newsletter - whitworth community high school · band in a performance of ‘any dream will do’....

Hallfold, Whitworth, Rochdale Lancashire, OL12 8TS Tel (01706) 343218 www.wchs.co

Newsletter

Climbing higher!

Summer Term 2018 Issue 12 27th April 2018

School Website : www.wchs.co

Calendar

4th June 2018 School Re-Opens

8th & 9th June 2018 DofE Y10 Assessed

WC 11th June 2018

Y6 Primary Visits

WC 18th June 2018 Y6 Primary Visits

22nd June 2018

Y5/6 Parents/Carers Coffee Morning

May 2018

July 2018

7th May 2018 School closed

May Day

11th May 2018 DofE expedition

14th May 2018 GCSE Exams

Start

25th May 2018 School closes half term

June 2018

2nd July 2018 DofE Silver

Expedition Prep Day

Dear parents and carers

Colleagues from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service delivered a timely Assembly for Y10 and Y11 students today regarding the dangers of going into open water – reservoirs, lakes, rivers etc. It was shocking to hear that open water accidents are the third highest cause of death in young people under the age of 16, and that 12-18 yrs olds are the most likely victims. Their message was clear: stay out of open water in order to stay safe.

The selection process for our new senior prefect team is well underway, and candidates gave their group presentations to the School Leadership Team this week. Whilst there have certainly been very strong performances in past years, the Leadership Team was unanimous that these were the best prepared, best delivered examples and that our candidates showed a genuine understanding of the school’s ethos and values.

Next week’s Assemblies will focus on our Expectations, with reminders about what our Expectations mean students should not do, as well as what they are required to do. Please ensure your child sets off for school wearing uniform correctly; with an appropriate hairstyle; without jewellery; without a mobile phone; and with full equipment, or money to purchase missing items at the school shop. We set our standards high, and expect everyone to meet them at all times. If you are unsure, please check your child’s Planner or, if in doubt, contact school.

Alongside our ongoing academic focus, this has been another busy and enjoyable week for extra-curricular and enrichment activities. The joint concert on Wednesday, the theatre visit, sporting events including orienteering have all provided excellent opportunities for students, and there have been many positive comments from visitors and audiences about the performances and excellent behaviour of our students.

Next week we have Governors’ Meetings: Teaching, Learning, Assessment and Outcomes; Personal Development, Behaviour and Welfare; and Leadership, Management and Resources. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our governing body who make the time to attend our meetings and read the required documentation in order to offer support and challenge to the leadership team, and who all offer additional commitment whether that be through attending school events, undertaking training, chairing a committee, offering specialist advice, school visits and lesson observations, Behaviour and Attendance Panels, or through supporting the staff recruitment process. We have a strong and knowledgeable team of governors who know our school well as Ofsted recognised: ‘governors have a good understanding of the school’s strengths and what needs to be improved further’ and I am very grateful for their continued support.

Best wishes

Hallfold, Whitworth, Rochdale Lancashire, OL12 8TS Tel (01706) 343218 Newsletter

Climbing higher! School Website : www.wchs.co

Musical evening at school

On Wednesday evening the school hosted a joint concert featuring WCHS bands, WCHS choir,

Britannia Primary School choir and the 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band. The event had been

rescheduled from March due to the inclement Whitworth weather. The 2nd Rossendale Scout Group

Band opened the evening with a wonderful version of a piece called ‘Prismatic Light’. This was

followed by other pieces which showcased soloists from the band. WCHS choir sang a beautiful

version of Wings, followed by True Colours. Local opera singer Sean Ruane joined the choirs and the

band in a performance of ‘Any Dream Will Do’. The 2nd half of the concert involved the WCHS

beginner band and the wind band, and the audience were treated to a great solo by our very own

baritone player, Josh Dunning. The finale was a highly entertaining rendition of an Abba medley

performed by the 2nd Rossendale Scout Group Band and the choirs from WCHS and Britannia Primary

School. During the show, Rossendale Opera singer, Sean Ruane presented certificates to students of

the WCHS choir for their recent performance at the Hearts and Voices event at Blackburn Cathedral.

Everyone had a fantastic evening of music and song and it was amazing to see just how many students

are involved in musical activities both in school and outside of school. Refreshments were served

during the interval and a raffle was organised with a number of prizes up for grabs. Students from the

school Charity Group were on hand to help out with the raffle which raised £61 towards our

fundraising activities for our chosen charities this year. Thank you and well done to everyone involved

in the evening, in particular, to students from WCHS and Britannia Primary School and the 2nd

Rossendale Scout Group Band.


Newsletter


The Man

As his brittle fingers clutched the remnants of the wizened petals, an involuntary shiver shot down his spine; the mid-winter frost seeping through his bones. The hat that had witnessed many terrors was perched lightly atop his balding head. Emitting a soft glow, the nearby street lamp highlighted the threadbare patches of his worn jacket. All was silent as the powdery snow cascaded down from the gentle sky. The bench he was resting on quietly groaned in reluctance as the nails that held it together were smothered in bronze rust. The man himself was haggard and discontalated, chilled through to the bone, he couldn’t feel a thing. Horrifying ghosts of his past still haunted his dreams, twisting them into tortuous nightmares. The face of the man was aged with worry, permanent lines scarred him. The faint crinkles at the corners of his ashy grey eyes were the only remainder of his once joyful childhood. Weak bones pressed harshly against the cadaverous skin which bore dry, unknown tears. His beard was carelessly ruffled and hung gloomily from his feeble face. Scarlet from the piercing cold, his ears barely picked up a sound anymore, a result of the unendurable wars he had been tormented through. Lingering around his frame, the musty smell of his tattered jacket hung in the fine air. Memories of his tender wife engulfed his mind: warm hazelnut eyes that glistened when she laughed, silky golden hair that fell perfectly around her shoulders, a cheerful smile that made her glow and a benevolent heart that cared for everything she saw. The man had treasured every moment he had spent with his delicate wife, only for her to be maliciously snatched out his life. His grimy fingers thoughtfully twisted the carmine petals, shielding them from the numbing winds which occasionally whipped through him. Ancient and grubby, his dilapidated leather boots rested wearily on the blanket of white that embed the mossy cobblestone beneath him. Overhead, the midnight blue sky was crowded a velvety candyfloss mist that enclosed the man and his atrocious past from everything and anything else.

Ella Lord’s Wiining entry for the Creative Writing Competition


Sportspage


Charley Leech - Y11

Signed professional youth team forms with Oldham yesterday and will play for them next season.


Sportspage


Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition Bronze Practice

Mr Clayton, Mr Cawley, Miss Masztalerz and Mr Crook led 18 pupils to Ashworth Valley for their Bronze practice Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Expedition. Pupils learnt key navigation and camping skills, all together as team. They had to cook for themselves and carry all their food and equipment over the two day expedition. Overall the two days were a great success with both staff and pupils enjoying the experience. The pupils are now preparing for and planning their assessed expedition. There are now three separate year groups taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh’s award at Whitworth Community High school. For those who are taking part it offers enrichment to their school life, useful skills for the future and is an attractive addition to their Curriculum vitae.

newsletter - whitworth community high school · band in a performance of ‘any dream will do’....

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