15th December 2009
Ryedale School Newsletter
Dear Parents and Carers As we approach the end of term, the students are typically involved in a number of sporting and performance events, which they enjoy and which give pleasure to others. The Chaucer was brilliantly performed and we have just won the Inter-School Sporting Challenge. Inter-house basketball and the Carol Concert, which traditionally end this term, are always very popular. The fact so many students and staff have battled through seasonal illnesses means that many will be looking forward to the Christmas vacation. I am sure that the final days of term, however, will be as exciting as ever. Year 10: As Mrs Handley is due to go on maternity leave from Easter 2010, we are reorganising the workload of the Leadership Team to ensure students receive all the support they need. Mr McCandless will become responsible for Year 10 (as well as 7,8 and 9) from the beginning of next term. If parents/carers of Year 10 students have any concerns, it should be Mr McCandless they contact until the end of the academic year. Sixth Form: Year 11 have completed their GCSE mock examinations, and are actively considering their Post-16 options. I have been negotiating, on behalf of the Governors, with local Heads and officers from the Local Authority to obtain some sort of official 6th Form Status for Ryedale School. We currently provide some Post-16 courses, but we want to move from being just a provider to a true partner in the Ryedale Area 6th Form Partnership. If we can make the case for some sort of niche status that could be offered within the area as part of the collaborative provision and not as a rival to local small 6th Forms, it is likely to be viewed more favourably by the Local Authority and the DCSF. I shall keep you informed of the progress we make. Examination Officer: Mrs Hugill has been appointed to manage both our examination process and work-experience provision from January 2010. Mrs Humphreys will move across, at her own request, to being a cover supervisor. Mrs Hugill is currently Examinations Officer at Lady Lumley’s School.
P
External Accountability: We have recently been visited by our new School Improvement Partner, and inspected by the Local Authority’s Inclusion Officer and a Safeguarding consultant. All were extremely positive, and things bode well for a forthcoming OFSTED Inspection. (OFSTED will only give two days notice, so we have to be constantly ready.) If you as parents/carers have any issues you are not happy about, please express these to the relevant staff, or address them to the Clerk to the Governors for the Home-School Committee to consider if the issues are more complex. OFSTED rightly attach great importance to the ‘Parent Voice’, something that the Governors and Parent Teacher Association wish to develop further. We have had some useful evenings for parents/carers when experts spoke on such community issues as illegal substances and cyber bullying. If you have a suggestion for the next one, please let Mr Clay know and he will ensure it is passed on to the Governors or PTA. Year 9 Options: I have spoken to all Year 9 groups about the Options process they will be involved in next term, leading to their Key Stage 4 courses. Next term several subject teachers will talk to the students about GCSE courses, and booklets will be produced outlining all courses so parents can share in the process. The offer will also include some vocational courses (from BTEC to Diploma). It is worth noting that there will be a Vocational Open Evening here on Tuesday 2nd February 2010, when all the vocational providers will be available to explain more about their courses. More information will follow next term. I am delighted with the way the school is progressing at the moment. Students and staff are performing extremely well. Thank you for the continued support you give them. On behalf of us all here at Ryedale School I should like to wish you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Your sincerely
G R Jenkinson Headteacher
P a g e
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VISITORS TO SCHOOL In order to comply with regulations we have been asked to request proof of identity from all visitors to the school. Unfortunately, this will apply to parents/carers who have appointments with members of staff during the school day. If you have an appointment in school, please could you bring some form of identification such as a Driving Licence with you. You will then be asked to wear a visitor’s badge for the duration of your stay in school. We shall inform you if the regulations on this matter are officially changed in any way. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.
SPORT NEWS Rugby Ryedale’s Year 11 Boys are the Rugby Festival Sevens Champions for 2009. This was a Scarborough and District Competition, which Ryedale won without conceding a point. In the semi finals Ryedale beat Filey 25-0 to set up a final against Whitby Community College. The final was again one way traffic with Ryedale running out winners 20-0. It was an excellent team performance by Ryedale both in attack and defence as the statistics show 145 for, 0 against! Netball Ryedale’s Year 8 and 9 Netball teams both had good wins against Graham School in the Ryedale and Scarborough District Cup Competition. Ryedale’s Year 8 team won 16-7 to go through to the second round. Ryedale’s Year 9 Team won 21-12 to take them through to the semi finals of the competition. Show Jumping Results Kate Musgrave, Alice Harrison and Dodie Carter came 5th overall in the 70 cm Jump Off Emily Waind, Roberta Hayton, Rachel Lunney and Cameron Hardie came 4th overall and just missed out on qualification for the 90 cm. Emily Waind, Rachel Lunney and Cameron Hardie Came 3rd in the 1 meter jump and qualified for the Championships. Basketball Ryedale’s Year 7 team beat Malton 56-18; Matthew Butler and Gareth Skelton were Ryedale’s top scorers. Ryedale’s Year 9’s beat Norton 58-26; Jack Young and Eddy Barnes were outstanding for Ryedale. Well done to all our sports teams!
