SUMMER 2019
ST CHAD’S ART EXHIBITION DRAWS IN THE CROWDS
Contents 03 04 06 07 08 09 10
Students in Normandy D-Day Service
DofE Award News
Readathon News // Science @ Runcorn All Saints
STEM at St Chad’s
The Big Bang Science Fair History trip to Krakow, Poland
Physics Trip to Daresbury // BTEC Music Concert
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Former student enjoys Singing Success!
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World War I Workshop
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Primary Partner Links
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2019 Art Exhibition
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Art in Education
STUDENTS IN NORMANDY SERVICE Two St. Chad’s students spent a week in Arromanches, Normandy at the end of May, beginning of June, as part of the 306 Runcorn Squadron of the RAF Cadets. Michael O’Hare and Shannon Baldwin were billeted at a campsite right outside this northern town and spent time with their squadron preparing for the D-Day services that we all saw on the news on 6th June. This service was commemorating the 75th anniversary of the event that was historically so important for the end of World War II. The two cadets, along with others from Runcorn and Merseyside, went by coach and ferry to Normandy for the commemorations. During their time in Arromanches the cadets visited the war graves of French, British and German soldiers; went to the beaches of Omagh, Sword, Juno and Utah
and they also visited Pegasus Bridge and a local World War II museum. Preparations for the marches, parades and services they would attend on D-Day were a major part of the time spent in France. There was also a lot of uniform preparation before any marches and parades - a key element of being a successful cadet! Shannon was privileged to support a war veteran, Len, and she accompanied him at the service and laid a wreath on his behalf - some of which was captured on Sky News. Both students said what an honour it was to be selected to attend and how proud they were to represent their squadron in Arromanches. This was Michael’s second visit to Arromanches and it was Shannon’s first. They have created amazing memories from such a special event. 03
Bronze Our group of 45 Year 10 students completed their Bronze expeditions in May and June. The first group in May had glorious weather to complete their expedition from Frodsham through Delamere Forest to Forest Camp near Cuddington returning on the second day. The June group were not quite so fortunate starting off on a wet Saturday morning with no respite till near the end of the walk. Both groups had an excellent camp and were outstanding in their campcraft. A large number have indicated a wish to take part in the Silver Award next year. Thank you to all the staff who supported both expeditions and the practice day walk in March.
Silver Eighteen Year 11 students took part in the final qualifying three day expedition for Silver DofE on June 23rd . We had to shorten the practice expedition in April after Storm Hannah made their first day and night camp very unpleasant. Our Silver group appeared to be dogged by bad weather again as after a long day walk from Chirk on the first day they had to put up tents at the first campsite in pouring rain. The expected thunderstorms never appeared however and day two was hot and humid but at least dry. After another long walk the group were able to spend a very pleasant evening at Abbey Farm campsite on the Monday. The final day however brought more rain and mist contributing to very poor visibility on the hills. Despite this our groups all navigated exceptionally well and in record time to
reach their final destination at the Horseshoe Pass. A very successful qualifying expedition. We were even able to celebrate Lucy Bennett’s birthday on the Monday!
Bussell. Holly completed her award this year. Her volunteering section of the award was completed with 6th Runcorn Beaver Scouts, while her physical and skills sections involved gym work with aim of completing a 10K and learning to drive. Hopefully Holly’s successful completion will encourage others to take on the challenge of completing their Gold Award. Holly has shown real determination and strength of character to see her award through to completion and exemplifies the spirit of the DofE.
Gold Holly Dorgan received her Gold D of E certificate at Buckingham Palace on May 22 nd . Holly received her award from Sophie Countess of Wessex. The event was held on the lawns of the Palace and was attended by many celebrities from across the sporting, journalistic and entertainment world including Martin Kemp, Jenny Bond, Jason Kenny, John Torode, Alistair McGowan, Justin Hall, Carol Kirkwood and Darcey
Our current Gold group have been on expedition from 8th to 11th July in the Lake District. You can expect a full report and photographs in the next edition of The Bridge!
