Headlines December 2014

GRANGE SCHOOL

Headlines

Christmas Retold Tuesday 16th December was Christmas Retold at The Grange School. Over 50 students from Years 7 – 11 performed a variety of musical items including dance, solos, duets, ensembles, a Christmas rap and our very own choirs Accascuse Me and The Treble Makers.

The evening, which was a huge success, showed off the true talent of our students who performed to a wonderful audience that joined in with the final song “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”.

A very generous audience enjoyed purchasing mulled apple juice (alcohol free Mulled Wine) and mince pies to further their Christmas spirit and all monies raised are going towards the Music Department Grand Piano fund.

A huge well done to all the students involved and a special thank you to all the staff who supported the music department in ensuring a very successful evening.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Alumni - Mrs Lianne Murphy (Nee Hopkins) The Grange, to me, is like home.

Before

After leaving school with 11 A*-C GCSEs and 4 A-Levels I continued

Through

my studies at Liverpool Hope University, a true dream to be the first

School’ existed I tested the idea. Working

in my family to gain a university degree, thanks, in the main, to the

my way from The Grange Nursery, through

inspirational teaching and excellent pastoral care at The Grange.

the

notion

of

an

‘All

the Primaries, and enjoying 5 years at the Secondary School before moving on to, where else? ....The Grange 6th

Form. The building may have changed, some of the staff may

have changed but the heart of The Grange remains, the same community spirit that helped me through 15 years of education and prepared me for the ‘Real World’ is as strong today as it was all those years ago.

The support, encouragement and above all belief the staff had in me throughout my school life enabled me to reach my potential

After 3 fantastic, mind-opening years at university studying Education and Drama I left Liverpool with an Upper Second Class Degree and an aspiration to return to the Grange and continue learning from supporting students through their school careers.

I have been a member of the school staff for 9 years and the pride

of being a member of the school Alumni is comparable only to the pride I feel as I work daily with students like myself, students who have aspirations and are willing to work hard to achieve their very best.

academically and importantly the schools hidden curriculum, the ethos of ASPIRE was as present during my time as a pupil as it so evidently is today.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Loggerheads - A river runs through it Over a cold and windy 12th and 13th of November, sixty year 10s ventured to the wet and wintery River Alyn at Loggerheads in North Wales. As part of their Geography GCSE controlled assessment, they had to conduct an investigation into different features of the river.

Armed with highly scientific equipment such as tape measures, clinometers, measuring poles and Satsumas, they embarked on their adventures. Unfortunately, as the weather was treacherous, Mr McGovern and Mr Willmott did the wading, and a variety of measurements were taken.

Maths Teaser Last month’s question and answer

This month’s teaser has a festive flavour to it!

The water was cold and deep but the intrepid explorers managed to relay the information back to the river bank for the teams to collect data. Finally, with river defences reviewed, water velocities verbalised and meanders measured, all with various scientific pieces of equipment (seriously, even the Satsumas were used) we asked the big question – “Did our river follow the Bradshaw model?” The answer was a simple but resounding “NO!” It is now up to the Year 10s to explain why.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Year 10 and 11 Inter House 5-a-side Football Tournament Friday 28th November 2014 In a hard fought tournament, involving Y10 and Y11 male and female students, the results of the 4 games played were as follows:

Game One

Castle House 3

Priory House 0

Game Two

Bridgewater House 5

Brindley 0

3rd and 4th play off (on penalties)

Priory House 1

Bridgewater House 0

1st and 2nd play off

Castle House 1

Brindley House 5

Special mention must be made of Joe Gough and John Brown who scored most of Brindley’s goals and were instrumental in them winning the coveted trophy.

Many thanks to Miss Carroll, for stepping in at the last minute, to referee the games and to all students who took part.

It was an excellent tournament which was played in a very competitive but friendly way.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Manager of the month November 2014 House Competition ‘ATW’ managed by Miss Antwis, assisted by George Timms and Liam Gayter, were the team of the month in November with 166 points. They represent PRIORY HOUSE in the competition and were at the top of the leader board at the end of November.

Individual Competition ‘Symes FC’ have finally knocked Mr Carney off top spot with 176 points. Miss Symes, from our Primary Phase, is proving to be a most successful manager and is still in overall first place as we go to press.

