MATHEMATICS, COMPUTING AND APPLIED LEARNING SPECIALIST
50 Fifty Years serving the community
50th Anniversary News ‘Memories’ Book Launch Latest News & Trip Updates
Newsletter Summer 2010
Latest News
Memories Book Launch The theme was the 'World Cup' and the pupils had to research countries that were taking part and design a sandwich to represent them. Over forty entries were forwarded to the College and four were selected to take part in the final. Emily Wade (8JWa), Alex Fenwick (8JWa), Heather Bowden (7ZI) and Katie Smith (7ZI) were invited to the College's professional kitchens to produce their creations in exactly one hour! Unfortunately, Alex was ill on the day of the final, but the three girls did magnificently against tough competition from schools from all over the region. All received commendations from the judges and Heather achieved 3rd place overall with her 'Italian Baguette.’ Miss M McLoughlin
Not everybody likes school. Some people find it hard to make friends, do not feel brave in lessons or worry that they are not doing well enough. The TreeHouse is here to help improve confidence. We work in small groups with adults and other pupils, doing targeted activities, going out on trips, cooking and sharing meals and experiences together which make school an easier and happier place to be.
The
Miss A McCormick and Mrs S Rimmer
Summer 2010
To celebrate the 50th anniversary of Holmfirth High School a group of nine Year 9 students were given the task of Memories of Holmfirth High creating a book to commemorate the occasion. It has School taken two and a half terms and a lot of effort from Mr Davidson and Mr Croft, but it is finally complete and available to buy. To collect the material needed for the project we interviewed teachers, ex-pupils and even the last Head. Guest speakers also visited the school to share their memories with us. We sent out a request for any nostalgia, anecdotes or pictures from people's time at the school. We also went to the headquarters of the Examiner Newspaper in Huddersfield to look for interesting clippings Available for purchase regarding the school. The introduction was prepared by Dr Williams, and the ex-Headteacher Mr MacPherson lent us boxes of photographs. Among other staff we conversed with were Mrs Haigh, Mr Barson, Mr Stringer and Mr Cheesbrough. It took a while but we gathered together enough material; we then had to format and edit this to make the book. Everyone contributed to the final version, and after nearly a school year we had something we could be proud of. During this time we have learnt all about the publication industry, along with improving our skills as interviewers. Which were very limited at the start. Of course, through all this we had fun, some of the stories that came out of it were hilarious and are sure to have you laughing out loud. The pictures are equally as interesting as the stories behind them. The history leaps out of the glossy, coloured (if you've bought one that style) pages and implants itself in your mind. The project has been very interesting, and has brought together the past and present of Holmfirth High School, with ex-teachers and pupils helping the current crop to make this book. You never know, there might even be a story about you in there! Year 9 Enrichment Group
The Zone
One Wednesday afternoon Enrichment time was given over to 100 students to enter a 'Scrumptious Sandwich Competition' organised by Kirklees College.
Danielle Bailey, Nick Akram, Sean Brennan, Georgina Girdwood, Eilidh Maclean, Liam Mortimer, Daniella Bailey, Toby White, Abigail Preston, Maggie Chen (not shown)
A new after-school facility which opened during the 2009 autumn term for exclusively Year 7 pupils takes place in Z1 room, hence its name The Z one. From 3:30pm – 5:30pm Monday – Thursday term time, the Zone offers after school cover for all parents of Year 7s until they can collect them or allow them to journey home. Various activities, games etc are provided along with computer access, drinks and snacks in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Your child can drop in to any number of sessions and can sign out between 3:35pm and 5:30pm. Although informality and creating a club atmosphere is the key, we do expect to maintain the same level of behaviour, respect for others and the equipment as we do during the school day. If you have already signed and returned the consent form your child is most welcome to join/re-join us at any future session. We ask that when collecting your child from the Zone it is at a prearranged time which does not require you to enter the school building. Mrs A Nelson
50th Anniversary
A word from the Head The school year just ending has been a significant one in the history of the school. As noted elsewhere we are completing the 50th year of schooling at Holmfirth High School. Starting as a Secondary Modern School for 580 pupils we have grown in size, and stature, to an outstanding comprehensive school of over 1300. Many parents will have been involved in the journey as pupils themselves in previous years and hopefully will have noticed the developments at the school. So many people, pupils, parents, staff and governors will have contributed to the success of the school over the years and I should start my contribution to this newsletter with a big vote of thanks to all concerned. It has been a team effort. It has been my pleasure and privilege to work at the school for the last ten years as Headteacher only the third Head in the history of the school after the sterling efforts of my predecessors, Charles Cocks and Ian McPherson. Indeed, I believe I have another fifteen years to go to catch up with the contribution of Mr Cocks!! The end of the summer term is always a time mixed with anticipation of a relaxing summer break and with sadness as we know some staff will be leaving us. This year we wave goodbye to Mrs Makinson who is retiring. Mrs Makinson has been working in the English department for 32 years – always the consummate professional who never presents any issues or problems, just years of dev oted service. Pat will be missed but we wish her good luck on the occasion of her well deserved retirement. Also retiring, is Mr Abbott from the Maths department whose calm and caring classroom manner will be missed. We must pass on our congratulations to Mr Walkden who is leaving after ten years of service. Mr Walkden joined the school on the same day I did, but in his case it was as a fresh faced, newly
