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The Heath
FEBRUARY 2011
The Heath has ‘Got talent’, ‘The WOW Factor’ Oh... and John Bishop! December 17th saw a very special guest visit The Heath in the shape of nationally acclaimed comedian, John Bishop. Credit for organising such a visit was largely down to his niece, Amy Bishop (10NHR.) John’s whistle stop tour of The Heath involved visiting his nieces form where he spent time talking to the students, signing autographs and copies of his latest DVD. During this time he was offered jokes and new material from both Mr Holmes and Mr Gregory, but he sadly declined such an offer.
He was then whisked off to the school hall where he presented the separate acts in the red house Christmas assembly. “It was easy to see why he’s won many comedy awards “replied one student as he kept the jokes flying. As you can imagine, such a visit caused a stir at The Heath and John certainly had his work cut out signing autographs for both staff and students long after the school had finished for the Christmas break!
If you know of anything happening in and around our school community, let us know, or if you have any comments about the newsletter email: stewartd@heathschool.org.uk
The
Heath
ADULT COMMUNITY CLASSES STARTING JAN 2011
Classes to include: Bootcamp
Floodlit Bootcamp at the Heath will help you get fitter faster…and it’s so much more fun than working on your own or in a gym. A positive mental attitude, team spirit and a commitment to hard graft is what’s needed to get you through, but you’ll feel superb after every session. Starting Thursday 20th January 2011 8 week course - £15
The Hips Don’t Lie!
Latin Dance Workout is a lively solo dance-fitness class for adults. Come along to a fun and effective class which will feel more like a night out than a work out! Starting Thursday 20th January 2011 8 week course - £15
Come Dine with Me
Our inspirational cookery course led by Linda Weaver (of Smooth Radio fame) makes it possible for everyone to recapture or ignite their passion for cooking. Book early as places are limited. Starting Thursday 20th January 2011 8 week course -£25
Relax, Renew Rejuvenate
Yoga improves the health and fitness of our body, mind and spirit. Regular practice enables an increased level of movement and suppleness in the body, improved circulation, better balance and posture. For a more relaxed and rejuvenated start to 2011 come along to our Thursday night Yoga class for adults Starting Thursday 20th January 2011 8 week course -£15
Improve the Mind
Academic Courses in Maths, ICT, English and French are available to book at various times. Contact us for more details. For more info on any of the above course contact Kate Allerston, Community Development Officer at The Heath Technology College on 01928 576664 or email kallerston@heathschool.org.uk
Thursdays 6-9pm - Enquiries: 01928 576664
Do you know who your child is talking to online?
Do they know who they are talking to online? We have had numerous incidents, mainly on Facebook where unfortunately students have accepted unknown “friends”. In some of these cases the person is requesting webcam contact which is wholly inappropriate. All the students in the school have been spoken to on numerous occasions regarding the dangers of the internet and in particular keeping themselves safe on Social Networking websites. We are now asking for your help in this too. Our message to all students is: • • • • • •
Do not accept anyone to Facebook that you wouldn’t invite to your home to meet your parents / carers Treat your password like your toothbrush – share it with no one Only upload photographs that you would be happy for your parents / carers to see Keep your settings so that only friends can view your information and photographs Do not have details of your school listed or photographs of you in your school uniform. This makes you very easy to find if someone is so inclined With girls in particular, don’t have a profile picture that is suggestive in any way or shows a large amount of skin. These are the photographs that attract interest from undesirable people
Please discuss these issues with your son / daughter. Please help us in ensuring that they remain safe in both the real and the online worlds. Our aim is to ensure students are safe and protected at all times Be aware of professional sources of help. These include: www.thinkuknow.co.uk: the main UK Government website with advice for parents on how to keep children safe online www.ceop.police.uk: the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) is the Government body dedicated to eradicating abuse of children. Concerns about inappropriate contacts between a child and an adult, including online, can be reported directly to CEOP. www.iwf.org.uk: the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) works to remove illegal material from the internet. If you have found any material you believe to be illegal e.g. child sex abuse images, other obscene material or material which incites racial hatred, you can report it to the IWF. A number of specialist websites contain general advice that may be of help to parents. These include www.nspcc.org.uk, www.nch.org.uk, www.barnardos.org.uk, and www.beatbullying.org. Other sites can offer parents support on broader issues. These include www.parentlineplus.org.uk
Facebook Users: Visit www.facebook.com/clickceop to add the ‘ClickCEOP’ app to your profile and ask your children to do the same. The app is free and easy to use, and gives you immediate access to internet safety advice as well as being able to report any suspicions to us. If you become a ‘friend’ of the page, we will invite you to our free online safety surgeries and send you updates. By clicking on ‘Add the App’ on the left hand side of our Facebook page you can add the ‘ClickCEOP’ button to your profile.
TOP GUN Liam Cato enjoyed a day with RAF in Formby. He had the opportunity to fly in a Grob Tutor and was even allowed to take control of the aircraft, under close supervision of course! The opportunity arose from a careers fair organised by HBC and attended by all Y11 pupils.
