Ulverston Victoria High School NEWS SPLASH - FEBRUARY 2009
Ulverston Victoria Students Produce Delicious Dishes! Mr Fay writes As this is my first opportunity of 2009 to do so I must wish you all a belated “Happy New Year!” 2009 has started well for Ulverston Victoria! We have had a very successful Local Authority Review on 21st January. Phrases such as “Pupils continue to report that lessons are more interesting, relationships between teachers and pupils improved and the general ethos of the school is one in which they feel they are achieving more” and that “they appreciate and value highly the leadership of this school and the improvements that have been made” This reflects the general flavour of the review (the full review is available on our website). Indeed, the report provides vital evidence for Ofsted on our improvement and there were some very positive informal comments made as well! Further evidence of our improving provision is, of course, our new merit system which is explained elsewhere in the Newsplash and you will be able to see just how your child can get a merit certificate. Although it is an expense, we are sending the certificates home by post at the suggestion of the Parents’ Advisory Group, so then everyone at home can join in the celebrations of the achievement. I hope you will really like the quality of the certificates as they are produced by CGP, the country’s leading publisher of revision guides, free of charge. It is a fantastic sponsorship gesture in the era of the credit crunch and symbolises the commitment of the company to education and their recognition of the improvements we have made at Ulverston Victoria. I hope the “welcome mat” doesn’t become too snowed under with merits dropping through the letter box. Actually though, I do! We are continually seeking to further improve our provision in all aspects. The Local Authority was, for instance, very complementary about all the new aspects of assessment the calendar, yellow stickers, progress reviews, new reports etc. We are doing lots more, including how we find out your thoughts and feelings about the school. There will be more developments in the parent and student voice. Watch this space! However, I would still like to know how you feel about our progress at the moment. If you feel pleased about things in general or specific aspects (or indeed constructive criticism) please write to me, as soon as possible, via the school office, in an envelope marked “Newsplash Response”. I look forward to hearing from you.
The ever-popular Year 9 Food Competition took place this year on Thursday 29th January. Our young and talented celebritychefs-of-the-future focused their imaginative powers and culinary skills on this year’s challenge: Give Leftovers a Makeover! Mrs Greenway, Development Co-ordinator for Food Technology, was highly impressed by the standard attained by the students. Their efforts were subject to stern scrutiny by the panel of judges, comprising Chef Mr John Murray; Mrs Mavis Hall from Inner Wheel; and Mr Cubiss, Head of Year 9.
Prizes were awarded to the following students by Mr John Greenwood, President of The Rotary Club of Ulverston: 1st Prize (Ice-Cream Maker) was won by Anna for her Thai Curry. 2nd Prize (Digital Scales) was awarded to Alice for Chicken Wrapped in Bacon with a Cheese and Chilli Sauce.
3rd Prize (Toasted Sandwich Maker) went to George for Roman Pan-Fried Lamb. 4th Prize (Chocolate Cook Book and Hot Chocolate Set) was won by Connor for his Dark-side Spaghetti. 5th Prize (Tins of Chocolate Biscuits and a Hand-Blender) was awarded to Harriet for her Turkey and Stilton Pie. Jack was awarded 6th Prize (Mediterranean Cookery Book and Pasta Set) for his Venison with Caramelised Carrots. The Master-class section was won by Abigail for her Chicken Vegetable Stew and mouthwatering Chocolate Desert flavoured with Baileys Cream.
