head’s message - ruskin high school, crewe griffiths, declan mcphee and freddie woolley year 8:...
TRANSCRIPT
AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER Tel. 01270 560514
Head’s Message
Dear Parent/Carer
As always, this is a fabulous account of some of the really positive things that are
happening at Ruskin.
I would like to thank everyone for ensuring that such a wide variety of opportunities are on
offer.
It is particularly positive to be able to share the success of our mathematicians at the recent
Challenge events, and I am also delighted that student leadership is a growing feature of so
many departments across our school.
The clear outreach and charity work that goes on is so strong at our school and I am really
proud of our students’ response to this aspect.
I really hope that you enjoy reading this latest edition.
With very best wishes,
Mrs E S Brett
Headteacher
A Sneaky Peek of What’s Inside...
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Ruskin High School
Head’s message ..………………….…..….…..… 1
Keeping Children Safe Online………..….… 3
Head Boy and Head Girl, Rewards….…....4
Humanities Department ……………………5,6
Maths Department …...…...……………..….. 7
PE Department …………..………..………... 8,9
Y7 Stanley Head Trip........…..………..…... 10
Enrichment, Y11 Awards…………….….…..11
English Department and Languages….. 12
Christmas Reading …………………….……...13
Music Department ……....…….….….……..14
Aiming for Success…………....……...…… 15
Supporting Charities…………………..…...16
Remembrance…...………………………….. 17
Sponsors……………………………………..…..18
Ruskin School Association……………... 19
Parentpay…….……………………………..…..20
Hiring our Facilities ……..….………….….. 21
Keeping in touch ………………………….... 22
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AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
Keeping Children Safe Online
Where can you get
help?
Think u Know?
www.thinkuknow.co.uk
Where can you get help?
CEOP—Child Exploitation and
Online Protection Agency
www.ceop.police.uk
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Rewards
The Lion, Witch and The Wardrobe
As a reward for students in Key Stage Three who
currently attend extracurricular Dance and Music
clubs, selected students have been invited to
attend a festive performance of The Lion, Witch
and The Wardrobe at South Cheshire College.
Our adventures into the magical world of Narnia
will take place on Thursday 15th December, and
we are really looking forward to seeing the superb
production the College students have created.
Rewards Trips for
Thursday 22nd December:
Water World
Cinema and MacDonalds
Aladdin Pantomime at Crewe Lyceum
Homework Rewards:
Throughout November and December students
who have completed all their homework were
eligible for a reward, ranging from:
Hot Chocolate and Oreos
Non-uniform Day
Form Competition
Prize draw for Nandos
Head Boy and Girl
Congratulations to our Head Boy Finley Butler,
Head Girl Alice Brooker, Deputy Head Boy Archie
Whiston and Deputy Head Girl Alisha Parker.
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AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
Geography Trips
Year 11 Castleton, Peak District.
Year 11 GCSE students visited the pretty village
of Castleton in the Peak District to collect data
for their GCSE controlled assessment.
The first task was to record the uses of all the
shops and houses in Castleton.
Students interviewed the general public on why
they were visiting Castleton and what they
thought the impact of tourism had had on
Castleton.
‘It was a bit scary to begin with, but
once we got more confident it was
good fun!’
Then the steep walk up to Peveril Castle to
carry out surveys and to enjoy the spectacular
views of the surrounding Peak Districts.
Then the climb up Mt. Everest; well, it was a
small incline really but the amount of moaning
and bribery needed to get some of the
students to walk up it, it may as well have
been!
Once along the footpath, students stopped for
a welcome break and to carry out a survey on
the condition of the footpaths.
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Maths Department
AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
We took part in a 4—man-team competition at
Sandbach School against another 11 schools from the
Cheshire East area. It consisted of 6 rounds of
different activities.
Examples of the rounds students faced were:
imaginary numbers, pantomimes, countdown style
game, complex numbers challenge.
It lasted from 9.30am until 12pm and was two and a
half hours of intense Maths with a really strong
competitive field. Our team was relatively confident
when it came to results time as they felt they had
done well in most rounds, however they knew the
standard was very high and it would be really tough to
finish first. Many of the schools involved had 200-300
sized years groups to choose from which is much
bigger than our ‘90 or so’ in year 10!
I am really pleased to announced that we
finished in 2nd place with Middlewich school
winning. I think this is an immense achievement
by the four boys who should be really proud of
themselves. The boys gorged on the prize they
won for finishing second in the taxi on the way
back, and they deserved it.