The fiftieth year sees the school strongly placed holding accreditation as National Leaders of Education and High Performing Specialist School, and with awards as a Hub School for the School Sports Partnership, Healthy Schools Gold Standard and Sportsmark. The fiftieth year has seen an additional award from the Specialist Schools and Academies Trust as a 'Consultant School' a recognition of our work to support school improvement in other schools – we are currently working in this capacity to help improve system leadership in four different schools. We have also shared congratulations with the Arts departments and Mrs Nicky Thomas regarding the news that our Artsmark status has been extended for another three years. It was Mrs Thomas who did all the hard work of the submission! We do not stand still! It has been a phenomenally busy year not least because of our work in other schools but we can take pride in our achievements over the 2009/10 school year. These include: Starting another year with our best ever exam results Our highest ever figure of pupils staying in full time education Our lowest figure of those leaving as NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) One of our best ever years for sport with three athletics teams winning through to national finals, and three football teams winning Kirklees Leagues and much more (see article in this newsletter) Establishment of the 'Tree House' as an additional support service for children Establishment of a Hairdressing salon and introduction of Hairdressing courses Expansion of ICT facilities with new servers on the network and a new ICT suite for the English department A fantastic school production of 'Oliver' An expanded trip agenda with the introduction of the sports trip to Barcelona and this summer's trip to Uganda ….and there is so much more as you will see from the pagers of this newsletter. There is so much to be proud of and yet so much more to be done! qualified teacher. Outstanding in the classroom, it is with considerable pride and sadness that we can inform you of Mr Walkden's success in achieving a Deputy Head position at Ecclesfield School in the Sheffield area. Richly deserved success but it will not seen the same at school without him – it will certainly be quieter though!! We have also recently said 'goodbye' to Mrs Tibbenham, who has been part of the school administration team for the past eight years. For many of you, Else will have been the first voice you heard or the first face you saw of Holmfirth High School, as for seven of those eight years, Else has been our Receptionist. We are extremely sad to see her go, but she is returning to her homeland of South Africa to be nearer to her family. Re-locating to other areas are Mrs Cooke from PE and Mrs Douglas from
the SEN department. Their cheerful and positive contributions will be missed as will that of Mrs Kempf who is taking a career break from her classroom support role. We also wish Mrs MacLaren well as she starts her maternity leave from the English department. After the summer break we will tell you of the new arrivals! This is a fantastically, exciting time to be working in education, and at Holmfirth High particularly. The days are not long enough and the years pass by too quickly. Let us, though, enjoy a good summer break and we trust everyone will come back refreshed for the challenges ahead. We could not manage without your support, so thank you for that – enjoy your own summer vacations. Andy Williams Executive Headteacher
Trips At half term, 39 Year 10 pupils visited Berlin. We flew from John Lennon airport in Liverpool (the one with the yellow submarine) on the Monday. Our flight was delayed for a bit but the interesting people kept us entertained with their life stories.
His tory
t rip
to B erlin
On the first day we went to the Wansee Villa, the place at which the Nazis agreed on their 'Final Solution'.
The guide gave us a comprehensive
presentation about historical anti-Semitism and the Holocaust. After this we went to a traditional 'East German' restaurant where all they served was schnitzel, and their idea of a vegetarian option was to put a fried egg on top! In the afternoon we visited the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp, which was originally set up for political opponents of the Nazis. The experience was overwhelming. You don't realise how horrific it was until you read all the stories, especially the individual ones. You didn't know what to think or feel but the grey, drizzly weather seemed entirely suitable. On Wednesday we went to the Berlin Bunkers. These where right next to the tube and quite small. They wouldn't save a lot of people. The glow in the dark paint could keep anyone entertained though. In the afternoon we went to a preserved section of the Berlin Wall. We got to see how wide the wall actually was and the two different sides to the wall (east and west). After this we went to the Holocaust Memorial. It was made up of different sized grey columns. The moment you saw someone they had disappeared again behind another column, this showed how quickly people were killed in the camps. On the last day it was finally sunny and we caught the tube to the Olympic stadium. It was huge! The bell that was hung in Hitler's tower was on show. On the day that the stadium was taken from Nazi control it fell down and cracked right through the swastika. After all this it was bye bye, Germany hello England. We were sad to leave but grateful for our own beds.