Adverse Weather: We are sure to have adverse weather conditions again in the next term. Please find attached a reminder of the policy and arrangements for you to read in advance of the snow, ice etc. The arrangements have proved to be popular with parents/carers and the local community over a number of years in terms of keeping everyone safe. However, we discovered last year that a Year 7 pupil was unsure what to do when the coach company suddenly announced it needed to collect the student during the day owing to deteriorating weather conditions. We all need to prepare for the worst case scenarios, all of which have happened in recent years. Sometimes we are told to send everyone home by the coach companies or police. If the police tell us to close the school at midday for example, all children and staff must go, so please ensure your child knows what you want them to do in this eventuality. Please ensure also that they know what to do if the coach does not turn up in the morning. If parents/carers have real anxieties about individual circumstances, please contact Mr Clay as soon as possible, so we can jointly agree a safe plan.
NEWS FLASH The ICT Department have 4Gb Memory Stick for Sale at an incredible ÂŁ6.0. Any Pupil or parent interested should contact Mrs McGlen.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS Carol Service: 7pm on Wednesday 16th December at Helmsley Church Term ends: Friday 18th December at 3.40 p.m. Students return to school: Tuesday 5th 2010 SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT If parents/carers have any suggestions for school improvement that they would like the Governors’ Home School Committee to discuss, please write to Mr Clay who services this committee. Please add your name and the name of your child, so we can respond to you. P Clay, Deputy Headteacher
Performing Arts News It has been another very busy term, with several highlights: Firstly, our ABRSM Music exam results have been the best ever, and a testament to the teachers and pupils involved:
CHARLOTTE AMER
SINGING
3
120 Merit
MILLIE BAINES
CLARINET
2
111 Pass
JOHN BROWN
SINGING
4
130 Distinction
GINA DEVINE
SINGING
4
138 Distinction
CHLOE GARBUTT
FLUTE
5
112 Pass
TOM GENTRY
PIANO
1
131 Distinction
MARTHA GOSNOLD
SINGING
2
130 Distinction
JUDITH HOLMES
PIANO
3
104 Pass
JACK HUGILL
TRUMPET
4
120 Merit
ADDIE JOHNSON
SINGING
2
116 Pass
AMY LAYCOCK
PIANO
3
117 Pass
KATHERINE LUNN
SINGING
3
130 Distinction
EMILY MINSTER
PIANO
4
116 Pass
AVA PODGORSKI
SINGING
7
130 Distinction
FERGUS WARD
SINGING
4
130 Distinction
GEORGIA WARD
SINGING
5
130 Distinction
RICHARD WARE
JAZZ PIANO
4
132 Distinction
ISSY ZARB
SINGING
2
125 Merit
The next entry in school will be in February 2010. If any pupils who achieve success in ABRSM exams and are entered privately would like their results published, then please jot down all the details, and I will include them when February’s results are published. Hamlet and Canterbury Tales were both tremendous dramatic successes, with well-supported performances both in and out of school. Well done to the Year 10 and 11 Drama groups, and to Mr Lewis, supported by Claptrap Theatre, for all the hard work that goes in. The confidence and range of performances have been most impressive. Thank you in advance to all those involved in the Carol Service. With over 85 pupils performing tomorrow evening, I am sure it will be an enjoyable festive occasion. Thank you also in advance to parents for supporting the service. Well done to Ella Wheeler (Year 8), who has successfully reauditioned for the National Children’s Orchestra. The standard required is tremendously high, and she thoroughly deserves her place, playing the French Horn. We have had a large number of youngsters perform in assembly this term, rounded off by tremendous dancing by Year 9 and 10 pupils last week. The continued enjoyment of all who take part in our activities, both in and out of school lessons, is lovely to see, and thanks to colleagues, Mrs Gentry, Mr Lewis and Mr Williamson for their hard work. I hope that it will continue next term, when we embark on a whole-school project, following on from our African singing two years ago. More details to follow!