Dear Parents/Carers,

Welcome to our final newsletter of the Autumn Term, and of 2010! We have had a very busy and very productive term, and I would like to thank all staff and students for their hard work over the past few months. I would also like to thank all parents and members of the local community for their support of Ryedale School over the past term – it really does make a difference.

This term has seen a range of activities take place which reflect the numerous strengths of our school – be they academic or extra-curricular, and reflect the ethos of achievement and aspiration for all. The Pearl of Africa and New Zealand Choir events have been real highlights, and I am looking forward to the ‘Dracula’ performance in the Spring Term, and the Production of ‘Guys and Dolls’ later on in the academic year. The rehearsals indicate that such events will be a fantastic spectacle and showcase for talent! Our achievement assemblies constantly recognise the success of our students in the sporting arena in addition to the Performing Arts, and the numerous extra-curricular activities ensure that there is always a real buzz around the school and that there is something for everyone to get involved in. If you haven’t joined a club yet – try one! We have over 80 extra-curricular opportunities for our students to get involved in.

The Spring Term will see an even greater emphasis on preparing students at Key Stage Four for examination success, and particularly those in Year Eleven. We have an extensive range of strategies to ensure that every student gets the grade that they deserve, but a hugely significant factor is parental support. Please support us in supporting your child to ensure that they do not miss any time from school, that they record all homework in the planner and complete it to the best of their ability. Parents of students in Year Eleven will also need to plan for how they will support their child in preparation for the summer examinations – please do not hesitate to contact the school if you have any questions or queries.

The Coalition Government have recently published a white paper entitled ‘The Importance of Teaching.’ This outlines their vision for the future of education in this country, and one of the most significant points for you as parents to know is that one of the key proposals is to introduce a new academic measure of success in Year Eleven, known as the English Baccalaureate. This will measure student achievement across five key areas of the curriculum which will be English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities and Languages at C grade or above, and will be seen as the new measure of academic achievement alongside the current measure of five GCSEs (including English and Mathematics) at A*-C. Sixth Forms, Colleges and employers will increasingly use this measure as part of criteria, and it is important that you know as parents that we as a school are committed to ensuring continued raised achievement to enable all of our students to have the best opportunities for success as they move into higher education and employment. The White Paper also discusses opportunities for successful schools to support other schools in improving performance, and as a Leading Edge School currently supporting other schools to improve outcomes for learners, we are seeking to develop our role further in the light of this development in the Government White Paper. Our number one priority as a school is to continue to develop the Learning experience for all learners, and it is clear that the White Paper has put this at the heart of its’ thinking as well.

All in all, it has been an exciting term at Ryedale, with lots more to come in the rest of the academic

year. Have an enjoyable and safe Christmas with family and friends.

R Crane

Headteacher

RY E DA L E S C H O O L 2 010 — 2 011

L E A D I N G E D G E S C H O O L

SPECIALIST SCHOOL IN PERFORMING ARTS AND SCIENCE

Special points of interest:

Merry Christmas

Bad Weather

Arrangements

Sponsored Row

Dracula

Christmas Holiday

Events

Inside this issue:

Sponsored Row 2

Adverse Weather 2+3

Dracula Performance 4

Christmas Holiday 4

ABRSM Results 5

Equestrian News 5

Dates Spring Term 6

HEADTEACHER: MR R CRANE M.A. (Hons), NPQH DEPUTY HEADTEACHER: MR P CLAY

CHAIR OF GOVERNORS: MS S BALF

Gale Lane, Nawton, YORK, YO62 7SL Telephone: 01439 771665

FAX: 01439 770697 Email: admin@ryedale.n-yorks.sch.uk

16th December 2010

The PTA Sponsored Rowing Event was a great success this year. The pupils enjoyed the challenge and were able to view their progress on the video screen. This was possible because of a new set of computer aided rowing machines that were presented to the school by the police service. This year approximately £3000 has been raised by this event, an increase of £1000 on the previous year. This money ensures that the PTA can make its annual financial commitments for the school minibus, which benefits so many students. The PTA offered a £10 prize to one boy and one girl from each year group who rowed the furthest in their allocated time. This was offered on the understanding that the student had handed in their sponsor money by the closing date of 26th November. Well done to the following who have won £10 each: Emily Cowton (7D), Gareth Skelton (8A), Ben Wharton (9A), Anna Moore (9D), Jodie Thompson (10E) and Joseph Ridge (11A) Also there were 161 students who raised more than £10 each and handed in the money by 26th November. All these names will go into a draw which will take place in the final assembly and one lucky pupil will win £50. On behalf of the PTA I would like to thank all the students and their parents for supporting this annual event. Mr P Clay Deputy Headteacher

SPONSORED ROWING EVENT

ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS (ALSO SEE OPPOSITE)