Thank you to Mr Samphire for organising the
trip and to Miss Carr, Miss Dickinson and Mr Smith for also giving up their half term holiday to allow us to experience Berlin. Kate Plunkett 10KN/ Stephanie Higgins 10KN
German Exch
ange 2010
The German Exchange ha s taken place year for the almost every past 20 years . Herr Leidig, Braunschweig a teacher in at the Wilhelm -Bracke Gesa came over from Germa mtschule, ny approxim ago to work ately 20 yea at Holmfirth H rs igh for a yea some very g r. He made ood friends here and th between the e partnership two schools was set up. Th has been e Exchange a very suc cessful and experience enjoyable for everyone involved. Th German party is year the arrived on th e 27 April and returning to Br we shall be aunschweig on the 13 Sep Here is a rep te m ort from Laura ber. Nunez-Mulde student a r a Year 10 bout this year's ex change: Mrs H Ingham
Summer 2010
m man students come over fro Every year a class of Ger houses and experience British Braunschweig to stay in our ls dent stay with me. Usually, gir culture. This year, I had a stu to I was only hosting (not going get girls and vice versa, but a boy who was left over after the Germany in September), so I got n I was nervous to meet the Germa pairings were made – Gordon. ey they were really friendly. Th students for the first time, but a ide d goo a h, so they already had had spent their day in Holmfirt of the area before they met us. to school with us. They spent the The next morning we took them lunch. During first period two whole day in school – lessons and g them around the school. After Year 10 students had fun showin The tners to Victoria Park. school most of us took our par t Thursday. Gordon told me tha German group went to York on er. nst Mi Museum and saw the they went to the Yorvik Viking Friday they visited Whitby, He really enjoyed that visit. On pite the grey weather. where they went to the beach des
Trips
! M R O T S Y B NDER A T N A S S E K JORGE TA
meerkat one small f o ry o st ible Cantabria The incred urney to beautiful and his jo
The Spanish trip started like any other school trip with the pupils gathering early in the bus park on the morning of the 29 April, 2010. Forty five excited young people and five members of staff piled onto the coach ready for the long journey to Santander. However, little did Mr Samphire know that a quick stop at the services would change his life for ever! For it was here that two thoughtful pupils skilfully won Jorge in the arcade – a delightful stuffed meerkat! Knowing Mr Samphire's love of these small creatures, they immediately presented Jorge to him and a unique friendship began! The journey to Santander went very smoothly and Ryanair's profits were nicely boosted with the frenzied spending of the pupils, as they devoured their way through the snack menu! The hotel was very welcoming and the old medieval town of Santillana del Mar proved to be a charming town with cobbled streets, charming old squares and beautiful architecture. We were all up bright and early the following day and went into the city of Santander to explore the town. The aim was to navigate ourselves around the centre of the city using a series of clues and our rudimentary Spanish – although we were all amazed when Mrs Godbehere turned out to be really rather good at the language! In the afternoon we were all whisked off to be put through our paces in flamenco, samba and merengue dancing! The flamenco teacher made Craig Revel-Horwood seem almost kind as she put us through our paces! However everyone really worked hard and it was a group of footsore people who made their way back onto the bus! Thankfully our blood sugar levels went right up again that evening when we went into Santillana for a mouthwatering dish of Churros and lashings of the richest hot chocolate we had ever tasted! The following day we took a stunning journey up into the Picos de Europa mountains. Agile goats teetered precariously on the sides of the cliffs and birds of prey hovered above the magnificent peaks. Our destination was an awe-inspiring trip up the mountain by cable car at Fuente Dé. A lot of people conquered their fear of heights that day – including Mr Samphire. Touchingly, it was Jorge that gave him the strength not to jump out! That evening, during the traditional quiz, the pupils really impressed the staff with the amount of facts they had remembered over the previous two days – some of them even knew we were in Spain!
On the Sunday we had a long drive of 2.5km to the Altamira caves where we were able to see exact replicas of the famous cave paintings from the Paleolithic era. We went to a fabulous workshop where we learnt how to throw spears capable of killing a bison – although it is fair to say that should a bison have been around, it could have ambled past us quite safely! In the evening, the girls wowed Santander with a fashion display worthy of Paris (or should I say Madrid?). A great evening was had by all at a local nightclub where we had the place to ourselves. It may not have been flamenco, but there were some spectacular moves on the dance floor! Our last day was spent at the Cabárceno nature park. There were loads of different animals to see in quite spectacular surroundings. We were all particularly taken with the brown bears, in particular a small cub which had climbed up a large rock and could not get down. Even the toughest characters in our group looked visibly relieved when mum came to rescue her youngster! It was a great trip and a taste of the real Spain.
