJECTS AND HOUSE EVENT

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Seven of the Leicester City Thai Football Academy Scholars wrote the Cambridge Assessment: Key English Test for Schools examination this academic year and produced some very pleasing results. All students achieved Level A1 or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Special mention must go to Tar Wongkam who achieved Level A2 with merit and Pupan Wandee who exceeded the level of the Key English Test by completing the examinations with distinction and achieving a Level B1 – the equivalent of the next examination level up. The boys are continuing to work very hard and with great commitment. Some of the Scholars have examinations coming up in May and June and we wish them all the very best in these.

Mrs Reeves, Head of English as an Additional Language

CAMBRIDGE ASSESSMENT ENGLISH

Last month, the Year 12 Young Enterprise students and their company, OneTwo, competed at Leicester University in the area final against other teams from schools all over Leicestershire. They had to produce a detailed company report, put up a trade stand, had interviews with judges and made a 4-minute presentation to a large audience. They performed well and although they didn’t reach the County Final, they won awards for best presentation, best financial management and the Ron Miles trophy – presented to the team identified as having the most fun whilst on the Company Programme.

Well done to Amy Baxter, Ema Chmurovicova (Managing Director), Isobel Coombs, Neeka Dhillon, Krishan Gupta, Myles Hanchell (Finance Director), Katie Honey, Rajan Modwhadia, Molly Page, Megha Patel, Georgina Pearce, Toby Snell on their achievements.

Mr Spencer, Head of Business Studies and Economics

YOUNG ENTERPRISE COMPANY COMPETITION

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YEAR 6 Sophie BardsleyRebecca BloorLydia HaggisGrace LinnettSienna Mitchell-JohnsonIsabella Westwood

YEAR 5 Francesca CottonSophia DenhamEdward KaranjaHannah Morley

YEAR 4 Thomas BloorLola GallacherKatherine ShieldReuben SladeRosanna Wilson

YEAR 3Eliza Barton-JacquesRowan Thompson

YEAR 2Easher AustinFaith Seidu

YEAR 1 Freddie Blake-Smith

Francesca BestRebecca DowdingHarry Hings Holly McNeeneyOliver SmithArabella Wilson

Freddie DaynesLily Grieff-Liggins-MulveyOlivia LynchFlorance Newham

George GaffneyOliver Kirby-DoughtyRobyn Parker-ToonEdgar Wilson

Robert Horst

Gyan Sagoo

Amaira Khan

THIRD CERTIFICATES OF MERIT wERE AwARDED TO:-

YEAR 6 Albert Misiuda

YEAR 5 Bella Barton-JacquesGracie SmithKhrish Tailor

YEAR 4 Chloe ElsbySam GilesCoral Kairamkonda

YEAR 3Marley DeaconDiya Patel

YEAR 2 Joseph BradleyMax CottinghamTyler RutherfordMarcus Singh

YEAR 1Rahul Khoda

Lottie NorthAlfie StevensonHendrick Tang

Leo GabrielAlex Griffiths

Lucie Mason

Abigail ColeOlivia PearceEleanor RyceIsaac Traynor

Vir Patel

MERIT BADGES wERE AwARDED TO:-

YEAR 6 Santiago Alexander

YEAR 5 Tomas Mason

YEAR 4 T J Dunstan

YEAR 2 Harley Pope

SECOND CERTIFICATES OF MERIT wERE AwARDED TO:-

P R E P A R A T O R Y S C H O O L

YEAR 4 Emily Woodley

YEAR 3 Maisie LeakeIszac Rodrigues

YEAR 2 Chloe OpliphantOreon Patel

Lucy MarkhamJessica Tuckwell

Maahi Patel

MERIT SHIELDS wERE AwARDED TO:-

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NiA HugHES, YEAR 1Took part in a swimathon, swimming 16 lengths and gaining her 400m certificate and badge.

HARRiEt SYkES, YEAR 6Achieved Grade 2 on the Flute.

JAMES pRoctoR, YEAR 1Started ski school 3 years ago and has just received his first professional grading.

loRcAN MuRpHY, YEAR 3Received a medal for taking part in the giant slalom ski race, as well as winning the race (he was the third fastest skier on the course of his ability group).