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RYEDALE SCHOOL 2010 — 2011

This year has already been very testing as the snow and ice has caused difficulties in local communities, at school and with school transport. Whenever possible we keep the school open, even if only a few students can get to school. However, this term we have already experienced two days where Gale Lane was impassable for school buses or cars that were not four-wheel drive. If the school is to be shut the decision is made by Mr Crane at 7am when Mr Clay has had the opportunity to drive or walk down Gale Lane to assess its safety and accessibility. If the school is to be shut the school contacts North Yorkshire County Council, as well as Radio York and Minster FM so that they can inform parents by including the name of Ryedale School on their lists of closed schools. I attach another copy of the ‘ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOL IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS’ to remind parents of the procedures we follow. (See opposite page) May we thank parents for their support during this recent period of bad weather. We live in hope that we will have a milder January and February!

Mr P Clay Deputy Headteacher

ARRANGEMENTS FOR SCHOOL IN ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS As winter approaches, it is worth clarifying the procedures concerned with school closure resulting from adverse weather conditions. When adverse weather strikes, we have to deal with a deluge of telephone calls from coach companies, staff, parents and students who all want advice at the same time. Because we are not always aware of the wide range of problems happening simultaneously and not always able to control situations as they develop outside of school, it is extremely important that every parent/carer explains to their children what to do if a coach does not arrive for them. In the event of extreme weather arriving during the day it may be necessary to send the children home early. It is impossible to contact every parent/carer in advance, so please make sure your child knows what to do in such an event. Please ensure they know where to go to be safe and dry until parents/carers arrive home. Before Pupils Set Off For School It is highly unlikely that we shall take the decision to close the school before the start of the school day. The school will be open for those who can get in. It is important that our telephone lines are kept open first thing in the morning for pupils in difficulty and transport operators who are having problems. Parents and transport operators can see local weather conditions better than we can see them from school. We ask both parents and drivers to use their discretion about whether or not they feel it is safe to make the journey. After Pupils Have Set Off For School Parents need to be prepared for the possibility that their children have set off for the pickup points in the morning but the coach has not picked them up. following warnings of deteriorating weather conditions drivers bring children home earlier than scheduled. In the above cases parents need to have made arrangements in advance to ensure the pupils have somewhere safe to go until parents return home.

When children are allowed to go home early because of deteriorating weather conditions the telephone at school cannot be used by 550 pupils at once. Hence the need to ensure that families have contingency plans in place.

Sometimes children set off walking home if they live within a couple of miles of school, only to find that they can-not get in. Please ensure that you have made it clear to your children what they should do in such circumstances. They can usually stay with us until the end of the school day. On very rare occasions the police instruct us to close during the day and get everyone off site. Parents/carers need to be ready for such an eventuality.

Emergency Closure If extreme weather conditions persist and it is impossible to open the school, we shall communicate information to you via:

RADIO YORK FM 103.7 and 104.3 or Medium Wave 1260 and 666 MINSTER FM FM 104.7

This will be a very rare occurrence, so if you hear nothing, please assume the school is open. Parents can also help by:

contacting the school to forewarn of worsening local weather conditions. ensuring children have an emergency contact number and sufficient change to make a call if they

become stranded. Closing the school is not an easy option and is a last resort. Your co-operation and forbearance will be much appre-ciated. If you have any questions or comments about these arrangements, please bring them to my attention.

P Clay Deputy Headteacher

Ryedale School 2010—2011

DRACULA

CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY EVENTS

Page 4

These events are all open to Y7, 8 & 9 Saturday 11th and 18th December Get Ready to Cook for Christmas at Oasis Family Centre, Castle Road, Scarborough £10 or free with Me Too. Mon 20th December—Get Ready to Cook for Christmas at Helmsley Walled Garden 9am to noon for 8 –14 yrs. Make Christmas muffins, sausage rolls and Christmas marzipan and icing figures – all ingredients are included. £15 or use Me Too vouchers. Ready to Cook is run by Susan Balf Tel: 01751 433400 / 07778640893 or email susanbalf@tiscali.co.uk 20th and 22nd December—Learn Golf at Snainton Golf Course, all equipment provided, £10 or free with Me Too. For more information call: 01723 850014 Tues 21st December—Norton College, York City in the Community Football Christmas Special 10am to 3pm for 5 – 14yrs. £15 or £20 to include Junior Red Membership, (or use Me Too vouchers) Matty Hood has details on 07530 028986 or 01904 624447.

'I'm not mad! I'm not insane! He's real, and he's coming! Dracula is coming!' The Year ll GCSE Drama group will be performing their terrifying production of Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' on Thursday the 13th of January in the School Drama Studio, and then on Friday the 14th of January at Helmsley Arts Centre. Both performances begin at 7pm and will end at approximately 9pm. Tickets are available from the School Office priced £3.00 for adults and £2.00 for young people, but be warned... it's not for the faint hearted, and not suitable for very young children!