Jorge and Mr Samphire
A huge vote of thanks must go to Mrs Godbehere for her superb organisation. Needless to say Jorge thoroughly enjoyed his trip and hopes fervently that it is the first of many………
For the weekend, it' s up to the families to organise outings Stayawake in scho . I went to the ol on Friday night with Gordon and hi we spent most of S s friends, so aturday sleeping, but in the evening the others at Lase we met up with r Quest. It had be en organised by M who also organise rs McGuigan, d a barbecue on S unday afternoon. weather, but none It wasn't great theless the German students enjoyed On Bank Holiday themselves. Monday we had to say goodbye. Ther tears as we waved e were some at the coach as it le ft. They didn't ha ferry back to Germ ve to catch the any until the even ing, so they spent shopping in Leeds. their last day
Mrs K Nicholls
Before Gordon came, I wasn't planning to go to Germany, but when they'd left, I asked Mrs Ingham if I could still put my name down for the return trip. Fortunately, it is possible, and I am really looking forward to seeing the German students again in September! Staying in the country and living with a family for a week, will certainly help me with my German GCSE!! Laura Nunez-Mulder 10SL
Creative Arts
Holmfirth Film Festival Holmfirth Film festival, a new feature on the Holmfirth Arts calendar was varied and well supported. In the Short Film Competition 'Beyond the Summer Wine' there was a section for young people. Three girls from Year 8 were runners up with their take on how they see the Holme Valley. They were: Lily Meaken, Rachel Byrom and Emma Mehrdadi. As a reward, they received a Golden Wellie statuette. The commentary on their entry was, 'With witty observations, quirky one-liners, it eloquently illustrated the pre-occupations of 13 year old girls and captured beautifully the wonderful freedom that is Saturday morning trip to town with your mates.’ Another entry from a pupil in Year 7, Phoebe Coburn, was quite stunning in its maturity of content and professional editing. This went beyond views of the valley to a reminder to us all on just how fortunate we are to live where we do, when others around the world have much harsher lives. Hopefully, in future years more pupils will be encouraged to enter. Mrs V Haigh
Once again pupils from Holmfirth went for a hands-on teaching and learning day at the museum during the spring term. Working with the staff and facilities has now become a regular feature of the GCSE Media Studies course. As the children work with professionals in their field, it fits in with the school's specialism in Applied Learning. This year, once again, the focus was on Animation. While last year they used models made from modeling clay for stop /go animation, using the program 'Monkey Jam', this year they worked with paper cutouts to enact a narrative using 'I Can Animate' program. This was quite an unusual medium to work in and produced entertaining results. Pupils fitted this footage to a set dialogue, voiced by them, which added another dimension. In the afternoon they went into the Imax to watch a 3D film, which is topical considering the release of Avatar earlier this year. Hopefully, they will go to the museum again early next year for an intensive teaching session on Action and Adventure films, the focus of the Controlled Test. Although Year 10 are now on a new syllabus for GCSE the practical element remains strong and the course remains essentially 'hands on' in ethos. Year 11 GCSE pupils have been studying The Popular Press for their Controlled Test. They were fortunate in having an afternoon of input on this topic from Steven Dorril from the School of Music, Humanities and Media at the University of Huddersfield. It is always good to have a different approach to a subject now and again. Pupils were invited to visit the university Media Department in the summer term. Mrs V Haigh
GCSE Art & Design Exhibition at the North Light Gallery The annual exhibition showcasing the work and talents of our students has once again been a huge success. Pupils were extremely proud to be showing their work in such a fantastic professional environment. Parents, families, students and staff attended the private view and once again were amazed at the variety of work on display. Congratulations to all our GCSE Art students! Mrs S Hall
Adopt-An-Artist Scheme Pupils recently took part and enjoyed a series of after school workshops led by Ceramic Artist, Emily Stubbs, who was a former pupil of the school. Pupils were given demonstrations of the techniques and processes that Emily uses in her work and then used these skills and their imagination and creativity to produce their models and ceramic structures. GCSE Art students were able to successfully develop 3-D work as part of their coursework.