The Heath presents ‘Bugsy Malone’ The H ea th is curre n tl y buzzing with the anticipation of trilbies and splurge guns as ‘Bugsy Malone’ opens on February 23rd! Members of the cast, led by Mr Stewart and Miss dale, visited Victoria Road, Weston and M oore Pr imar y s c h o o l s earlier this month to deliver workshops on the classic musical. The Year 6’s thoroughly enjoyed the day and are now looking forward to the matinee show where they will also be joined by Pewithall, All Saints and Westfield year 6 students on Tueday 22nd. Tickets for ‘Bugsy Malone’ are now on sale from school at £3.50 and the show is running from 2 3rd - 2 5th F e b r u a r y. Students and staff are busy finishing sets, measuring for costumes and perfecting their New York accents! With show stopping musical number and dance troupes like you’ve never seen you’d be a fool to miss it so get your tickets now!
PET FOOD APPEAL Each winter, thousands of unwanted cats and dogs are left at animal shelters. Some are left because their owners can no longer look after them due to illness or financial difficulties; many are simply dumped because people no longer want them. W h i le t h e a n i m a l s h e lt e r s d o everything they can to look after and rehome the animals, the huge increase in animal numbers over the winter means they often run short on food supplies – this is where you come in! Mr Robson with the help of his art classes are collecting pet food from now until Easter. You can get involved by bringing along to room 44 as much unopened, indate dry or wet food as you can. We are also collecting any new pet toys. The collection will be taken to Freshfields animal centre on the last day of term. Let’s try and beat the total from last year! Thanks Mr. Robson
Extra Curricular Clubs at the Heath A new reward system has been put in place to encourage students to attend extra curricular clubs. Each pupil receives a reward card and can gain free meals from the Canteen and the opportunity to win JJb vouchers. Check out our timetable for what’s happening at The Heath PE Department! The Badminton Team had success in their recent Halton event, winning the overall tournament. The team:
Safer Internet Day 8 February 2011
It's more than a game, it's your life Safer Internet Day is organised by Insafe each year in February to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology and mobile phones, especially amongst children and young people across the world. The topic for 2011 is "our virtual lives" around the slogan " It's more than a game, it's your life".
Ben Woodward, James Chapelhow, Joe McGurty, Katie Woodward, Danny Adams, Tedddy Chapelhow, Ryan Hughes The Heath recently hosted the Runcorn primary table tennis tournament. A big thank you to all the Yr 10 Young Leaders who helped on the day by officiating and scoring. They received lots of praise from Halton’s competition manager and the table tennis development officer. All the primary pupils had a great afternoon! The Young Leaders were:
Scott Dutton, Steven Woodward, Britney Craig, Danny Adams, James Chapelhow, Teddy Chapelhow, Sean Robinson, Tom Butler, Rebecca Fisher, Emma Morgan, Danielle Sampson, Charlette de Toms Scott, Holly Tobin, Megan Jenner, Abbie Hancox, Ellie Wilkinson, Rebecca Jacobs, Amy Wignall, Joe McGurty, Robyn Capewell and Shannon Watson. Our netball teams were in action this week, playing The Grange. The Year 7 team won 1-0 but unfortunately, the year 10 team lost their game. More fixtures have been set up for the coming month.
In 2010 Safer Internet Day was celebrated through over 500 events in 65 countries all over the world.
Dance Mrs Barnes took a group of dancers to a workshop at LIPA, where the girls studied a variety of different dances from around the world. They then entered a competition to showcase what they had learned and, with the h e l p o f L a u r a , t h e y choreographed a fantastic dance. The girls put on a terrific performance which made us all very proud.
‘Heath’s Got Talent’ 2011
Leadership Partner School Conference This January, as part of our Leadership Partner School committments, the Heath organised and hosted our first conference, at the Stobart Stadium, involving Educational Senior Leaders from Halton and surrounding boroughs. Sir John Jones was our dynamic and inspirational Key Note Speaker, who brought wisdom, insight, passion and humour to the conference along with a plethora of experience. Having been Head Teacher in three secondary schools in the NorthWest, Sir John Jones was knighted for his services to education in 2003, and his message of hope, the importance of good teaching and his ‘magic weaving ‘ ethos, motivated and rejuvenated all who were present. In the afternoon workshops were delivered by three experienced leaders of education. Heather Mullaney, Head Teacher at the Heath spoke about the importance of rigorous self evaluation, which gave the delegates tangible, practical and sound advice to use in their own school. Simon Robinson , Head Teacher from Barton Hill Primary in Bristol, delivered workshops on creative leadership, which centred around his philosophy that vision+action +passion= success. Bob Mitchell, Vice Principal at Beauchamp College, Leicestershire, lead afternoon sessions on how to run a successful and vibrant extended services programme, creating a year round 24 hour school that is tailored to the needs of it’s community. A great day all round ‐ the comments and evaluations were very positive. Delegates said they felt valued and inspired – which encourages us , as a Leadership Partner School, to organize and host similar events in the future.