Brondesbury Linking and Visit of MP John Hutton John Hutton our local MP and Defence Minister visited the school on January 23rd to hear about our linking with Brondesbury College, a muslim faith school in London. He met 15 of our students who have been involved in the project to hear more about this unique linking. Each student presented their view of the link and this piece was written by Nathan in year 11, our Head Boy. Nathan was also interviewed live on BBC Radio Cumbria about the project on January 26th. The students from Brondesbury will be visiting the school for 3 days in July and we are actively seeking sponsorship for their visit. The linking with Brondesbury College for Boys (BCB) has changed my view on the world around me. It has allowed me to be able to understand the human mind a bit more, and allows me to create more balanced conclusions about the way in which people believe, and why they do things. When we became aware of a linking with an Islamic school from London, there was apprehension on both sides. The students of UVHS even though we are not racist in anyway shape or form, were unconsciously prejudiced against Muslims. The reason for this
prejudiced view of Muslims is because of the negative press that the Islamic faith receives, many terrorist attacks were linked to the Islamic faith. 9/11, Gaza, and the London bombings, these events killed hundreds of innocent people and in our community and understanding were told that it was the Muslims, the minority that participated in terrorist activities, yet give negative press to the majority. Ulverston and the Furness peninsula are composed mainly of white atheists or Christians with hardly any other ethnic group, with the exception of visiting Buddhists coming to the Priory. Therefore schools in this area require a large selection of various religious text books. These textbooks give a good understanding of the Islamic faith, with a high level of detail. From a personal view, the text book gives a biased interpretation of the faith and gives the impression of the Muslim as being a “Collective” that thinks, believes and does the same things. Meeting with the Muslim students, was an amazing experience. It allowed us to exchange questions about each other and gave us a greater understanding of each others faith then it would have been possible, within the restraints of a text book. My first impression of them was that they were human; they believed different things to each other and had their own opinions on their faith. What surprised me most though was how dissimilar each of them were, they were all from different backgrounds some coming from different parts of the world; Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Morocco and London. Their own experiences allowed them to have a personalised view on the faith itself, those that came from Egypt had a slightly different view from those that came from London but still had the same principals. There was one aspect that was supported within the group that came from Brondesbury, they worked together as a team, as a “collective” and supported each other in this way. We are all still in contact with each other, and hopefully the friendship created by the link will last for a long time to come. The linking itself is very important as it allows you to create our own conclusions not those set out by the news. It is because of think linking that many of us have been able to participate more in lessons, not only BPE but other subjects. In BPE it allows us to be able to consider things from an Islamic perspective and be able to compare this with other religions perspectives. Other subjects have also benefited from the linking, as it has allowed us to open our minds and perceive the world slightly differently allowing our creative side to be open. Allowing ourselves a better understanding of one culture and how other cultures can perceive our own culture. Every school should have a link with another cultural school to allow students to maximise their potential in life and give them a better understanding of other cultures. As one day, shortly, the young people will eventually become the adult population and run the world, and if by any chance at all they are misguided about other cultures or do not have the correct education about the world in which we live, we may all be living a different life.
Year 10 Excel in Science Exams Results are out for the first year 10 module exams taken in November and they show that the Science students at UVHS continue to go from strength to strength. Over 70% of results were between A* and C grades, an improvement on last year’s results and in excess of the targets set for the department at this level. 63 students achieved A* or A grades and this is just the beginning – as more progress is made throughout the year and the students complete more module exams we are sure that this year group will achieve the best Science results at UVHS ever. Well done to all students, staff and parents for these fantastic results.
School Coats and Shoes (and Whiskers on Kittens!) We have reminded parents in two newsletters that the school uniform that they agreed to when their children joined the school included a plain school coat. After half term we will be moving towards a much stricter regime in this aspect of school uniform and we would be really grateful for parental support. The simple rule of thumb is that the coat should not be patterned, checked, etc. Neither should it be leather or denim. Can we also include a plea from the Pastoral Leaders that you make sure that your child has proper school shoes and not trainers (even if they are mainly black!)
UVHS Science Gets Wikid
Year 6 Pennington Visit to DT
In this 2008/9 academic year Ulverston Victoria High School Science faculty has introduced a new course for students in year 7. It has been designed by the Association for Science Education and is called UPD8 Wikid. Parents and carers can keep up to date with the new course our students are following at this website: http://www.upd8.org.uk/upd8-wikid.php Upd8 wikid has been designed from first principles to: • Make all science relevant and contemporary. • Turn out students confident with ‘How Science Works’ skills. • Raise students' achievement and understanding. • Equip students for the Assessment of Pupil Performance. • Fit the National Strategy Framework for Secondary Science. Science teaching staff at UVHS were looking for a new Science course which could deliver on student engagement, understanding and skills, rather than just cramming for a test. With UPD8 Wikid, every science lesson gets students motivated to learn, whatever the topic. Themed units set science in dozens of relevant contexts, and carefully crafted teaching sequences promote deep learning. Teachers learning priorities are to establish clear