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www.lathomhighschool.org

ALL THE LATEST NEWS FROM LATHOM HIGH SCHOOL

NEW BEGINNINGS

Issue eleven

WELCOME TO OUR LATEST EDITION OF LATHOM LIFE.

It has been a very busy start to the school year with our students and staff involved in so much already. Some of our autumn highlights have included our House Launch day at Robin Park, Charity Day for Joseph’s Goal, our first whole school photograph in over 10 years and our recent visit to the Council Chambers in Ormskirk to meet the Mayor as part of Local Democracy Week. I would like to thank all of the staff for organising these events and congratulate the students for representing our school so well.

I would like to take this opportunity to welcome all of our new students and staff to our Lathom family. We had over 250 new students join us in September in Years 7 to 10 along with lots of new staff, and I am immensely proud of how hard everyone has worked to make the transition process go smoothly.

A huge part of this has been the introduction of our new House and tutor groups system. Congratulations must go to Radcliffe House for winning the Sports Day, Livingstone House for the Maths Challenge and to Rosalind House for winning the fundraising challenge for Joseph’s Goal. Good Luck to Bronte House who are organising activities to promote ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ on 23 October. I would also like to wish every student standing for the role of House Captain the best of luck in our forthcoming democratic House Elections.

My challenge to every member of our Lathom school family this year is to be PROUD of themselves, of one another, of what they do, who they are and where they come from and together to be PROUD of our school. The five values which we believe will help every student to succeed and Enjoy, Believe, Achieve are set out below:

PerseveranceResponsibilityOwnershipUnderstandingDetermination

We will be covering the values through assemblies and hope to see them develop and flourish in every member of our Lathom family over their time with us. This is a time of exciting change at Lathom and we have great hopes for the future. I hope that this edition of Lathom Life gives you a real flavour of life at Lathom. If you want to find out more about how our school is growing, please contact as at school and we will be delighted to show you around.

Mrs Galbraith Headteacher

NAMED AFTER: The Bronte sisters HEAD OF HOUSE: Mr Lock ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs McCarthy ANTHEM: When the Reds Go Marching In

NAMED AFTER: Dr David Livingstone HEAD OF HOUSE: Mrs Fennah ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs Connelly ANTHEM: ‘Livingstone Lions’ with ‘Katie Perry ‘ROAR’’. Chanting ‘Livingstone! Hear us roar!’ on repeat

NAMED AFTER: Paula Radcliffe HEAD OF HOUSE: Mr Hogg ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs Grice ANTHEM: ‘Radcliffe, Radcliffe. Radcliffe …..on repeat! ‘

NAMED AFTER: Rosalind Franklin HEAD OF HOUSE: Mrs Woods ASSISTANT HOUSE OF HOUSE: Mrs Newnes ANTHEM: We are the champions

NEW BEGINNINGS AT LATHOM HIGH SCHOOL Lathom High School has marked the start of a new term by launching its new House system ensuring ‘a new House for everyone’ and welcoming many new students, parents and staff to the Skelmersdale school. In the first week of term, students were involved in a range of activities including visits to work with the major Liverpool museums and dramatic workshops with Skelmersdale company ‘Artz Academy’ focused on themes of identity. The week’s events culminated in a fantastic launch event at Robin Park Arena, Wigan, which was attended by the Mayor of West Lancashire, Cllr Nikki Hennessey.

As Lathom is growing in size significantly from September 2015, staff at the school felt that this provided an excellent opportunity to create a new House system with vertical tutoring to enable students from different year groups to support each other in Tutor groups and during Tutor time. Each day Tutor time provides the opportunity for students to focus together on Lathom’s core values of ‘Enjoy, Believe, Achieve’ and support each other to promote the very highest standards in all aspects of school life.