Benjamin Woolley one of the individuals who
took part for Ruskin, said:
‘It was a great experience, I wasn’t expecting us
to finish in such a high position as all the schools
were very talented. I was really happy when
they read our name out a second and a well
done to everyone who took part’.
In Other News
The Maths Department attended the
University of Manchester on 9th December
with Mrs Orme. This involved a series of
workshops and puzzles by leading
Mathematics presenters and a Dragon Maths
Competition.
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Sports Success
Year 7 student, Chloe Aitken, has been competing in the Junior Cheshire Swimming Gala in Macclesfield.
Chloe had a fantastic day swimming:
Gold in the 50m Freestyle with a time of 36.5.
Silver in the 200m with a time of 3.17.34.
“We are extremely proud of her achievement, her work ethic and dedication is amazing.” (Mrs Aitken)
CONGRATULATIONS!
To the Year 7 Football Team who won the Crewe Schools
5-a-side football tournament.
The team won the competition and
will play in the overall South
Cheshire Final in the New Year.
Up and Coming Fixtures
Wednesday 14th December
U13 Touch Rugby Tournament at Reaseheath College for South Cheshire Schools.
Thursday 15th December Football
Y10 5-a-side v St Thomas More (home)
Y8 5-a-side v St Thomas More (home)
Monday 16th January Football
Y7/8/9 Football v Malbank (away)
Netball Tournament Dates (away)
Y110 28th February v Malbank
Y9 7th March v Brine Leas
Y8 14th March v Sandbach
Indoor Cricket
Ben Tomlinson, the ECB Community Development Officer for South Cheshire, will give all Y7 students an introduction to indoor cricket.
This will be followed up with lunchtime coaching, inter form competitions and coaching for school team competitions in 2017.
The students had an excellent experience and were superb ambassadors for the school. Ben was really impressed with their approach and behaviour.
Ruskin Netball Teams
The netball teams have been extremely dedicated this
year, facing some tough opposition and always playing to
the best of their ability. Some of the teams have won a
good number of their matches and on occasions have even
played teams in the age category above them. To
celebrate a fantastic season, they will be having a fun
session for their last training session and are hoping to
have a celebratory meal in the New Year.
In the New Year, some of the team players will be
supporting in the delivery and running of a High 5 netball
league involving a number of local primaries. Our students
are eagerly looking forward to working with these younger
students and sharing their skill and enthusiasm.
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Sport Continued
AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
Ruskin students joined the U13 touch rugby festival at the grand opening of Reaseheath College’s new 3G rugby pitch in December. The event was a brilliant occasion with lots of great rugby! Students had the chance to meet ex- England international Mark Ceuto.
Sport Leader Development Programme
Students were invited to apply to become Sports Leader
via an application form. There were plenty of
applications which made it very difficult for the PE staff
to whittle it down to a handful of students. After some
tough decisions, the final selection was made with the
following students being appointed to the role. Well
done to all that applied:
Year 7 : Mia Harris, Kiera McConnell, Mirren Hilditch,
Katie Dodd, Eleanor Blakeley McCann, Nicola Lakas,
Kyle Bebbington, Jacob Greer, Jack Peter Williams,
Harry Griffiths, Declan McPhee and Freddie Woolley
Year 8: Hamilah Ahmed, Lily Latham, Klaudia Trela,
Aimee Capper, Vanessa Gaziova, Cameron Stewart,
Affan Ijaz, Tyrese Maynard, Joshual Lewis and Ben
Matthews
Year 9: Mariesha Booth, Elle Burrell, Jodie Manning,
Rebecca Jennings, India Tilley, Jasmine Fraser, Aaliyah
Hughes, Jack Nichol and Ryan Messam
Year 10: Masie Dutton, Jakub Stodolny and
Jennifer Luson
These fantastic leaders will be involved in leading small sessions within school as part of their lessons and after school clubs. They will also go out into local primaries to support younger students, and they will also host some primary competitions here at Ruskin.
To support in their own development, Mrs Critchley-Goodier will be helping to support their leadership skills through a series of workshops. We are looking forward to giving more updates on the successes and experiences that these wonderful Sports Leaders will be getting involved in this academic year.
Touch Rugby
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Y7 Stanley Head Trip, 30th September
£450 per student - based on a maximum of 30 pupils taking part .
Please contact the office for further details: 01270 560514
On Friday 30th September 2016, our new Year 7 students visited Stanley Head to work on a number of
team building activities. The students worked in their tutor groups on abseiling, orienteering, canoeing,
crate tower building, archery and team skills. The students worked brilliantly with each other,
demonstrating excellent communication and group work skills. It was a very enjoyable day for all, even for
those that got a little wet from the canoeing! Well done to all involved and thanks for such a fantastic day.