Summer 2010
Look out for more after school Art sessions with local contemporary artists next year! Mrs S Hall
Creative Arts Thursday 6 May and a coach full of Year 11 GCSE Drama students set off for the West Yorkshire Playhouse. As part of their final written exams pupils must watch a professional drama production in order to produce a detailed essay on what they saw on stage, giving their personal 'take' on all aspects on an individual actor's performance. Arthur Miller's 'The Death of a Salesman' was our choice and his attack on the American dream could not have been more relevant in today's climate of job losses, credit card debt and disaffected young men. The standard of acting throughout the whole company was near faultless, in particular Philip Jackson ('Poirot's' Inspector Japp) who played Willy Loman. The inventive set and staging added to the feeling we were watching something very special, which deserves a transfer to the West End perhaps? Yet again the pupil's behaviour was a credit and it is a pleasure to accompany them on such visits. We wish them all good luck in their exams.
Media Studies and Enrichment While Media Studies is an option in Years 10 & 11, features of the course, which relate to the industry generally, are taught lower down the school in English, Technology and in some computer courses. This year Media became part of the Enrichment programme in Year 9. Mrs Crampton is teaching a unit on narrative and character study in popular Soap Operas. Pupils create their own dramas and produced them on a moving image format. This is proving to be popular and lively (she will need some time to recover!). Mrs V Haigh
individual performances in their own Drama practicals and we are very proud of them. Break a leg - no seriously, DON'T!!! By the time you read this our next Drama production for January 2011 will have been announced and auditions for the main parts arranged. We are looking forward to packed houses ever y night. Rehearsals start with the return of Mrs Gurd who has recently been choreographing her own production, the extremely cute and gorgeous Harrison Charles Penton Gurd. So, get ready in 2011 to 'pop the cork' and 'spend a little time with us' in our next production 'Sweet Charity'. Mrs A Nelson
'Popping the cork' is very apt in this celebratory year for Holmfirth High School. The Drama department is very proud of its productions, in collaboration with the Music department. Chris Deering, Jim Morgan and Alan Simmons worked together on numerous shows; 'Club Loco', 'Beyond the Seas', 'Touch of Paradise' to name but a few. With Claire Gurd we have collaborated with Jo Brear and Mark Bentham to produce 'Bugsy Malone', 'Blood Brothers', 'West Side Story' and most recently 'Oliver'. Support over the years has been superb. We have been helped behind the scenes with props, costume, backstage supervision, technical teams and front of house. In particular, we would like to thank Avril Nelson for her never ending enthusiasm, quick wit, wisdom and the constant supply of safety pins! Most of all we have loved seeing these young people develop from first tentative auditions to final per for mances. All gain a tremendous amount from the experience, and wonderful memories. Thank you for your continued support. Here's to the future! Mrs V Gunning
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Work Placement In March of this year all Year 10 students vacated our premises (except one who worked in the ICT department) to go to pastures new for their work experience. Two weeks later many returned full of new career ideas and more focused towards why they were actually studying. Some returned knowing exactly what they did not want to do ……… and others looked decidedly worried about what they would do on leaving school!! Many amazed both themselves and employers at just how much initiative and ability they did have. Mrs C Futcher
I spent my two weeks work experience placement in Mars Complementary Petcare, Birstall. My dad had described it vividly as somewhere very interesting and entertaining to be working. On Monday morning Dad woke me up at 5:30am. I was excited, but nervous. As we drove the forty-five minutes from Holmfirth to Birstall I demanded to know every detail of what I would be doing, who I would be working with and just about everything else about the business. I started work at 6:45am, when there were only about ten occupants in the office which usually held over a hundred employees. The project I had been given was to design a meal planner for dogs which owners could log onto and select certain products to feed their pet. The planner would ensure that they don't go over their weekly calorie limits. I set to work on designing the initial calorie spreadsheet straight away and by breakfast time I had gotten well into the research that would make the project possible. The first week passed quickly and eventfully. Wednesday held the prospect of my first ever singing exam, so I had the morning off to do it. I arrived back in work at about one o'clock and found three new people sat at the desk for the Research and Development Technology team who hadn't been there before. There was Dave Sargeant, an Australian whom everyone called “Sarge”, Anna who was from Finland and was not at all impressed by the “dust English people call snow”, and Beth who was from the USA. The second week was quieter, mainly because a number of people were in Hungary doing various things relating to the company over there. The meal planner project I had been doing was basically finished. I had completed it by Wednesday afternoon of the first week and had since been refining it, adding stuff in and checking, and re-checking, that it worked. Since then I had been analysing data from various trials of dog chews and trying to drive holes through things with a texture analyser. It was challenging but interesting and the whole atmosphere in the office made everything easier. My last day was Thursday, as Friday was “All Associates Day” and only permanent members of staff were allowed on site. I brought in two big cakes to say thank you for having me. The