HOUSE PROFILE

LATHOM HIGH SCHOOL HOLDS ‘PRIMARY MATHS CHALLENGE’

On Tuesday 29 September, 13 local primary schools took part in Lathom High School’s ‘Primary Maths Challenge’. Students who attended the evening were presented with various maths challenges, competing against each other. The evening was a resounding success with Deputy Headteacher Mr Morris commenting that “it was good to see so many primary students enjoying maths with lots of support from parents, primary teachers and governors.” Parents were also given the opportunity to return to school to compete in a maths challenge as well! Individual certificates were given out to students for participating and prizes were awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place.

Head of Maths at Lathom, Mr Wilde said that “It was a fantastic evening, with all teams fully committed to trying to win the event. The effort levels and the maths ability shown were a joy to watch. A massive well done must go to the eventual winners from Brookfield Park. The high level of competitiveness was shown in the result, with only 2 points separating 1st and 3rd! Well done to everyone who took part!”

Many congratulations to the winners of the 2015 Lathom Primary Maths challenge.

The results were:

3rd St Thomas the Martyr Primary – Team members: Dominic Ford, Harry James, Jak Ford and Isobel Ware

2nd Cobbs Brow Primary – Team members: Harry Marsh, Harrison Cox, Logan Dunn and Ryan Parry

1st Brookfield Park Primary – Team members, Owen Hunt, Ryan Hunt, George Ager and Zac Taylor

Four Year 7 students from each ‘House’ at Lathom also competed. This provided an excellent opportunity for them to get involved in the primary event and they demonstrated their team spirit with determination not to let their House down!

The results were:

3rd Radcliffe House – Team members: Alice Eadie, Bradley Petty, Kaya Kwantreng and Sophie Heron

2nd Bronte House – Team members: Amy Lockhart, Ben J Jones, che Prunetti and Philip Woods

1st Livingstone House – Team members, Holly Cotton, Molly Neild, Elisha foster and Kaiza McCabe

Students and staff at Lathom High School would like to thank all of schools involved in the event, as it couldn’t run without their continued support and involvement.

JEANS FOR GENES

DAY

Students and staff at Lathom High School in Skelmersdale raised an amazing £1221.65 by holding a House uniform day with denim on ‘Jeans for Genes Day ‘, Friday 18 September. The event was a celebration of the school’s new House and vertical tutoring system, launched at Robin Park, Wigan the week before. Students and staff worked together in their Houses and there was strong competition to outperform the other Houses by raising the most money!

The motivation came from the Headteacher, Jane Galbraith and her designated charity for the year – ‘Joseph’s Goal’. The charity supports research to find better treatments and eventually a cure for Non-Ketotic Hyperglycinemia . The focus of the charity is Joseph Kendrick, a five year old boy who has NKH, a very rare life-limiting genetic disorder that severely affects his development. The whole school community is delighted to have made such a significant contribution to ‘Joseph’s Goal’. Find out more about the charity supported by Lathom High, your local community secondary school at www.josephsgoal.org.

WELCOME TO NEW STAFF Lathom are delighted to inform you of some new appointments within our school teaching, pastoral and admin.

Congratulations to Lee Baines, Rachel Baines, Amanda Baron, Christine Brown, Sharon Connelly, Lucie Golton, Debbie Grice, Collette Hoare, Rosalin Lazaroff, Paul Livesley, Louise Mawdsley, Helen McKinnon, Frank Meehan, Gemma Norris, Lindsey Penny, Alan Pye, Melanie Shanahan, Zoe Sherborne, Nicola Smith, Rachel Swords, Mike Sykes Wright, Susanna Taylor, Julie Thompson, Matthew Wilde.

Name: FRANK MEEHAN

What do you do at Lathom? I am the new Head of RE.

What does your role entail? Difficult this one. I am looking at ways to make Religious Education ‘cool’ in school. I think the majority of students enjoy the way I teach the lessons.I am looking into ways of getting all students to understand their responsibilities of being good spiritual, moral, social and cultural (SMSC) people.

