news
www.rhyddings.co.uk
December 2011
Cash for ‘taches Report Our recent Ofsted inspection has once again returned the verdict of a ‘good school with outstanding features’. After spending two days observing classes and interviewing students and staff, Her Majesty’s Inspectors were especially impressed by the care, guidance and support that we give our students. They also felt that we provide good opportunities for learning and development, doing our best to ensure everyone succeeds.
“Good school with outstanding features” Headteacher Paul Trickett said: “It gives me great pleasure to tell you about yet another extremely positive report from Ofsted. “They acknowledged our journey towards an outstanding status by recognising the progress we make with all of our students. “I would like to thank parents for your continued support and recognition of our work with your children. On your behalf I would like to register my great appreciation for the dedicated hard work of all staff who make Rhyddings a welcoming and successful environment.”
Rhyddings men boldly ‘mo’ to raise over £600 for male cancer research g4r4tgtrg
MO BROS: (back L-R) Mr Dutton, Mr Allan, Mr Duxbury, Mr Garland, Mr Breckell, Mr Watson (front L-R) Mr Sanna, Mr Mercer, Mr Merritt and Moustache Team Leader - Mr Scott
Rhyddings staff have raised over £600 for male cancer research by growing moustaches for Movember. The charity event that had humble beginnings with only 30 participants in Melbourne, Australia in 2003, has grown into a global cause that has raised over £106m worldwide. In line with the rules, none of the team had taken a razor to their top lip since November 1st and went through the itching, tickling and gentle joking from students and staff alike. ‘Tache team leader Duncan Scott, Head of Technology, took on the challenge after being asked for sponsorship from a friend. Thinking he could grow a better one himself, he enlisted the help of other teachers and staff at school to raise as much as possible. “It’s the Rhyddings family,” he explains. “I knew that there would be a few of us who’d take up the challenge because of the great spirit of everyone here. It also means a lot to us as a school having lost a former member of staff to cancer. “We’ve certainly raised awareness, the students haven’t stopped talking about it since we started! Some people have been very generous, including various local businesses. We’re proud to have raised so much money.” Donations to the team have reached just over £600, but it’s not too late to donate please visit http://tiny.cc/teamrhyddings - and help beat male cancer!
Christmas Hamper Campaign
XMAS CHEER: Rhyddings hampers
Rhyddings students have teamed up with social landlord Hyndburn Homes to bring season’s greetings to local vulnerable and elderly residents. Students have brought in a variety of nonperishable food items to make up hampers which will be distributed to people in the community. After Christmas, our Student Voice team will be visiting local sheltered schemes and speaking to residents.
They will then present an assembly to other students on how the hampers have been received and how it feels to help others. “We are delighted that Rhyddings School are supporting vulnerable and older residents in the community by taking part in this festive initiative,” said Dave Perry from Hyndburn Homes. “Young people often get a bad press but as this proves – most young people are keen to be positive citizens.”
At the heart of the community - Volunteering & charity work Construction in the Community Year 11 construction students recently completed work on refurbishing the Church & Oswaldtwistle Rotary Club’s Santa sleigh that does the rounds at Christmas time. Students Alfie Taylor, Jonathan Whalley, Owen Livesey, Michael Hatton, Kayley Charnley and Joel Thompson have completed maintenance work, as well as improving the finish and appearance of the sleigh so it is ready for the festive season.
SEASON’S GREETINGS: Santa and the sleigh
Some of our green-fingered construction students have been planting bulbs at Church & Oswaldtwistle railway station to help brighten up the area. They willg4r4tgtrg return to the station regularly to help keep the area maintained. Not only that, but they have been involved in planting crocus bulbs with the Church & Oswaldtwistle Rotary Club as part of their Big Bulb Plant campaign. Students have planted bulbs along Union Road, which come springtime, will produce bright purple flowers. Young Aawaz Girls Group Our new Young Aawaz Girls Group has started their fundraising and community work with a cupcake sale. All proceeds will go to help support children’s hospice Derian House, in Chorley. Some members of the group will be visiting the hospice soon to help set up volunteering opportunities for Rhyddings students. Festive Fundraising Members of our Rotary InterAct club will be bagpacking at Tesco in Accrington over the festive period. All money raised will go to the NSPCC. Meanwhile, our recent Eid Festive Party, enjoyed by around 80 students, raised over £40. All proceeds will go to Derian House.
School closes early at 12 noon on Friday 16th December for the Christmas break. The Belthorn bus has been scheduled for this change. School will re-open to students on Wednesday 4th January 2012. We would like to wish all students and staff a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! The next school production will be the smash-hit Abba musical ‘Mamma Mia’. The show will run for three nights from the 27th-29th March 2012. Tickets are available now from Miss Booth: £4 adults, £2.50 children, £12 family ticket (2 adults, 2 children). Book early to avoid disappointment! Our Year 9 boys football team managed a draw with Hollins in their last game, a point enough to be crowned league champions! Massive congratulations are due to all the boys and their manager, Mr Breckell for their hard work and team spirit. It’s that time of year again! Please check tune in to BBC Radio Lancashire (95.5 & 103.9FM) or check our website www.rhyddings.co.uk in the mornings for closures. Several members of our senior student team received their bronze Duke of Edinburgh awards at a ceremony at St. Christopher’s high school last week. Sam Baxter, Kim Cowburn, Zak Cunliffe, Tabitha Deadman, Sarah Dragstra, Lara Foote, Victoria Hitchen, Jessica Holt, Lewis Keen, Louise Malone, James Marsden, Luke Searle, Farwa Shah and Katie Treasure all completed six months worth of volunteering, physical and skills work as well as an overnight expedition. Congratulations!
Former students
en In N r d il
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Students and staff raised £1209.20 for Cancer Research after our recent Tickled Pink/ Turning Blue event. This is the first year that Rhyddings students have ‘turned blue’ to help raise awareness of male cancers alongside Tickled Pink. Activities included a non-uniform day, Zumba dance classes, a variety of stalls and sales, staff in the wet sponge stocks and a fantastic concert from top Rhyddings musical talent.
Ch
D PINK E L K ... TIC
School Announcements
Rhyddings raised a total of £779.62 for this year’s campaign!
TURNIN G BLUE!
in focus
Former Rhyddings student Layla Hunt has been awarded a scholarship at Blackburn College for her superb singing talents. Narrowly missing out on a chance to sing at the 2012 Olympics, Layla is currently working towards her AS-Levels. Meanwhile, Zunnaira Shabbir completed her A-Levels in the summer and got an A* and three B grades. Layla Hunt Zunnaira said: “I’m hoping to study Medicine at either Imperial or King’s College in London. “Education is priceless. Studying at Rhyddings and the Sixth Form at Blackburn College has started me on the path to becoming a doctor.”