student understanding of the 'Big Ideas' of science, and 'How Science Works' (concepts and skills). The units are constructed around themes and missions, so students see more purpose to learning. Ideally they will experience each unit as a kind of an adventure story, not as a 'difficult or dull' topic. Each module is enquiry based so that students learn as much from their own research as they do by direct instruction; we believe this gives our students ownership of their own Science learning. Assessment for each module is performance basedwe are aiming to test whether students can transfer what they have learned in their Science lessons and use it in the real world, to allow them to develop a lasting understanding of scientific concepts, apply previous knowledge and to assess counter intuitive ideas. Finally we want our students to care deeply about the way the world they live in works and to understand how human activities can affect that world. The stories behind our six year seven units are: Forensics: students take on the part of a trainee forensic scientist and use Science to solve a difficult case. Cook!: students become trainee chefs and learn the Scientific ideas that allow us to cook perfect recipes! Extinction: students are trainee TV reporters tasked with telling the public the story of endangered species. Electromancer: students become Muggle Magicians and master invisible forces! A & E: our students take on the part of a nurse in an accident and emergency department and have to learn to care for patients and babies. Alien: the students become planet hunters looking for extra terrestrial life forms. If there is any more information we can give you about the new developments in our KS3 Science programme please contact us at the school on 01229 894140 extension 226 or at pli@ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk
Last term I had the opportunity of being one of the foreign exchange students at UVHS. The day after I had arrived at my host family’s house in Dalton I had my first day in UVHS 6th form. From the beginning everyone – both teachers and students – made me feel welcome and helped me to settle in my new life. I got the feeling that students accepted me as one of them, not bothering about me first struggling with the cumbrian accent as they were always willing to talk to me and to repeat sentences over and over again which helped me a lot to improve my english. Like this, I had a great time in England and was very sorry to leave after only three months. Thanks again to everyone who helped me enjoy the time! Maria from Germany
Work Related Learning
Chewing Gum
Twenty year 6 pupils spent the morning in the DT faculty manufacturing an electronic Christmas tree decoration. They positioned electronic components, soldered them in place and then tested the circuit. They formed a plastic base for the electronics to fit inside and then assembled all of the parts to complete a very effective product. Using the facilities of the DT department enhanced the pupils learning and was able to extend their skills and knowledge. It is hoped that more
projects will be carried out with other primary schools in the summer term. Quotes from Pennington pupils were;
“I had a really great time in the DT department, my favourite bit was the soldering” - Callum “We really enjoyed using the equipment and to see the Laser cutter working. We were all very pleased with the Little Christmas trees we made” Emily & Hannah
Letter from an Exchange Student
Year 11 Business Studies students sat their Finance Exam in Since we introduced chewing gum detentions the problem of January. This is an extra qualification on top of their GCSE that all chewing gum in school has greatly improved! When we first students have opted to sit. started over thirty children were in detention on a weekly basis The Year 10 Health and Social Care group sat their Unit 3 exam but now we have only three or less regularly. In recognition of in January. This is one third of their final GCSE work. an improved effort from the students I have decided not to run The Year 10 work experience students know their work “chewing gum” detentions after half term and review the placements and will be completing CVs and letters in situation again at Easter. That is not to say that we are now preparation for this (9th - 13th March). allowing chewing gum in school. If your child does so he or Year 10 Asdan students have begun their Young Firefighters she will be placed in a conventional detention. Award. This runs over 12 weeks and contributes to their qualification.
History Department’s visit to Poland th
On 8 February, thirty five History students from years 12 and 13 plus four members of staff will be travelling down to Liverpool airport to board a flight to Krakow in Poland. This will be the start of a four day trip designed to support the students’ study of the Holocaust, which is a part of the History A2 syllabus. While we are there we will walk around Krakow’s pre-war Jewish area, see Schindler’s factory as well as see parts of Krakow where “Schindler’s List” was filmed. The students will also have chance to eat Jewish food and listen to some live Jewish music. Of course, the main focus of the visit will be the full day that we will spend at Auschwitz-Birkenau – the largest and most notorious of the Nazis extermination camps. I am sure that the pupils will see and hear things that they will never forget and for many, it will be a life-changing experience. Huge thanks again to all the parents who are financially supporting their son/daughter on this visit. There will be photos and a report on the school website and in the next news letter after we return.
Language News This term in languages Year 10 have been busy completing their enterprise projects and presenting their power point displays to hotel staff who visited school. All hotel staff complimented students on the quality of their work, their creativity and their team work as well as their politeness, friendliness and confidence. Well done year 10! It’s a shame there is only one winning pair from each class, although the Riverside Hotel came up trumps and offered all students and their families free gym and pool passes. Bon
appétit or Essen Sie gut! to the winners who will enjoy a meal out with their families. It is an exciting year for us as we are entering students for GCSE in 5 languages this year - French and German of course - but also Spanish following a very successful 2 year course which takes place after-school, plus Portuguese and Polish as we have some student native speakers in school. Years 8 and 12 will be travelling to France for a week’s intensive language course. Year 8 will learn bread-making, fencing and climbing and year 12 will visit a French court and police station to find out about the French legal system.