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SCIENCE TEAM PARTNER WITH LJMU AND RUNCORN ALL SAINTS’ During the first week in July, Years 7 to 9 took part in Halton Libraries’ Readathon. Students (and staff) were challenged to read for 300+ minutes over 5 days and this could be anywhere, any-time: in lessons, at break or lunchtime, or at home. Halton’s aim was to encourage reading for pleasure and they set a target of 60,000 minutes wover 6 days with our reading minutes to be included in this. By Friday St Chad’s had added 27,818 reading minutes helping Halton’s total grow to 125,155 minutes. Students read everything from comic books to Shakespeare, the Guinness Book of Records and Harry Potter. Well done and well-read to all who took part!
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The Science department and St Chad’s students have had the pleasure of working with two talented trainee teacher for LJMU. Both Miss Donelly and Miss Court have passed their PGDE with an outstanding grading and have secured teaching posts on the Isle of Man. We would like to thank them for the hard work and contributions to the department and wish them well for the start of their careers in education. Mrs Furniss, Miss Donelly and Miss Court visited Year 3 and 4 students and their teacher Mrs O’Rourke to help the children learn about how plants grow. The children also made grassheads which will be judged on best design, best hair do and most original. Everyone, teachers included, really enjoyed the afternoon and are looking forward to more visits and working closely with Runcorn All Saints.
STEM@St Chad’s STEM is a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach. Rather than teach the four disciplines as separate and discrete subjects, STEM integrates them into a cohesive learning paradigm based on real-world applications. Recently some year 9 students from St. Chad’s Catholic and Church of England High School attended a STEM event organised jointly between Alstom and Riverside College at the Cronton site, where they focused on how the train manufacturer uses the STEM disciplines to meet the needs of their customers. Fourteen year 9 students were selected to attend this womenonly event. Students participated in four hands on workshops focusing on the use of metal and magnets is braking at a station, electronics design for signalling,
creating a control sequence to guide a gyroscope through a maze and designing a party train using aspects of 3D printing to create a logo and CAD to design the carriage. The aim of the workshops was to inspire stud its to consider the wealth of engineering, science and computing roles in employment at the moment and to highlight that their skills and creative thinking as women are in demand. Currently of the STEM Engineering based careers available in the UK only 9% are filled by women. A spokesperson at the school said that the students will have the opportunity in the autumn term of their year 10 to develop their understanding further by visiting and working alongside staff from Alstom Widnes site. Staff involved in the visit were overwhelmed with the students interest, problem solving skills and willingness to try new technologies. Did you know Alstom hope to have a hydrogen fuelled train in development within the next 3 years ? 07
When the Big Bang careers event hit the Exhibition Centre in Liverpool in July, students from St. Chad’s Catholic & Church of England High School were there to gather ideas about careers in STEM-led businesses and organisations. Forty five Year 9 students visited the exhibition. They all really enjoyed the event and were a credit to both school, parents and carers.
visits to the RAF exhibitors and some students even tried their hand at horse riding. One Year 9 student, Shannon Baldwin, was identified as an exemplary student during the trip to Big Bang Northwest and as such she has been invited to participate in summer training with the RAF to help her future job aspirations.
An excellent day all round where The students took part in a wide students were inspired to think range of activities including: widely about the variety of jobs news reading with local news and careers that an interest in teams, taking blood samples, STEM subjects can lead them some had a try at medical into. joint replacement, there were
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KRAKOW During half-term students and staff from St. Chad’s Catholic & Church of England High School visited Poland, staying in the beautiful city of Krakow. After travelling to Poland from Stanstead Airport on the Tuesday everyone went to the former Jewish quarter of the city, now called Kazimierz, for a tour of some of the impressive architecture. Kazimierz was the site of the wartime ghetto of Podgorze and where the famous humanitarian Oskar Schindler had his ammunition factory during World War II. Wednesday saw the group travel to the former concentration camp the Nazis ran at Auschwitz-Birkenau. What the students and staff saw here is likely to remain with them for a life-time. It has allowed
everyone to consider the events that occurred inside this labour camp and understand why what happened here more than 70 years ago cannot be allowed to happen again. Thursday involved a visit to the Galicia Jewish Museum where the group had the privilege of talking to a lady who is a Holocaust survivor. An extremely thought-provoking and poignant visit to Poland.A spokesperson for the school said, “For a visit like this to be worthwhile students need to appreciate and understand the enormity of what happened in Auschwitz-Birkenau and why it is important that we never forget. Each and every student has taken something profound from this visit they were a credit to the school and their families!� 09
BTEC MUSIC CONCERT
Year 12 physicists recently attended a Nuclear Physics Masterclass at the STFC Daresbury Laboratory. This even showcased the world of nuclear physics research and its applications in a real science environment. Pupils were able to use computer simulations and real gamma ray detectors to investigate radiation, attended a short careers session and tour of the facilities, and in the afternoon took part in building a large chart of radioactive isotopes out of Lego. The event was successful and well-received by pupils, who enjoyed the chance to interact with real researchers and technical staff and see what options their A-Levels might give them in the future.