carrot cake was finished by 11:00am and the chocolate cake was dwindling fast. At 12:30pm, while I was eating a slice of chocolate cake, two teachers from school arrived to pay me a visit. After a tour around the site, a few discussions with various employees and a slice of cake they were satisfied that I was doing okay and signed my booklet off. An hour later I was called into a meeting with an Italian man called Fenzi. Fenzi was a design agent who would be putting the company in contact with the people who would make the spreadsheet I had created for the meal planner consumer friendly and, eventually, launch it online. It was so satisfying to hear this Italian man telling me that my work was all completely worth it and it would be on the web within months. I came out of that meeting, sat down on the exercise ball I had been using instead of a chair all week and was literally bouncing until Matt complained I was making him sea sick! I was then told that the analysis I had done of the dog chews was going to a company who would write it up into two academic papers, which would then be published in a Veterinary journal. This resulted in me starting to bounce up and down on the exercise ball again. At the end of my placement I felt it had been two of the best weeks of my school career. I had been in a fun, energy filled environment with great people all fortnight, doing work that was challenging but also hugely engaging and rewarding. Alice McGenity 10SL
Summer 2010
In March this year all Year 10s did two weeks of work experience. School can organise placements but most pupils organised their own. Personally, I think I found one of the best opportunities – I worked in Germany on a placement that was organised through a family friend. I worked at his printing and graphic design company and stayed in his house with his family. On my first day I wasn't too nervous because I already knew the boss, but I was apprehensive about meeting others. The workplace was very small, with only three other employees. Although I felt very shy at first they were very patient and helpful with my German. I was set straight to work. I was surprised at the independence and responsibility I was given so quickly – but I guess that's the difference between school and work. Over the two weeks I was given a lot of practical jobs: packaging business cards, folding leaflets, binding booklets and so on. One day in my second week I spent the whole morning sorting 2000 pieces of paper into booklets of four pages. The best days were the days when I went out with Hans – once to get a guided tour of an international printing company, once to apply a graphic to a dentist's waiting room door, and once to create a custom t-shirt design in another office of the company I was working for. I got to do so many different things and I enjoyed it because I felt like I was productive to the company, not a spare part at all. I wasn't sad to leave though; more happy that I'd had such a wonderful experience. I flew back alone, which I thought would be exciting, but after all the new things I'd done the past two weeks taking a plane felt ordinary. I think the biggest thing I gained from work experience was communication skills. Talking to strangers can be difficult – but when I had to speak to strangers in a language I didn't feel comfortable with it really tested my confidence. Of course my German has really improved! Laura Nunez-Mulder 10SL
Out and About
GCSE Biology Open Day at Leeds University
Year 11 Geography Field Trip In September, forty six students from Year 11 accompanied by Mrs Thomas, Mrs Stephenson and Mr Flack will set off to Grasmere in the Lake District for the annual residential Geography fieldtrip. Whilst in Grasmere we stay at the Butharlypp Howe Youth Hostel, a lovely old building set in its own grounds. On arrival in Grasmere we will drop off our luggage at the hostel and set off to explore this picturesque tourist village – a real 'honeypot site'. Then it will be back to the hostel to unpack and explore the building and grounds. After the evening meal some time will be spent in the classroom preparing for the next day followed by free time around the hostel – the games room is a favourite place to relax.
Fifteen Year 11 students took the opportunity to take part in a Biology laboratory session. The University of Leeds Biochemistry Department put on an activity with a forensic twist. Using basic scientific methods as well as volumetric and spectroscopic analysis, the students were able to identify the presence of haemoglobin in a forensic sample, as well as amino acids obtained from sweat samples. The students experienced a modern, wellequipped laboratory and had to use a variety of skills to solve problems.
After the session, the students enjoyed a mini tour of the university campus and spent a while in the Union building.
Overall, a very enjoyable and interesting visit. Mr H Allen
Day 2 is spent on the fells studying Upland Glaciation. Three groups head off to Easedale Tarn accompanied by the experts from the Lake District Education Service. Whilst Mr Flack's party yomp off, Mrs T and Mrs S take a more steady pace! This is a great day and we always hope for fair weather. Tea and cake in a café in Grasmere makes a good end to this day and then it's back to the hostel for a shower before dinner. After dinner we go into the classroom again and do some preparation for the next day. Groups will conduct surveys on the land use, traffic, pedestrians and environment in Grasmere in order to collect data for the GCSE controlled assessment. After the final day's work we will head back to Holmfirth – 'a good time had by all'! Mrs J Thomas
The Year 8 Dales Way aluminium casting project reached a successful conclusion with about thirty of the signs being sent to the Yorkshire Dales National Park office in Grassington. Karen Griffiths of the National Park passed some of the signs on to the Park Rangers who visited locations on the footpath in tandem with pupils from Dent Primary school to fix the signs to posts and gates. Two examples of the castings are shown in the photographs.
