Rhyddings News December 2012

news

CELEBRATING

80

www.rhyddings.co.uk

December 2012

Christmas Fair

years

at the heart of the

community The year of 2013 will see Rhyddings enter its 80th year – we’ve come a long way since our humble beginnings as Accrington Secondary Tech!

In May, we will be having a week-long celebration looking back at our history and achievements. We are looking for past students to join in the festivities and share memories of their time here with us.

Current students will be piecing together the school’s history in their lessons by creating displays and learning about what life was like for students in each decade.

The celebration will culminate in a street party, with former students and members of the community invited to see the school as it is now and what we have discovered about our past.

To help add flesh to the bones of what we already know about Rhyddings, we are looking for former students and staff who have stories, work or photographs that they wouldn’t mind sharing with us.

If you think you can help, or know anyone who can, please contact the school on 01254 231051 or email perryn@rhyddings.co.uk.

ENTERPRISE: Imad & Declan man the mince pie stall

We would like to thank all students, parents and staff who supported our recent Christmas Fair.

The fair was jam packed with shoppers looking for some Christmas bargains!

Xmas Hampers

GOODWILL: Aaminah delivers one of our hampers

Rhyddings students have once again teamed up with social landlord Hyndburn Homes to bring season’s greetings to local vulnerable and elderly residents. Students brought in a variety of food and Christmas treats to make up hampers which were distributed to people in the community.

Santa’s Sleigh gets a Rhyddings refit The Rotary Club now have a brand new sleigh with thanks to Reece Sillitoe, Chris Jenkins and Robert Allison. The students put in extra time beyond their construction lessons, totalling 20 hours of voluntary refurbishment of the sleigh.

Santa came to visit the school on Thursday 22nd November to make sure he was happy with all the alterations in order for Rudolph to pull the sleigh.

All the sound system was redesigned by the students and hopefully everyone should now hear him coming. All this took place under the watchful eye of Mr Allan, Construction teacher and John Garland, construction assistant.

Parents - We need you! School Announcements Rhyddings has two vacancies for Parent Governors.

The role gives you the opportunity to contribute to the running and development of the school and to be at the heart of decision making.

Parents contribute their own experiences to the Governing body - an understanding of educational issues is not required, this will be acquired through involvement and participation.

A commitment to attend two meetings a term is necessary although other opportunities are available if you have more time. Optional training is provided in conjunction with the County Council and in school. If you would like to find out more or chat to current Governors please contact the school.

We work in conjunction with staff to ensure that the school offers the best for its students.

Whilst the role is unpaid, its rewards and satisfaction through results and improvements for students are considerable.

David Brunskill - Chair of Governors

Derian House Cake Sale As part of their studies,Year 10 and 11 Health & Social Care students recently organised a cake sale to raise funds for children’s hospice Derian House. The sale was a huge success and raised a total of £76!

The school will close for students at 12.00 noon Friday 21 December 2012 for the Christmas holiday. The Belthon Bus has been booked for 12.10pm on that day. School will reopen on Monday 7th January. We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and prosperous New Year!

In the event of heavy snowfall or extremely icy conditions over the winter months, please check the school website for closure confirmation. Also, tune into BBC Radio Lancashire FM 95.5(E Lancs), 103.9(Cen/W Lancs), from 7am in the mornings, or visit their website. Please be aware that the initial radio announcement may not be repeated.

CWR Scaffolding of Burnley are kindly providing us with materials needed for the set of our next school musical ‘Rock of Ages’. For more information on the company, please visit http://www.cwrscaffolding.co.uk/.

Could you be a HOST? At home this Christmas? Many international students at UK universities will be alone and would love to celebrate with you and your family.

HOST is a charity, founded 25 years ago by the British Council, which encourages international friendship and understanding by arranging for adult international students at universities in the UK to spend 1 – 3 days in a British home.

We are always grateful to welcome new hosts on board. Not only is hosting a wonderful opportunity to meet people from around the world and introduce them to our customs, but it also allows for children to be introduced to other cultures, therefore broadening their knowledge and increasing their understanding.

To learn more about volunteer hosting at Christmas or any weekend of the year, see www.hostuk.org or contact Alan on 01845 527448.

Q. What have host families with children said about inviting an international student?

A. “It is a great way to learn about other cultures and particularly for our children to learn that others are just like them but might look or do things differently.” – Joanna, Berkhamsted “We really enjoy having people from other countries come to visit & believe that it’s good for our children to have their horizons widened in this way.” – Esther, Tattenhoe “Our son has had the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and this wouldn’t have been possible without HOST UK.” – Maria, Helston

Zumba at Rhydding’s Tuesdays @ 3.30pm £2 per person or £1 for Students - Aged 14+ (Under 14’s require parent or guardian to attend)

Q. How do parents know this is a safe opportunity?

A. HOST has been going for 25 years. In that time we have never had any worrying incidents regarding children of host families. In fact, the families who volunteer with us say that this is a fantastic opportunity for their children to learn about other cultures and be introduced to people from around the world in a safe home environment.

Q. Are the host families checked?

We do not require CRB checks on hosts, because all our students are adults. However, our volunteer regional organisers visit every potential host family in their home before accepting them as hosts.

We never register as hosts anyone about whom our regional organisers have any concerns.