What do you look forward to most in your new role? I look forward to taking on the challenge of putting RE on the ‘map’ of Lathom High School.

I also look forward to teaching the students the skills of discussion/debate and never being frightened of giving their own opinion as long as they can back it up.

Which house are you attached to? Radcliffe

What do you like about Lathom? The students along with the challenge of engaging them in the subject.

Favourite colour? Orange for its brightness and how it stands out among other colours.

Favourite film? ‘The long Kiss Goodnight’ (1996)

Favourite song? ‘Caledonia’ – Celtic song about missing the place of birth

Favourite food? Fish, chips and mushy peas from the chippy on a Friday night – It’s the law!

What football team do you support? Manchester United – the best team in the WORLD! I also follow Wigan Athletic as my local team.

One random thing about you? I am married with seven children

Name: DEBBIE GRICE

What do you do at Lathom? I am an Assistant Head of House.

What do you look forward to most in your new role? I look forward to getting to know the students and making every day in Lathom a good day.

What does your role entail? My role is to support students. I am here for students to talk to, remove any barriers to learning and encourage students in their daily lives at school.

Which house are you attached to? The best house Radcliffe.

What do you like about Lathom? I like the nice happy feeling around school and the bacon and cheese paninis!

Favourite colour? I can’t believe you’ve asked me that, it’s blue of course!

Favourite film? Grease.

Favourite song? Sweet Child of Mine.

Favourite food? That’s a difficult one, can’t decide between chocolate or cheese and grapes.

What football team do you support? I would like to say a blue team but my heart belongs to the reds, the fantastic Liverpool!

One random thing about you? I am a terrible singer so if there’s a karaoke about, don’t let me go on it or get your ear plugs out!

Lathom High School held its first ever Art; House competition on Friday 16 October. The competition was held in correlation to the national ‘BIG DRAW’ event. This year’s theme was ‘every picture tells a story’. The students involved were asked to think about their favourite book or story. They then based their artwork on their chosen book/story. Students spent the day in art, creating their art work.

There was one winner chosen for each year group and an overall winner. They are:Adrienn Baczur, Year 7, Bronte HouseSophie Parry, Year 8, Bronte HouseEmily Wakefield, Year 9, Livingstone HouseAilsa Hodge, Year 10, Rosalind House The work will be displayed in school, for other students to look at and enjoy.

Mrs Windridge Curriculum leader for Creative Arts said ‘We were very excited about the event and it was wonderful to see the art work that the students were creating throughout the day. Well done to all who participated’. Overall Winner, Livingstone House

Nathan Gallagher, year 10

FEEDBACK FROM PRIMARY

100% of parents and staff said their child/children enjoyed coming to Lathom High School

100% of parents and staff said they would be happy for their child/children to attend other primary programmes offered at Lathom High School.

100% of parents were happy with the service Lathom offered your child’s primary school.

92% of children enjoyed coming to Lathom High School.

93% of children enjoy the primary project they attended at Lathom High School.

85% of children would like to take part in other primary class offered at Lathom High School

NEW SENIOR PREFECT TEAM SELECTED

In the summer term we selected a new senior prefect team to take the lead for 2015/16. The year 10 hopefuls were put through the selection process and Head Teacher Mrs Galbraith recalled the calibre of applicants was extremely high.

We are delighted to announce that the following students have been successful and will start their new roles with immediate effect: Head Boy Adam Smith, Head Girl Amber Finlay, Deputy Head Boys Bradley Dowling and Jay McEverley, Deputy Head Girls Charlie Stoner and Alisha Parry, Head of Student support Chloe Vaill, School Council Molly Evans and Rebecca Brown, Senior Prefects Chris Collins, Michael Hart, Declan Heron, Bethany Muirhead, Matthew Ockleshaw, Bethany Robinson, Tesa Tomsone and Sports Captains, Rob Ward, Lucy Newby, Mia Ager, Abby Johnston and Sam Green – congratulations to all of you.