Media Hub MAD Visit Having proven themselves in an application and interview process, it was time for the 10 successful students to make their way to MAD Productions in Widnes. These students will be the first cohort of students involved in the new Media Hub which starts at The Grange in January. The day began with a brainstorming of ideas about the name for the Media Hub. Students were split into two teams of creative brains to produce a logo for the hub. After a competitive afternoon of ‘Photoshopping’ & designing, we are proud to introduce #T@G Team as our group of budding media minds. The group are now looking forward to their visit to Media City in January, where they will begin to produce their own short films about events within the school and local community. Look out for updates from the team and ways that you can get involved in the future.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Debate Mate is Going Great In the last issue, we introduced our readers to Debate Mate - a national scheme to improve the oracy and thinking skills of young people through the medium of formal debate. Since then, students have been working hard in Debate Mate, and many have already become much more self-confident, both in and out of school. Our pupils have improved their speaking and listening skills immensely, and are practising hard for their first competition.

Two of our most enthusiastic debaters, Chloe Day and Cobi Campbell, are having “a fantastic time” in Debate Mate. Cobi went on to explain how Debate Mate helps him understand how to argue properly and see both sides. It’s clear from watching the group sessions that our students have developed their debating skills really quickly.

At the end of January 2015, The Grange School will be hosting the first round of the Debate Mate Urban Debate League Competition for schools in the Liverpool area.

National Speaking Competition A dedicated group of students from Debate Mate have also entered the national Youth Speaks competition. Whilst separate from the Debate Mate programme, this speaking competition encompasses many of the same skills our students are learning through debating.

The Youth Speaks competition is a well-established and successful competition promoted by Rotary International in Britain and Ireland. It is a four-stage competition, designed to support and encourage development of effective communication skills. After entering a team in both the Intermediate and Senior age groups, The Grange School was successful in the local heats.

We are now preparing for the District Competition round for Halton Borough, which will take place in February 2015.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Anti-Bullying Ambassadors - National Anti-Bullying Week/Conference As part of The Grange School’s continuous involvement in Anti-Bullying Week, six of the school’s Anti-Bullying Ambassadors were selected to attend The National Anti-Bullying Conference at Blackpool’s Winter Gardens on Wednesday 12th November. Over 400 other young people and staff from all over the North of the country attended the event!

Three of the students participated in a creative writing workshop led

by X Factor semi-finalist Emily Middlemass whilst the other members of the group were taught how to be an effective public speaker by You Tuber twins Niki and Sammy Alban.

Upon arrival the students were issued with their own ambassador t-shirts and given goodie packs containing pens, notebooks, sweets and most Aft er lunch, t he st udent s importantly their own Anti-Bullying Ambassador badges. They were also given participated in their second the opportunity to have instant pictures taken with anti-bullying slogans. workshop with half of the group participating in a photography session with members of Facebook Uk whilst the others utilised their creative skills in a The day began with actor and presenter Ceallach Spellman leading a Drama workshop led by Max Bowden from Waterloo Road. question and answer session. This involved students posing questions to a After the students showcased their tremendous talents, the guests were panel of guests. These included members of the Anti-Bullying Ambassador treated to a live performance of the anti-bullying song “Hopeful” by Bars and Youth Board, the Policy and Programme Manager from Facebook Uk and Melody. This was a very popular choice in the room! representatives from the NSPCC and Childline. Also on the panel were Bars and Melody, new singing sensations, from this At the end of the day, there was a huge balloon release outside the year’s Britain’s Got Talent and Simon Cowell’s conference centre. Each balloon had attached to it an anti-bullying pledge written by the students. A video diary of the entire day can be seen at the “golden buzzer” choice. following website: http://www.antibullyingpro.com/ After this the students then participated in two workshops for the remainder of the day. Back at school, Ambassadors sold “positive cakes” to students and proceeds These were led by anti-bullying celebrity from this event were donated to the school’s current charity, Teenage supporters. The workshops encouraged the Cancer Trust. There were also two competitions during the week for students young people to explore bullying in a to take part in, Holly Banner and Ebony Roberts won the Celebrity Anticreative way through song, rap, dance, Bullying Quiz and Emily Mahon and Shannon Kneale were successful in the vlogging, graffiti, public speaking and highly competitive Anti-Bullying picture/ poetry competition. Certificates and prizes were awarded to the winners! photography.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Uniform and appearance Standards of appearance have continued to be maintained at a high level and I would like to thank parents and carers for your assistance in helping us to achieve this. I trust you will continue to support us next term too.

