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Actor Brian revisits his Rhyddings roots
December 2014
SPORTS AMBASSADORS
Former student inspires our Year 7s
TRAINING: Solomon White & Maizee-Leigh Cryne
Two of our Year 10 students recently received special training from Lancashire Sport at the University of Lancashire to help them become Sports Ambassadors for the school. Solomon White and Maizee-Leigh Cryne regularly represent Rhyddings at various sporting events and will be using their new skills whilst working with local primary school children as part of the GCSE PE course.
QUESTIONS: Brian with Year 7 students - Callum Plane, Jessica Vick, Ciara Hatch, Oliver Clark, Leiton Smith, Conner Spencer and Callum Birtwell.
Former Rhyddings student Brian Fletcher popped into school recently to talk to Year 7 students about his career in acting. Brian, who starred in BBC One’s recent five-part WW1 drama ‘The Passing Bells’, returned to Rhyddings to help inspire our new intake of budding actors. Brian got his first taste of real acting here at Rhyddings, playing the role of Sam in our production of Mamma Mia. He gained a Distinction* in BTEC Performing Arts and went on to Accrington & Rossendale College, before signing up with the Curtis Brown talent agency. He initially worked as an extra and featured in such programmes as ITV’s ‘Scott & Bailey’. Whilst back at Rhyddings, Brian talked to students about his experiences filming The Passing Bells in Poland, answered lots of questions and spoke about his next role as ‘Little Stan’ in upcoming ITV WW2 drama ‘Jambusters’. Brian, who still lives locally, said: “I’m the first person to say I wasn’t the best student and didn’t always do my best in school when I was younger. But the opportunity to do Performing Arts in Year 10 and be a part of the school shows really focussed me on what I wanted to do in life, which was to become an actor. I got my head down and turned it around in the end.” “I’m enjoying every single moment of my acting career, it’s a fantastic experience and I feel lucky to be where I am now.” Anna Booth, who taught Brian through his BTEC in Performing Arts, said: “We are really proud of him. To see one of your former students on the BBC is something really special.”
Y10 Cadbury World Trip Year 10 Business students enjoyed an educational visit to Cadbury World in Birmingham. They toured the visitors centre where they found out about the history of the business, origins of chocolate and saw the factory in operation - all whilst enjoying free samples! Later they listened to an educational talk which provided information about the ownership, aims and objectives, competitors and organisation. All of the information gathered will form an basis for their business studies coursework.
Y7 Pendle Hill Trips
ADVENT CALENDAR COLLECTION Congratulations to students in 8JY, 8HN, 9LH, 10AD and 11SB who generously purchased 33 Advent calendars last week. These will now be passed on to the Oswaldtwistle Churches Food Bank, to be given to children who are facing a bleak Christmas.
All of the Year 7 Geography groups have successfully completed their expedition to the top of Pendle Hill! Very well done! Mr Barnes and Miss Masefield were very impressed with the kit and the positive spirit shown by all Year 7s in the ascent of this much loved Lancashire hill!
Students collaborate on new Cassons clip
School Announcements School will close for the Christmas break on Friday 19th December at 12 noon.The Belthorn bus has been scheduled for 12.05pm. School will re-open on Monday 5th January. We would also like to take this opportunity to wish all staff, students, parents and members of the community a Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and a prosperous 2015. Now that the weather is becoming colder and wetter, may we take this opportunity to remind parents and carers that students should ideally be equipped with a suitable outdoor coat. Hooded jackets and tops, sweatshirts or other fleece style jackets, are not part of our school uniform and must not be worn anywhere on the school site. If you have any concerns or queries regarding this, then please do not hesitate to contact the school.
GOOD ACCOUNTS: Alannah Gibson, Saffe Mirza & Courtney Yates
A group our students recently swapped the classroom for the boardroom as they became young apprentice accountants for the day. Year 11 Business Studies students from Rhyddings made a ‘behind the scenes’ visit to Cassons in Haslingden. The students were set various accounting challenges, including calculating the mocked up profits from a Courteeners concert and working out the tax on a pay slip. They also learnt about the importance of marketing a business and utilising the power of video and social media channels. You can find a video of the visit online by visiting http://vimeo.com/112103305.
Former student focus: CONNOR MELLOR
We would also like to take the opportunity to remind you that whilst we endeavour to keep the school open, student and staff safety is paramount. Should the school need to be closed due to the weather, please listen to BBC Radio Lancashire in the mornings from 7.30am, check our website or Facebook page. Parents who have up-to-date contact details should also receive a text from us if the school is closed. If your details have changed recently, please let us know. In recent weeks there have been several incidents reported to the police regarding concerns in the Mill Hill and Fox Hill Bank areas. The police have advised us to inform everyone to avoid these isolated areas. The advice to all students is to walk in groups, along main roads and in well-lit areas. If any students feel in danger when walking to and from school they are advised to contact the police immediately dialing 999. All staff will continue to be vigilant to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all students at Rhyddings. If students do have any concerns, please let them know that they should talk to their form tutor or their year leader. If parents/carers have concerns please do not hesitate to contact the school. Xmas pud image: flickr.com/sallysetsforth/
Former Rhyddings student Connor Mellor recently took part in the Bank of England’s Target Two Point Zero competition. Connor (2nd from left), along with three other St Mary’s College students, delivered a 15 minute presentation focusing on a variety of economic data showing the current state of the UK economy and what they felt the Bank of England should do with interest rates. Following their presentation, the team faced demanding questions from the Bank of England’s agents in the North West and an analyst from London. They performed excellently and gave answers well above the A-Level standard. We are proud of Connor and wish him all the best in his future endeavours! Are you a former Rhyddings student who is finding success since leaving school? Do you know someone who is? We’d love you to get in touch with us.We would like you to share stories, photos, videos - or perhaps come in and chat to our students in order to inspire them. If you have something to share, please contact school@rhyddings.co.uk.
In the community: Charity Collections
Students and staff recently raided their cupboards to find a wealth of food items, as well as new, and nearly-new toys and gifts to donate to both the Hyndburn Homes Hampers and Accrington Lions’ Annual Toy Appeals. Students also helped Hyndburn Homes to deliver some of the hampers to local residents in need.