It is anticipated that more of the castings will be fixed in other locations along the way during the summer. Hopefully we will be provided with more evidence in the future. Note they have been fixed in such a way that it discourages vandalism or theft. The sign with the tree shape was made by Alex Fenwick. The DT department is awaiting the name of the maker of the other. Please come forward and let yourself be known! Mr D Manning
Community
Masasa - Holmfirth
Partnership Masasa CDSS, our partner school near Mzuzu in Northern Malawi, like Holmfirth High, is very much a community school. Masasa village is spread across a valley and, like Holmfirth, the school has also undergone significant improvements over the past ten years. The secondary school in Masasa used to run in the afternoons, using the classrooms of Masasa primary school. It soon outgrew these buildings and, with the help of the Village Headman and the Village Council raised the money to move the secondary school across the valley to its current site. Before...
Starting with one building containing two classrooms, the school began to develop. In 2004, a second building was added with two classrooms, an office for the Headteacher and a small staffroom for teachers to mark and prepare for lessons. This was mostly funded by the Hunter Trust. In 2007, again with funds from the Hunter Trust, a Science building was added. With our help the Science labs have been kitted out with benches and stools, and cupboards have been built to house the Science equipment we sent. Now, in 2010, practical Science lessons can take place. With the project to create educational resources on the walls of the classrooms, the quality of the surroundings for lessons has significantly improved over recent years. Many thanks to all those who have donated items or contributed to our many fund-raising efforts – the items are now in use at Masasa CDSS.
Summer 2010
The next project for Masasa CDSS is the building of a Library and we hope to continue to help with that project over the next few years. In addition, we hope to extend our assistance to the wider community. We are very careful about the items we send, ensuring that they are a reasonable quality and that they will be used. In October, we hope to send further items in a container sent by CART, based in Lockwood. The Masasa CDSS Headteacher, Lizzie Mwambazi, also works for the Malawi Red Cross and has involvement in a local orphanage, so is well placed to ensure any items we send can be placed where they will help. In September, we will start to collect items to send out. We are looking to send items that can either be sold to generate money to help pay for their Library, or to be rented out to benefit the local community, again raising funds for the school. Lizzie has requested more bicycles for the teachers to use, sewing machines (electric are fine), knitting machines, wedding dresses and accessories (shoes, head dresses etc) and clothes. For the orphanage and nursery - toys, books, children's clothes and shoes. I will distribute full details early in September and include where the items can be delivered to. Everything we send should be in reasonable condition and should be in working order. Preparations for our next visit to Malawi in the Summer of 2011 are well underway. This year we have had a range of fundraising efforts and thanks to everyone who have supported them. Our next event is 'Totally Wiped Out' (for grownups – it's like 'It's a Knockout') on Saturday 17 July 2010 at 12:30pm until 5pm. It's organised by the 'We're a Knockout' Company and should be a great event. We are finalising details, but there should also be a range of craft and games stalls, food and drink, as well as Pay-asyou-play Lasertag. If you would like to get involved further in our Malawi Partnership (unsure about items to donate, ideas about fundraising, want to make a donation towards the Masasa Library project) or have any questions, please do not hesitate to get in touch at s.cheesbrough@holmfirthhigh.co.uk Mr S Cheesbrough
Dry Stone Walling We have moved our dry stone walling area, imported ten tons of fresh stone (many thanks to Gary Morley and his JCB skills) and had the benefit of two wall building training sessions with Neil McMillan. The skills involved include persistence and patience - not bad preparation for life, perhaps. Eleven students are currently working on this project and we hope to include more next year.