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With a large variety of genres performed, St. Chads created With a large variety of genres an amazing atmosphere performed, St. Chads created at their latest concert on 3rd at and an amazing atmosphere 4thlatest July. Itconcert was planned their on 3rd by andthe amazing BTEC students 4th July. It year was 10 planned by the with pupils of BTEC all ages, ranging amazing year 10 students from year of 7s all to ages, year 13s, taking with pupils ranging part in the show. There were from Year 7s to Year 13s, taking 80sin songs, songs from last part the show. There were year, fast songs, 80s songs, songs slow from songs last - everyone watching had a year, fast songs, slow songs they loved! - performance everyone watching had a The hall was full on both performance they loved! nights; proud parents along The hall was full onclapping both nights; and smiling performers got proud parents as clapping along ready to play and sing got their and smiling as performers chosen ready to song. play and sing their The audiences left with smiles chosen song. on audiences their faces, as smiles did the The left with and as thedid yearthe 10s onperformers, their faces, were proudand of their performers, the production. Year 10s were proud of their production.
SINGING
This year has proven to be one of the best yet for our fantastic singers at St Chad’s. In October we were selected to perform for Bishop Mark Davies at a special Mass in Chester Cathedral, which was a huge honour. In November our two sixth form Choir Leaders, Ruby Thornton and Sarah Fowler, were invited to duet at the ‘Poppies and Forgetme-nots’ Remembrance Event, commemorating the centenary of the end of the First World War at St John’s Church in Weston Village. December saw approximately a hundred singers – including our staff choir – take to the stage to perform at our fantastic and hugely successful, annual Christmas Carol Concert. This was a wonderful charity event that mixed traditional carols and readings with contemporary Christmas songs and dance. However, alongside the various concerts, shows, services and masses the choir and singers have performed at, we have also achieved ground breaking success with our external singing examinations this year! A number of years ago Miss Smith set up St Chad’s as an exam centre for The London College of Music; this meant that students could take
WITH DISTINCTION
singing examinations within our school premises. This has proved very successful and in March an external examiner from The London College of Music conducted a vocal examination session at St Chad’s. Miss Smith trained, rehearsed and put forward sixteen vocal candidates for these examinations. These were talented students from Years 9-13 with students taking a range of exams starting at Grade 4 to the highest, Grade 8 – which four of our students were entered for. We were delighted to discover that after months of hard work and preparation all sixteen St. Chad’s candidates gained Distinction level passes! This is a rare occurrence and an outstanding achievement for our singers. We are so very proud of their achievements.
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FORMER STUDENT ENJOYS
SINGING SUCCESS
where she was again successful – gaining 95%.