The Grange School Uniform is:

Physical Education Uniform is: 

A navy, red and white round neck t-shirt



Navy blue shorts



Navy blue socks



Trainers but not canvas type shoes (e.g. converse)



The P.E uniform can be purchased exclusively through the school office



White shirt (Stiff collar)



House Tie (clip on)



School Blazer (Grey with badge)



School Jumper, which is optional (Black with the school name embroidered and available only from the school)



A student will be required to remove excess items of jewellery or clothing if this can be done safely and decently



Black skirt or Pinafore dress





Black Trousers (must be plain, not denims, jeans or chords)

The students will be warned that their current dress is inappropriate and given a time limit to correct.



Black shoes (plain, leather and polished)



The student will be isolated from mainstream classes, including break and lunchtime, until they agree to comply with the uniform rules.



Black socks



The student will be sent home to change into proper school uniform or to dress properly. If this occurs it should be made absolutely clear that this is not a Fixed Term Exclusion and the student is welcome back in school properly dressed in accordance with the school rules. Students will only be sent home after contact is made with parent/carer.



Students who do not follow the school rules on hair, will be placed in the BSB until their hair colour is back to normal or their hair pattern has been altered to fit in with the school rules. Persistent flouting of this rule may lead to a Fixed Term

Enforcement For minor breaches of School Uniform Policy, both teaching and support staff may use some or all of the following sanctions :

In addition, we will allow one plain, stud earring in each ear and a watch, no other jewellery or piercings.

Appearance Students must also attend school with a sensible hairstyle. Extreme hair colours and styles are not allowed. Excessive and obvious make up is prohibited although a modest application is permissible.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

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Thank you and farewell

Mrs Jackson began working in the secondary leadership team last summer and made an immediate impact. Her experience up until then had been in the Grange Juniors as an outstanding practitioner then gaining promotion through to Deputy Headteacher and for a six month period, Acting Headteacher.

It came as no surprise then, when Mrs Jackson told me earlier this term that she had been successful in her application to become Headteacher at Grappenhall Primary School. I wish her well.

Mrs Stagg joined the school in September 1980 but back then she was known as Miss Brayford. Over that time she has taught mathematics to countless generations of Grange students as well getting married and starting her own family. Her dedication to this school has been unswerving, serving us superbly in the classroom and as a member of the school’s Senior Leadership Team. Even in retirement, I have no doubt that Mrs Stagg will continue to hold the Grange dear to her heart.

Also leaving at the end of term are:

After 29 years dedicated service to the school, Mr Davis is leaving us and moving to the delightful Yorkshire Dales. His time as Curriculum Leader for science has seen many changes as we have broadened the qualifications on offer.

Outside science, Mr Davis introduced the idea and organisation behind Grange Graduation which has become an annual fixture enjoyed by many. It won’t seem quite the same without him, his beaming smile and his bow tie!

Mr Milne, the inimitable Head of Castle House whose versatility and exuberance we will miss but will no doubt still hear (!) and Mrs Carmichael who has spoken to lots of parents on the first day of a child’s absence from school and who has helped improve our attendance rate significantly over that time.

Thank you to all for their hard work and commitment and I wish them all good fortune and happiness in the future.

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.

GRANGE SCHOOL

Headlines Term dates

Thank you for your continued support and on behalf of all the staff at the Grange may I extend to you season’s greetings.

Please watch our festive video www.thegrange.com and follow the link

by

visiting:

School re-opens to students on Monday 5th January 2015 at 8:30am

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Term

Opens

Closes

Spring 1

Monday 5th January 2015

Friday 13th February 2015

Spring 2

Monday 23rd February 2015

Thursday 2nd April 2015

Summer 1*

Monday 20th April 2015

Friday 22nd May 2015

Summer 2

Monday 1st June

Thursday 16th July 2015

* School is closed on Bank Holiday Monday 4th May 2015.

Event

Date

Year 7 Parents Evening

Thursday 15th January 2015

Year 11 Parents Evening

Thursday 22nd January 2015

Year 8 Parents Evening

Thursday 12th February 2015

Follow us on www.thegrange.com www.facebook.com/grangeschool @grange_school

The Monthly Newsletter for Parents and Carers from the Head of School, Mr B. Carney.