Year 9 & 10 Enrichment Programme
This academic year, Ruskin have started a new Enrichment programme for year 9 and 10 students. The aim is to provide the students with an opportunity to try something new, develop a new skill and it is a break from the normal timetabled curriculum.
There are 5 activities being organised for students. Each group will get the opportunity to enjoy each of the five activities, rotating each half term. The 5 activities are as listed below. Students will be given the opportunity to suggest activities for the final half term.
Archery with Miss Birkett and Greenbank Company of Archers www.greenbankarchers.com
Crewe Lifestyle Centre with Mr Hartley www.everybody.org.uk/centres/crewe-lifestyle-centre
Cycling – achieving the nationally recognised Bikeability certificate www.bikeability.org.uk
Martial Martial Arts—Arts with Chongi Thai Boxing Club www.teamchongi.com The Martial arts sessions have been going really well. Students are surprising themselves with their ability to beat up their teacher!
Outdoor skills with Mrs Critchley-Goodier
Yoga with the Ministry of Yoga www.ministryofyoga.org
AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
Year 11 Awards Ceremony September 2016
Upcoming performances in 2017:
Cheshire Schools Dance Show
017 Dance at the Regent Theatre,
Stoke-on-Trent
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Congratulations to all the students
nominated for awards. We enjoyed
a certificate presentation ceremony
at the School—here are a small
selection of photographs from the
event.
Dance Club Lunchtime with Miss John
Year 7 Monday, Year 8 Wednesday
Year 9 and 11 Tuesday
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We are delighted to announce the launch of our new Ambassadors programme. The aim of the Ambassadors is to promote language learning at Ruskin and to support their peers with class work, homework and anything language related.
MFL Ambassadors wrote a letter of application and provided references and the above were chosen from a strong field. They are currently in the process of designing their own notice board and are available at MFL homework club every Monday week 1 and Wednesday week 2 12.30-12.55 in room 7.
School Ambassadors
Y11 Bradley Dean, Alice Brooker
Yr10 Natalia Niedziela, Anarghiros Dumitrache
Yr9 Maria Daniicic, Noorjahan Begum Ali
Yr8 Will Preston, Tabitha Adams
Yr7 Dominik Wadolski, Katie Precious
Polish Ambassadors
Year 11 Patrycja Burczak, Daria Mozejewska
Ambassadors can also be contacted by email at: [email protected]
Our Polish Ambassadors are running a club on Tuesday after school in room 6 for those wanting to learn some Polish or Polish students wanting support.
Ruskin Modern Foreign Language (MFL) Ambassadors
Year 7 students have entered a
creative writing competition through
www.youngwriters.co.uk
There are some amazing prizes on
offer including the opportunity to
have work published.
A Creative Writing Club takes place
Thursday lunchtime with Miss Lucas.
English Department
CLOSING DATE:
21st DECEMBER 2016 WWW.YOUNGWRITERS.CO.UK
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Christmas Reading The Library has continued to flourish during the Autumn term with the number of books borrowed setting a Ruskin record! This is fantastic as ‘reading for pleasure’ is central to our school day. We know that improving reading not only helps with students’ confidence, self-esteem and vocabulary but is also vital to making progress across the curriculum. Reading for just ten minutes each day can make all the difference. So why not make someone happy this year by adding a book or books to their Christmas stocking? The shops are full of new titles and old favourites, box sets and film tie–ins. After the excitement of Christmas Day, Boxing Day charades and mince pie over -indulgence, there is nothing better than to curl up with a new book. Allow yourself to be transported to different landscapes, meets friends old and new, solve the mystery before the detective (but watch out for the twist), save a damsel in distress…the list goes on and on.
Here are some suggestions from Ruskin Library: The Midnight Gang by David Walliams The Girl of Ink and Stars by Kiran Millwood Diary of a Wimpy Kid – Double Down by Jeff Kinney Clover Moon by Jacqueline Wilson The Secret of Nightingale Wood by Lucy Strange An Eagle in the Snow by Michael Morpurgo The House on Hummingbird Island by Sam Angus The Novice by Taran Matharu Sweet Pizza by G R Gemin and My Brother is a Superhero by David Solomons For Older Readers: Fire Colour One by Jenny Valentine Flawed by Cecelia Ahern Crongton Nights by Alex Wheatle and Chasing the Stars by Malorie Blackman
AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
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Music
Ruskin musicians have been very busy during December,
taking part in a number of Christmas performances.