Trip with Weston Primary to Liverpool: 28th January 2011: The day started at Weston Primary where the JLT were split up and put into groups with the kids. Adam, Jennah and Rebecca went with Reception, I went with Bethan and Tom with year one and year two, Ben and Callum went with year three and year 4 and Fiona and Lucy went with the year fives and sixes, all of us heading to the city of Liverpool, a topic the pupils at Weston had been previously studying. For the first part of the day, my group headed to the Anglican cathedral in Liverpool. The Anglican cathedral is the largest in the UK and the 5th largest in the World. We were given a quick tour of the vast sandstone building, which the pupils of Weston Primary found very interesting. When the tour had finished we were each given two Weston primary students to look after in the busy streets of Liverpool as we walked over to the Radio City tower. It wasn’t hard to find our way; the tower was a giant amongst the rest of the city, which made it fantastic to be at the top of and witness the amazing city below. Adam Whitehouse: Reception Class Jennah-Rae Turner, Rebecca Le Breton and I visited the Merseyside Maritime museum with the reception pupils, where we learnt lots about ships such as the titanic. This was very useful and interesting for the students as they had recently been learning about ships. After this we then went to the Radio City tower where we got an elevator up to see a full view of Liverpool. We all had great fun and learnt a great deal about Liverpool’s history. Ben Woodward: Year three and four I was paired up with Callum and spent the day with the Year 4’s. We spent the first half of the day at the Bluecoat gallery learning about the art there and doing some marbling (ink coloured water is swirled round and paper in placed on top to create an interesting effect). Then after lunch we went up the Radio City tower. The views were amazing! After that we went back to the blue coat to learn about the heritage of the former school. It was a really good day and experience, I really enjoyed it. Fiona Gray: Year five and six We began our day in the famous Beatles museum on the Albert Dock. The children were asked to carry out several tasks including designing their own guitar cover and even dressing up as the Beatles would have done! Everyone was filled with excitement and we took our trip down to the pierhead where we were going to watch a fantastic 4D story, based on what the children (and ourselves) had learned. To bring our day to an end we were given the privilege of going to the top of the Radio City tower, where we could see for miles over what really is an amazing city. Everyone had a fantastic day and I speak on behalf of everyone when I say we should meet again sometime!
The Heath School PTA The Heath parent & Teacher Association supports the school through a number of activities and particularly through raising funds to help the school purchase additional equipment & resources.
DISCO’s les Plant sa t Sales o o B r a C
Parents can you support the PTA? There are many ways to contribute to the school and the PTA. Join the PTA. Help out at events. Donate gifts for raffle prices .
Attend events and contribute by making them a success and an enjoyable experience for all
If you are interested Please contact G.Burchall 01928 576664 burchallg@heathschool.org.uk
Dyslexia Awareness for Parents and Carers
Music
•Would you like to find out more about Dyslexia?
Music Successes!!
•Would you like to meet other parents and carers of dyslexic students?
Congratulations to the Heath Japanese Taiko Drumming Group “Taiko Hashi” who recently performed at the Riverside Arts Centre with the famous Mugenkyo Taiko Group. The team spent the day training with the professionals and performed for local primary schools in the afternoon. They were fantastic!
•Are you a dyslexic parent or carer? Informal meetings for parents / carers will be held in the CSI from 3.30 – 4.30 pm on the following dates: •
Session 1: Understanding Dyslexia - 24th February
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Session 2: Strategies to help a dyslexic student – 3rd March
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Session 3: Dyslexia Friendly Schools - 17th March
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Session 4: Support for dyslexic parents /carers – 24th March
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Session 5: Understanding visual stress / Irlen Syndrome – 31st March
If you would like to attend any of the above sessions please ring school and leave your name and contact number. If you would like any further information please contact Mrs McCoy or Mrs Russell in the Learning Support Department.
Also well done to the singing group who have entertained the elderly at their Christmas Meal at Evenwood Farm. The singers performed a selection of festive favourites, and a special well done to Rachel Marshall, Katie Woodward, Georgina Hurdsfield and Megan Holland who all sang a solo. Well done everyone!
The Heath - A Specialist Technology College Closure Dates 2011/2012 SCHOOL CLOSES
SCHOOL REOPENS TO STUDENTS Monday 5th September 2011
Friday 21st October 2011
Monday 31st October 2011
Friday 16th December 2011
Wednesday 4th January 2012
Friday 10th February 2012
Monday 20th February 2012
Thursday 29th March 2012
Monday 16th April 2012
Friday 4th May 2012
Monday 8th May 2012
Friday 1st June 2012
Monday 11th June 2011
Thursday 19th July 2011
Inset Days Thursday 1st September 2011 Friday 2nd September 2011 Friday 7th October 2011 Tuesday 3rd January 2012 Friday 30th March 2012