SPORTS UPDATE BASKETBALL Ryedale School’s Year 9 and 11 Basketball Teams had good wins over Malton. Year 9 won convincingly 65-6. Ross Leckenby and Peter Pittaway were our star players. Year 11 won 43-25. NETBALL Ryedale School’s Year 8 and 10 Netball Teams are both through to their respective semi final of the Scarborough and Ryedale Netball Cup. Both teams beat their counterparts from Graham School to book their place in the semi final of their respective Cups. Year 8 won 22-2. Emily Lockett was outstanding. Year 10 won 17-6. Sophie Robinson and Jodie Thompson put in solid performances. TAG RUGBY Ryedale School hosted and organised a Primary Cluster Tag Rugby tournament. It was run by 34 Young Sports

Leaders from Ryedale School and consisted of 18 teams from 5 Primary Schools: Helmsley, Kirkbymoorside,

Nawton, St. Benedict’s and Gillamoor. 148 young people from Years 5 and 6 participated in the tournament. Every

team played 7 games on the day and the eventual winners were St. Benedict’s School.

Message for all the pupils who entered the music competition—you will be heard at the start of next term. Guys

and Dolls cast members are reminded that rehearsals will restart next term, and a new schedule will be issued at

the beginning of the term.

ABRSM Grades The following pupils should be congratulated on attaining excellent grades in their Associated Board of the Royal

MUSIC NEWS

Page 5

Pupil Instrument Grade Mark Level

AUGUSTA FULLERTON-SMITH SINGING 3 130 Distinction

HENRY WHEELER TRUMPET 3 125 Merit

ANNA HUMPLEBY SINGING 4 122 Merit

DANIEL POTTER E FLAT HORN 4 140 Distinction

CATHERINE BECKETT CLARINET 5 113 Pass

JESSICA LUSH SINGING 5 116 Pass

BRANDON STOCK ALTO SAXOPHONE 5 120 Merit

GEORGIA WARD THEORY 5 66 Pass

GREG WRAY THEORY 5 77 Pass

RICHARD WARE THEORY 5 81 Merit

DOMINIC DUNNE THEORY 5 90 Distinction

TWM STONE PIANO 6 120 Merit

NICK WRAY HORN 8 131 Distinction

EQUESTRIAN NEWS Suzannah Dunn from Ryedale School had a very successful season, winning nearly every County BSPS Working Hunter Pony Class she competed in and taking home 4 championships. As a result she has quali-fied for the BSPS, NPS and Equifest Championships. Suzannah also competes as a team member for Malton & District Riding Club (Dressage) and in June quali-fied as an individual and a team member for the British Riding Clubs National Championships which took place at Lincoln in September. This was a tremendous achievement for Suzannah, aged 12, as the junior category is open up to the age of 18. In the individual competition, a National Championship, Suzannah finished 8th and as part of the Dressage team Suzannah and her team finished 1st- National Champions. Congratulations to Suzannah!

NEWSLETTER DISTRIBUTION DATES 2011

Thursday 17th February 2011

Thursday 7th April 2011

Thursday 26th May 2011

Thursday 14th July

Ryedale School 2010—2011

Tuesday 4th January 2011 Staff Training Day

Wednesday 5th January Students return to school

Thursday 13th January Dracula performance at Ryedale School

Friday 14th January Dracula at the Helmsley Arts Centre

Tuesday 25th January Year 11 Reports to parents/carers

Tuesday 1st February Vocational Evening 6.30 p.m. for Year 9 Parents

and Carers

Thursday 10th February Year 11 Parents’ Evening

Friday 18th February Half term ends

Monday 28th February Students return to school

Thursday 10th March Year 9 Parents’ Evening

Thursday 24th March Year 10 Parents’ Evening

Wednesday 30th March

To Friday 1st April Production of Guys and Dolls

Friday 8th April End of Spring Term

DATES FOR YOUR DIARY SPRING TERM 2011

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT If parents/carers have any suggestions for school improvement that they would like the Governors’ Home School Committee to discuss, please write to Mr Clay who services this committee. Please add your name and the name of your child, so we can respond to you. P Clay

GUYS & DOLLS

30th March to 1st April

PUBLIC TRANSPORT SURVEY

Would you like to be more independant? Would you like to get an article published in the local papers? We need some lively people to do a short research project about the importance of evening public transport to our local economy, to your social life, and to your community. We'd love to present the results in a wacky way, but convincing and effective way (these evening services are threatened);any ideas?

Please contact helenspost@msn.com or Eden Blyth on 01751 477216.

DRACULA 13TH & 14TH JANUARY