On Tuesday 6th December, the Lions
Youth Brass performed at Christmas
Concert here at Ruskin. We were
extremely lucky to have such a well
established and musically talented
group of young people perform here.
Within the concert, some of our Year
11 students also performed. Archie
Whiston, Alisha Parker, Patrycja
Burczak and Lara Tagg all performed
superbly at the event and it was an
enjoyable evening for all involved.
Ruskin students were invited to perform at the Christmas Carol Concert at St Stephen’s Church on
Thursday 8th December. The concert was a community event, which included a dramatic reading from the
local Girl Guides. The Ruskin Singing Group performed ‘Let it Snow’ with much enthusiasm and our Year
11 students, Alisha Parker, Lara Tagg and Archie Whiston also performed brilliantly at the event.
On Wednesday 14th December, Ruskin held its annual Christmas Concert. The concert had a variety of
different instrumental and vocal performances and over forty Ruskin students took part. For many
students and groups, it was the first time they had performed at Ruskin. This included the new Ruskin
Percussion Group, who gave their debut performance on the blue bins, Matthew Huang and Molly
Fletcher in Year 7, Erin Wakefield in Year 8 and many of the Year 7 students in the Year 7 Choir and
Singing Group. The performances throughout the evening were excellent and it was fantastic to see
students from all year groups working together to create such a brilliant selection of musical performances.
A huge well done to all students involved and many thanks to all members of staff who helped out on the
evening.
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AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
Motivational Speaker—Hannah Kennedy Jackson
Aim for Success Year 11 Mentoring Programme— Each year 11 has a mentor who will support
them throughout the year.
The mentoring sessions are held once or twice each term. Staff and students meet for tea/coffee and cake followed by the mentoring session - staff may see students in between the timetabled sessions when necessary.
Key Objectives:
Raise standard of performance
Raise self-esteem and aspirations
Raise motivation
Look at revision methods and revision planning
Develop time management and organisational skills
Identify barriers to learning and help find solutions.
Resources:
Students have been given free revision resources to aid study, these include flash cards, coloured pens, highlighters.
Ruskin welcomed Hannah-Kennedy Jackson
from ABC Success into school to inspire and
motivate students in Y10 and Y11.
Hannah is a young woman who has had an
exceptionally challenging background, she
talks about her childhood and her teenage
years in school and the positive effect
school staff had on her life.
“Best speaker we’ve had in school” “It made me realise that
anyone can achieve. It doesn’t matter about your past” “If Hannah can do
it then so can I”
It made me realise how lucky we are to have a generous school that provides us with so much extra help”
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Raising Funds For Charity This Term
Ruskin High students and their parents are always generous with their charity efforts and this term has
been no exception.
Everyone at Ruskin Community High School pulled together to support the October Harvest Festival
where all the food collected was given St Paul’s Pantry, Christian Concern to help those who need
to access local food banks. We collected 308.96 kgs of food that is equivalent to 48.65 stones. A
very big thank you to all who gave generously.
At the very end of this Autumn term we have many more charity events planned including the
delivery of the Salvation Army Advent Collection and Christmas Jumper Day in aid of Save the
Children.
Ruskin High students helped to raise £236 for Macmillan Cancer Charity and £478 for the Leighton
Hospital Macmillan.
We raised £181 for the Children-in-Need Appeal .
The School completed the Mannequin Challenge to support The Lucas Carter Fund.
We raised £117.
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On Wednesday 14th December, the school
opened its doors to guests to take part in
a small service to remember those who
we have loved and lost. The school is
developing a Remembrance garden,
where students can sit for quiet reflection.
Students have been helping by planting
spring bulbs in planters. The trees and
area were decorated with lights and our
guest Reverend Jennifer, led readings,
prayers and a moment of silence.
Afterwards, guests were invited to take a
star and write a note to a loved one. The
stars were placed on the board within the
main hall for all to see.
Ruskin Remembers
AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
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Here at Ruskin, we are committed to ensuring that all students achieve their true potential regardless of ability, age or background. Our school has high expectations, effective learning and teaching, traditional standards and strong pastoral care. For all these reasons we are an extremely popular choice with parents and we also enjoy a positive reputation within the community.
We are pleased to announce that 2G have sponsored our whole school football team kits. 2G joined our Year 10 team recently for the launch of the kit. Robin Chadwick and Angus Perry from 2G joined Sarah Durose, Business Manager at Ruskin for their first game of the season. A big thank you from the students and staff at Ruskin; the kit looks very smart.