HENRY MAHER-StillMAN, YEAR 4Won the ‘tackle of the match’ trophy for playing for Keyworth U9’s football team.

kAtHERiNE SHiEld, YEAR 4Won a trophy and medal for 1st place girls, Year 3 and 4 category, Cross Country race at Frisby.

P R E P A R A T O R Y S C H O O LHARRY MARtiN, YEAR 5Won the Prima Bowl Trophy playing for Syston Rugby Club.

toMAS MASoN, YEAR 5Won a medal for taking part in the Leicestershire Rugby Union.

tABitHA kYlE, YEAR 6Had a great Easter competing in Equestrian competitions, her best result was winning the 138 Grand Prix at Southview.

HollY pAgE, YEAR 6Received a Merit in the UWLQ Level 1 Music Theatre Grade 1.

ZARA EttY, YEAR 5Came 3rd in the Greek Novice section in a dance competition at Sutton Coldfield, she also passed her Level 1 award in Theatre Dance with disctinction.

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EVA pERRY, YEAR 6Was awarded a trophy for ‘Student of the Month’ at her Karate Club; she has also achieved her purple and white belt.

gEoRgE lEitE ANd HARRY clARkE, YEAR 6Took part in a swimathon at Melton Pool to raise money for Cancer Research and Marie Curie. They both swam 1.5km (60 lengths) and completed this in 32 minutes. So far they have raised £250.

YEAR 4 BoYSThe following Year 4 boys, playing for Keyworth Rugby Club U9’s, took part in the Harrogate Rugby Festival, coming second and were undefeated; they also won the ‘Fair Play’ award and were presented with a medal: Henry Maher-Stillman, Thomas Bloor, TJ Dunstan, Ivan Ventrella, Ethan Carroll.

P R E P A R A T O R Y S C H O O LMuSic AcHiEVEMENt cERtiFicAtES WERE AWARdEd to:-

Maahi Patel, Year 1Abigail Cole, Year 2Eliza Barton-Jacques, Year 3John Bowden, Year 3Sophia Denham, Year 3Odera Munonyedi, Year 3Isha Sidhu, Year 4Eloise Allsager, Year 5Florance Newham, Year 5Harry Clark, Year 6Harriet Sykes, Year 6

PianoCello

PianoTrumpet

VoicePianoViolinDrumFlute

GuitarFlute

THE B IG S IX

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THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH’S AwARD

On Monday 23rd April, our Bronze expedition participants had an outdoor

lesson at the front of school, learning how to put up and take down tents. In challenging conditions, they did really well, even though the tents were trying to take off like power kites in the wind! We are looking forward to their practice expedition (a week on Saturday and Sunday) and we wish them the best of luck!

Congratulations to Alicia Boothroyd and Elliot Fawdington on gaining their Silver

award.

Mrs Cole, Duke of Edinburgh Co-ordinator

CHAPLAINCY

One of the great joys of the Chaplaincy Team is to witness so many of our

students, their parents and our colleagues involved in our three main activities – sharing the faith, celebrating the faith and living the faith. Click here for some recent examples of this participation.

Mr Michel, Lay Chaplain

COMBINED CADET FORCE

Forthcoming Events

CCF RAF Flying Experience Days, Thurs 17th May and Wed 13th June, RAF CranwellRAF & History trip to The Imperial War Museum, Duxford, Cambridgeshire, Wed 30th MayCCF Army Section Field Training, Thetford, Sun 24th – Tues 26th JuneCCF Army Section Summer Camp, Vallon Pont Darc, South of France, Sat 7th to Sat 14th JulyCCF RAF Section Summer Camp, RAF Boulmer, Alnwick, Sun 8th to Sun 15th July Lt Col Balmbra, OC CCF

SPORT

Please find the link to our weekly Sports Reports below:

SENIOR SCHOOL SPORTS REPORT

PREP SCHOOL SPORTS REPORT

THE B IG S IX

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DRAMA

We have had another busy fortnight in the Drama Department, with Year 12 and

13 productions and an inspirational trip to see the outstanding ‘Flying Lovers of Vitebsk’ by Kneehigh Theatre Company. Rehearsals are well underway for our next performances of Year 10’s Devised Plays taking place on Thursday 17th May. We hope to see lots of you there and please follow us on our new Twitter account @RatcliffeDrama for further updates.