As a result of these qualifications and her audition, Olivia was accepted to the Conservatoire to study Voice. At the time Olivia stated, “Singing is what I’ve always wanted to do and after In May Miss Smith had to the lots of hard work I couldn’t be joy and privilege of attending a happier to be one step closer to final year recital performance achieving my dreams.” to see former student, classical singer Olivia Tringham, in her At RNCM Olivia studied under final, fourth year recital at The the tutelage of international Royal Northern College of tenor, Peter Wilson and was able Music. Olivia studied singing to take advantage of the varied at St Chad’s with vocal tutor performance opportunities that Miss Smith for seven years. the college offered. As Olivia Olivia was entered for all of her states, she has performed ‘as a graded vocal examinations, soloist in their Chamber Choir, passing with distinctions. in opera choruses such as After completing two different Offenbach’s `La Vie Parisienne` contemporary Grade 8 vocal exams, Olivia sat her Grade 8 classical singing exam for which she was again awarded a distinction. Whilst still in sixth form, Miss Smith also put Olivia forward for a Vocal Diploma (a university level qualification) 12
and in a commercial CD recording of Cellier’s `Dorothy`. This has led to her being cast as La Suora Infermiera in Puccini’s `Suor Angelica and as Mère Marie in `Poulenc’s Dialogues des Carmélites`. She has also performed opera scenes such as `Flight` by Jonathan Dove and Baraber’s `A Hand of Bridge.’ Miss Smith was in awe at Olivia’s final recital, and how far she has progressed over the last four years; it came as no surprise to them that she achieved a First for the performance and a First Class Honours, overall, for her degree. Olivia is now continuing as a Masters student at the RNCM for a further two years whilst also working with and, as Olivia herself says, `inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to step out of their comfort zone to enjoy and perform all genres of music’.
WWI WORKSHOP On 8th July year 10 students enjoyed a World War I workshop with Bill Smith from @WarWorkshops. The session began with the students exploring artefacts including weaponry, clothing and day to day items from the trenches. Many students took advantage of the opportunity to dress up in World War I uniforms and other clothing; they interacted with and handled World War I weapons. Students then learned about the stories of three real life soldiers and their experiences at the Battle of the Somme. Macy said “I think the World War One Workshop went really well and it was a great opportunity to learn more about the roles and what was used during the war.”
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PARTNERPRIMARYLINKS So much work has been completed this year with our partner primary schools, where to start?
included a treasure hunt and singing in Spanish, a maths lesson with a distinct geography focus and an archaeological dig with a difference in history. Well done to everyone who attended - there will be another session in September so watch out for news of that! Our Chinese Hanban teacher, Ms. Weimin Xue has delivered Mandarin Chinese lessons in culture and language at Castle View this summer. Miss Ord July 1st and 2nd were the said the children at her school transition days for our Year 6 had thoroughly enjoyed the students who are coming to sessions and some were now join us in September. They responding to the register in had two very busy days with Mandarin. lessons in RE, English, science and language. There was a tour Our links between schools of the school, a music concert continue to grow stronger and and a Service of Welcome, we look forward to more events to which many parents and in 2019/20 between St. Chad’s family members came along. and Runcorn primary schools, We are really looking forward to staff and students. getting to know you all better in September!
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Mrs Corker, Miss Kane, Miss Forshaw and Mrs Farrar delivered a Europe themed stretch & challenge day in June to Year 5 students. Sessions
2019 EXHIBITION
On Wednesday 10th July, the Art Department proudly opened their doors to the GCSE Art exhibition. It is always a fitting way to end the school year showcasing the amazing work and talents of our students. The diversity of work on show reflected the wide range of ideas, which were explored, through paint and print, drawing, photography and 3D. The students produced some stunning outcomes, which were enjoyed by all the visitors. Well done, GCSE and A level artists! There will be another exhibition open to the public in the autumn term next year.
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ARTeducation
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Art education is far more wide reaching than you may think. The exam level Assessment Objectives reward the development of ideas, exploration and experimentation, analysis of art forms and skills, and responding to experiences and observations. In short, there is a lot of thinking going on.
possible chances for success in the future. Art encourages risk taking at a time when students are fearful of making mistakes and “failing”. The ability to take risks, accept and learn from “failures” and move on is widely recognised as being of benefit educationally, moving an individual from a fixed mind set to a growth mind set.
I am always very keen to emphasise the wide range of transferable skills that art students develop. Analysing and interpreting past artworks develops abilities useful in the evaluation of sources in history. Exploring a range of processes and materials cultivates problem solving skills that would be used in the sciences. In forming art project rationales, skills relevant to philosophy, English and once again history are nurtured. So the benefits to other areas of a student’s education can be evidenced, but it is not really about that, it’s more to do with providing young people with the best
At St Chad’s we are very proud of the Art department and the dedication of staff and students. This term you will have seen the many tweets about the magnificent work produced by students across Key Stage 4. Keeley Mullen received the 3rd place prize for the Dot.Art competition for her aerial views.
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