2G is a leading manufacturer and
supplier of cogeneration plants
(CHP) operating worldwide. “We are
delighted to support the Ruskin
Football Team, by sponsoring the
school football kits. Good luck to the
teams for the season ahead”.
Robin Chadwick, Managing Director
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AUTUMN 2016 NEWSLETTER
Ruskin School Association
The RSA is a well-established group of friends and parents
whose primary aim is to support the school
The group organises a small number of events in a friendly and welcoming
environment
The Bingo nights are very popular and we
raised £288
Thank you to our sponsors for the
event: Barratt’s Coaches, Gerrards Private Hire,
Reed Specialist Recruitment and Simply Education
The group not only organises fundraising
events, but helps out at school events
too, like serving refreshments at concerts.
Monies raised support the school and
recent donations have been made to the
library for books and to the drama
department for lights
So if you want to make new friends, gain
new skills or experience, or just want to
come and have some fun, you will be
very welcome!
New members are always
welcome, so if you feel you
are able to help, please call
Mrs Margo Veitch on
01270 560514
Make 2017 the year you make a positive
difference to our school community!
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Parent Pay
ParentPay is an online payment system for schools, which allows you to simply top-up your ParentPay
account online by debit or credit card. It’s simple, safe, convenient and your child no longer needs to
carry cash into school. It allows parents to pay quickly and securely for:
School Meals
Trips and Activities
Music Lessons
You can also get important communications by SMS or email. You simply top-up your Parent Pay
account online by debit or credit card. It is easy to set up by visiting ParentPay.
To activate your account you will receive an activation letter from the school with your username and
password.
Go to www.parentpay.com
Select ‘Login’.
Enter username and password.
Select ‘Activate’.
If you required further assistance please contact the school office: 01270 560514
A reminder to Parents:
Please, use Insight to track your son/daughters attendance,
attainment, behaviour and homework.
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Hiring our Facilities
If you are looking for some excellent training facilities or
considering holding a birthday party, sports event or get
together, Ruskin Community High School has versatile
facilities to hire at very competitive prices, starting from
£12/hour. Please contact our office on 01270 560514 or
email [email protected]
to check availability.
Facilities available to hire:
Sports Field
Astro Turf (note: no blades or studs allowed)
Indoor & Outside Netball Courts
Dining Hall
Sports Hall
School Hall
Class Rooms
Our Facilities are open for hire between the following
times:
Monday to Thursday (excluding bank holidays)
6.00pm - 9.00pm
Friday (excluding Good Friday) 5.30pm - 7.00pm
Sunday 9.00am - 2.00pm
Autumn 2016 NEWSLETTER
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Find us on Facebook. Don’t forget
A reminder to parents and carers that direct contact with the
Headteacher can be made using the following email address:
Get in touch.
KEEPING IN TOUCH
Got a question, a great fund-raising
idea, or just need to speak to a member
of staff - contact using one of the ways
below.
Address: Ruskin Community High School, Ruskin Road,
Crewe, Cheshire CW2 7JT
Tele: 01270 560514
Email: [email protected]
@RuskinHigh
Ruskin Community High School
JANUARY 2017
FEBRUARY 2017
MARCH 2017
Please note, dates can be subject to change
School closes for Easter
on Friday 31st March,
reopening on Tuesday
18th April
School closes for half-
term holiday on Friday
17th February, re-opening
on Monday 27th February
School re-opens on Monday
9th January 2017
HOMEWORK CLUB
Library: Tuesday to Friday 3.15pm - 4.00pm
An open invitation to all students who would like to complete homework in school. Support available from the intervention team.
A quiet working space, computers and printers, paper, pens etc are all available to students.
REVISION CAFÉ
In the weeks prior to and throughout mock exams we trailed the new Revision Café initiative. The Library opened at 8am every morning and Y11 students were provided with hot drinks, breakfast bars and fruit, all free of charge, whilst they revised. The session was supported by the intervention team and teaching staff who dropped in to answer questions and give exam advice. The Café was a real success and there are plans to re-open in the New Year.
COMPULSORY LESSON 6 - MISSED HOMEWORK
Homework is rigorously tracked each week. Those students who are regularly missing homework will, with parents’ consent, attend compulsory sessions (Wednesday and Thursday) after school where they will be supported with their homework and coursework - this lasts for a 4 week period. The intervention team work to help improve both the quality of homework and organisational skills.