Kronosplus Arts Project
ations e Gener h t s s o r ac
Over this term we have also been taking part in a Holme Valley Sharing Memories project. We have been working with this group of older people in various ways for over twelve years, particularly through Drama, but this time the project took a different shape, involving a photographer, an artist and a writer who worked with the Sharing Memories group and four of our Year 8 students. The project was about the local landscape and culminated in an exhibition during Art Week in July, using photographs, paintings and original writing. Our students got a lot out of the process, which included working with young children at Brockholes Junior School. Two of the four students involved, Lauren and Jack, took part in a radio broadcast about the project on Two Valleys Radio, a Community Radio station which you can sample online by following this link: http://www.twovalleysradio.co.uk/listena gain/young-and-old/ (about 48mins into the clip). We hope to develop this radio link more substantially in the future. Thanks again to the parents who support our work; if any other parent feels able to offer a couple of hours in the garden, please get in touch! Mr C Deering
Sporting Updates Since 2005, Holmfirth High School has hosted the Pennine School Sport Partnership. We work with schools to ensure that high quality PE is available to every child and that they have access to at least three hours of PE and school sport every week. The developments which have occurred in Holmfirth High School whilst we have been part of the partnership include: Young Leadership development; students taking awards and practicing their leadership in lessons and at events. Two excellent Young Ambassadors for London 2012 have come through the school – Abi Tunnicliffe & Sophie Coventry, both of whom still work as volunteers on a regular basis. Funding provided to allow Miss Ward (PE Dept) to work for two days each week with the primary schools, and local clubs, organising competitions, setting up after Leaders from school coaching / clubs, and developing PE & Sport in the Holmfirth High at High School the Kwik Cricket Organising 'Alternative Sports' competitions for KS3/4 festival at students who do not normally play any sport for the Holmfirth Cricket school. These have included Dodge ball, Softball, Golf & Club. Water Polo! Everyone enjoys taking part and most of the June 2010 time don’t mind losing! For the second year running Miss Ward has helped to organise the 'Strictly Pennine Dance Festival' which is held at the Lawrence Batley Theatre. This year Holmfirth High School dancers provided several performances, to great acclaim.
The Holmfirth High School team at the Alternative Sports evening February 2010
Strictly Pennine Dance Festival February 2010
The partnership has been a great success and hopefully will continue working towards London 2012 and a legacy for all young people in sport. For more information please visit our website: www.penninessp.co.uk Mrs B Hilton
Another successful year for our Year 9s at Bude in Cornwall. The students proved to be excellent sports and team players by throwing themselves into all activities during the day. The evenings were spent partaking in varied events from football, to fancy dress and a talent show, our students proving that nothing would beat them and entered anything that was available - this proved successful with the “Spice Girls” winning the fancy dress hands down. Many pupils overcame their fears encouraging others to go that extra mile. The whole group were a pleasure to take away for the activity break – well done to you all and many thanks from all the staff. Mr J Battye / Mrs P Hodgson
Coming soon to Holmfirth High School, Parent Pay. From 1 September 2010 you will be able to pay online for school dinners, dinners, trips & much more. Look out for more information or take a look at their website.
ParentPay
Uniform Changes! There will be some changes from September to the HHS uniform. These are a result of consultation with the students themselves. Firstly, one minor change affecting all students is the logo of the sweatshirt, which has been updated to a more contemporary, all white style. Secondly, from September, Year 10 and 11 students only will now be able to wear a jumper with the new logo, available only from Rawcliffes. Should Year 10 and 11 students continue to want to wear the HHS sweatshirt they may of course do so. Parents of Years 7, 8 and 9 students, please do not buy the jumper – your son/daughter will not be allowed to wear it!
Conta ct
Garden
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Our ABSENCE LINE number is 01484 691468
010 ERM 2 T N M AUTU ct - 22 O 2 Sept ec - 17 D 1 Nov
SPRING TERM 20 11 4 Jan - 18 Feb 28 Feb - 15 Apri l
Pupil absence should be notified on a DAILY BASIS
IMPORTANT DATES FOR NEXT TERM* 01 Sept - Training Day 23 Sept - Year 10 Introduction to Key Stage 4 Parent’s Eve 07 Oct - Training Day Open Evening 03 Dec - Training Day *These are preliminary dates and may be subject to change. A full pupil calendar will be issued at the start of the new Autumn Term.
Tel: 0 1484 69146 Fax: 0 0 1484 69146 www.h 9 olm
firthh office ighsch .holm ool.co firth@ kirkle m es-sch ools.o rg.uk
Over the summer te rm we have develop ed the garden area more of the area an further, cultivating d trying out new pla nts. After much hard shifting, we have a labour and earthnew 8 metre-long ra ised bed, which gives Next term we hope us much more space. to have a gardener in place two days pe the momentum going r week to help keep as we take on more of the Food for Life to raise awarenes agenda, which aims s of the importan ce of healthy and everyone's lives. Mor su stainable food in e on this next year..
One of our newsletters made it all the way to Havana, Cuba when Ms Godbehere visited a high school there during the
Easter holidays. The newsletter was presented to the Headteacher (on the right in the photo) along with some other resources as a gift to the school.
The S chool
Shop re-op has recen en day, tly Wed ed, n 8:30 esday –9 , Cross :10am a Friday t the roads Offic Every e. thing from to sc ienti pens , pe fic mem calculato ncils ory p r ens. s & Mon
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