Click here to read a review written by Mr Walsh about our recent Year 12 and 13

performances.

Miss Monk, Head of Drama.

Review of GCSE & A Level Theatre Trip to ‘The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk’ at Northampton Royal and Derngate, 26th April:

‘The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk’ was staggeringly beautiful with the story of

Marc Chagall (The Russian, Jewish painter) and his wife Bella (a highly intellectual woman) being told through songs, acting, dance and live musicians. The set was both poignant and interactive, with wooden beams constructed in a distorted cube, demonstrating the turmoil and chaos around the couple during the Second World War with flashbacks to WW1. Yet actors, Marc Antonin and Audrey Brisson portray the faith and love in their relationship as they tried to keep their family beliefs and passions alive. An amazing experience in seeing the world through a phenomenal painter’s eyes.

Sophie Dring, Year 13.

Ratcliffe College Music Department presents

The Picnic Concert

Bring your family, friends, and a picnic,

and enjoy a selection of music from the Ratcliffe College Orchestra,

Preparatory School, Gospel and Senior Choirs, the Brass Ensemble,

the Swing Band, and lots more!

On

Saturday 23rd June At 6.00pm prompt

In the Marquee

The Marquee will open at 5.30pm. The concert will start at 6.00pm prompt

and will include an interval for you to enjoy your picnic.

The concert is scheduled to conclude by 9.00pm

A N D B E Y O N D . . .

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GERMAN EXCHANGE 2018 (RETURN V I S IT )

Ratcliffe students from Years 9 to 13 welcomed their German Exchange

partners during the first week back after Easter. Thankfully, we were blessed with glorious weather, dispelling the myth that it always rains in England. A day in school on the Tuesday was followed by trips to Warwick/Stratford, Nottingham and Leicester.

The weekend was spent with their host families, who organised a variety of trips,

including to London. Staff and students returned to Germany with many happy memories of sunny weather and wonderful hospitality.

Mr McCrindell, Head of German

THE C ARNEGIE SHADOwING GROUP

The Carnegie Shadowing Group visit to Moat Community College in Leicester, Monday 30th April 2018.

The CILIP Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to an outstanding book written for young people. Although the award is officially judged by a panel of Librarians, many schools form their own group, shadowing the judging process by reading and discussing the short-listed titles before selecting their winner and seeing if it coincides with the judges’ choice. Click here to read more.

A N D B E Y O N D . . .

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PARENT LETTERS

This is the section where you will find Parent letters which are on the Parent

Portal on the school website (for which you will need to click on the appropriate link on the right and enter the password).

Posted on the Parents’ Portal This fortnight are the following letters/items of

information:-

All ScHool NEWSDrugs & Substance Abuse - Parent Café

PARENT PORTAL L INKS

S IXTH FORM

YEARS 10 -11

YEARS 7 -9

ALL SCHOOL NEwS

PARENTS ’ ASSOCIAT ION

The PA have granted £500 towards the purchase of guitars for the Prep School

and a donation for the Nursery to buy wooden blocks for the playground. We are thrilled that the money we raise can support the School.

The PA annual Spring Fair raised £4400 and the cheques will be presented to the

two charities later this term. Thank you, once again, for all the generous donations of Easter eggs, tombola prizes and second hand toys and games which helped to make the event such a success.

On Wednesday 9th May, the Fashion show will be held in the Prep School hall. Any

budding supermodels, please let the PA know and you could be walking the cat walk. The models show the clothes and then give out the clothes to the audience who can then try them on at the end of the evening. We are looking forward to lots of purchases! Please bring your friends and family along, too. Tickets are being sold in the Prep School reception at £5.00 each or £8.00 on the door. There will be a bar for refreshments. We look forward to the event.

Alison Etty and Sasha Bruiners, Joint Chair

WEDNESDAY 9TH MAY 2018

19:30 - 22:00

(show starts 19:45)

In the NEWMAN HALL

Ratcliffe College LE7 4SG

RATCLIFFE COLLEGE

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION PRESENTS

Everyone welcome

CASH BAR ON THE NIGHT

TICKETS: From Prep school reception

£5 (advance)

£8 (on the door)