Lathom Life took the time to find out a little bit more about our new Head Boy and Head Girl;

Name: ADAM SMITHReason why you wanted to become Head Boy?I wanted to become Head Boy because I want to help improve the school in the best way I can and to listen to everyone’s views to improve Lathom for everyone to enjoy. I also wanted to become Head Boy because I enjoy working with everyone around me.

How did you feel when you found out the news?I was so pleased and excited to hear the news as I had achieved what I set out to do.

How are you planning on carrying out your role?By doing the best I can to help around school and make it enjoyable for all the students and the students who are yet to come to Lathom.

Name: AMBER FINLAYReason why you wanted to become Head Girl?I wanted to become Head Girl as I have always wanted an important role in school. I believed that it would be an honour to represent Lathom and it would to help improve the school the best I can.

How did you feel when you found out the news?When I found out I was Head Girl I was overjoyed and shocked at the same time! This role was something I had always wanted and when I achieved this I felt extremely proud.

How are you planning on carrying out your role?I will carry out my role by helping old and new students around school and aid them achieve their goals.

LHS STUDENTS VISIT ORMSKIRK COUNCIL CHAMBERS

On Wednesday 14 October twelve year 9 student’s visited Ormskirk Council Chambers for Local Democracy Week with Mayor Nikki Hennessey. Students were involved in discussions about

changing the law relating to anti-social behaviours. This then followed on by a vote. All students talked in depth with Nikki Hennessey about her role as Mayor and what the Chambers where used for. Afterwards, they were invited into the Mayors chamber to have some refreshments.

Miss Clarke who arranged and attended the day said “Students have experienced what our democracy system is like and are able to share their experiences with students across school. A lovely afternoon was had by all.”

WHAT’S COMING UP NEXT? Monday 9 November: Parents Drop in Surgery 1:40—4:20pm Wednesday 18 November: U13 Girls Football, at OrmskirkTuesday 24 November: Y9 Athletics, at St BedesThursdays 26 November: Y12 Awards EveningMonday 30 November: Parents Drop in Surgery 1:40—4:20pm Tuesday 1 December: Y11 District Badminton Lathom & OLQPWednesday 2 December: Christmas Talent Show—7pm Thursday 3 December: Y10 District Badminton Lathom & OLQPMonday 7 December: Parents Drop in Surgery 1:40—4:20pm

Tuesday 3 December: Y19 District Badminton Lathom & OLQPWednesday 5 December: Y8 District Badminton Lathom & OLQPThursday 10 December: Y11 Christmas CelebrationSaturday 12 & Sunday 13 December: Y11 France Christmas Market TripMonday 14 December: Parents Drop in Surgery 1:40—4:20pm Tuesday 15 December: Y8 Subject Consultation EveningThursday 17 December: Christmas Reward Trip

LHS SPORTS NEWS

LHS Celebrate Cross Country

Success

On the 12 October 2015 Lathom High School went to Tarleton for cross country. We took years 7, 8 and 9. The people who stood out for Lathom were Jodi Kay, Leo McKenna and Saul Dale. They all achieved top 10.

When everybody went to Tarleton they were quite excited but when those three people came in the top ten they were quite pleased. The reason why Jodi, Leo and Saul stood out is because they were determined and never gave up. So out of about 45 students they gained an amazing achievement.

By Jodi Kay, year 8, Radcliffe House.

Sky Sports Living Athlete Natasha Jonas visits LHS

On Wednesday 14 October, Lathom welcomed Sky Sports Living Athlete Natasha Jonas. During her time with us Natasha spoke to our GCSE PE cohort about her journey into boxing and the barriers she had to overcome to be successful. She then went on to deliver a boxing master class to students from years 7-10.

Year 7 student Sophie Heron relished the opportunity “we had so much fun and it was hard work, we learnt valuable skills. Even our teachers joined in some of the challenges, it was that good I am now trying to find a club to join”.