UVHS Awarded UNESCO Status Ulverston Victoria High School has just been awarded UNESCO Associated Schools Status. This is as a result of a new Gifted and Talented linking project with a school in Chiapas in the very South of Mexico. Founded in 1953, UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet), commonly referred to as UNESCO Associated Schools, is a global network of some 8000 educational institutions in 177 countries (ranging from pre-schools and primary to secondary schools and teacher training institutions), who work in support of quality education in practice. The main purpose of UNESCO, according to its Constitution, is to contribute to peace and security by promoting the collaboration of nations through education, science and culture, in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law, human rights and fundamental freedoms for the peoples of the world, regardless of race, sex, language or religion. One of the basic aims of the Organisation has always been the promotion of peace and international co-operation through education. After its foundation in 1946, educators working with UNESCO produced an impressive number of new ideas and suggestions concerning the education of young people for international understanding. In order to translate these ideas into concrete action, UNESCO launched the Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet) in 1953. As of September 2005, it includes over 7793 educational institutions, ranging from pre-school education to teacher training in 175 countries. Associated Schools commit to promoting the ideals of UNESCO by conducting pilot projects in favour of better preparing children and young people to meet effectively the challenges of an increasingly complex and interdependent world. The new ASPnet Strategy and Plan of Action (2004-2009) places emphasis on reinforcing the four pillars of Learning for the 21st Century (learning to know, to do, to be and to live together) and promoting quality education as outlined in the Dakar Framework of Action. ASPnet teachers and students have many opportunities to work together beyond their classrooms to develop innovative educational approaches, methods and materials from local to global levels. http://portal.unesco.org/education/en/ev.phpURL_ID=48712&URL_DO=DO_TOPIC&URL_SECTION=201.html
Sixth Form Join United Nations Debate Last term two teams of sixth formers took part in a United Nations debate on the crisis in Darfur. One team had to role play the part of the Chinese delegation, the other represented Chile. After lots of hard work preparing and researching each position, our teams gave their best and did exceptionally well against some very good opposition schools. The overall prize went to Lancaster Royal Grammar School, but a special mention was made by the event’s organisers of our China delegation, Jonathan and Chris, with Jonathan winning the prize for best speaker on the day. Massive congratulations to all involved, and to Lucy for stepping into the breach and leading the Chile team.
Orinoco Visits Art
Maths News
Courtesy of Mr Smith, Orinoco the owl has been in Art this week having her portrait drawn by year 7. So inspired was Shannon (centre) that she produced this fantastic large drawing - which as you can see Orinoco was also impressed with.
This has been another very successful term for the maths department. Year 11 students sat module 2 of the GCSE course in November and received their results mid January. Thirty students achieved an A*, which is a fantastic achievement. Even more amazing was the fact that six students scored 100% on both papers. We are delighted for the year group and would also like to thank parents for their efforts in ensuring that the children of UVHS achieve their full potential. This is the time of year when year 11 students are thinking about their choices for AS level in year 12. Nearly 90 students have indicated that they wish to take a maths AS level. We are delighted by this and believe this demonstrates the strength of maths in the school. The Primary Maths Club has started its second term with a bang: all 45 students have competed in a problem solving quiz and quite a few pairs managed to get all the puzzles correct. They have also studied M C Escher and set about drawing impossible shapes for themselves. Year 7 will also be problem solving this week as they grapple with over 50 tasks in a competition for the whole year group in the school hall. Meanwhile about 60 students from years 9, 10 and 11 take on the Intermediate Maths Challenge, a national competition with Gold, Silver and Bronze Certificates at stake. Year 8 and 9 mathematicians are in the final stages of their training for the Regional Final of the Team Maths Challenge held at Barrow Sixth Form College in March. And if anyone is still short of mathematical opportunity then there is the January Competition to enter. This is open to anyone in Years 7 to 11 and not all the questions have to be solved – any correct solutions to any of the problems are welcome. Finally, a special mention should go to Hamish and Jared in Year 11 who worked together, outside of lessons, to successfully solve a challenging problem set on Cambridge University’s Nrich website. The problem was aimed at A level students, and Hamish and Jared’s elegant solution has now been published on the website – a great honour!
Missing Child Appeal to Schools Our son Andrew Gosden has been missing from home in Doncaster since 14th September 2007, all we know is he headed to London. Since this time we have no confirmable evidence that he is alive and well. Andrew’s reasons for leaving are completely unknown. We are deeply concerned for our son’s safety and well being. We are asking for your help, is there any one new to your area that could be Andrew? Is there anyone you know that could fit his description? Andrew is now 15 years old and would be in Year 10 or 11. The above photo was taken in August 2007, the month before Andrew disappeared. He was then 14: his appearance is likely to have altered since Andrew may have altered his hair and dress style and will now be taller than the 5’3” he was when he left. If you have any information at all please get in touch, contact Missing people (freephone) 0500 700 700 www.missingpeople.org.uk or e-mail me, Andrew’s father, at kevin.gosden@hotmail.co.uk.
Cinderella - A Sparkling Panto! In the last week of the Christmas term, GCSE Drama students performed their devised pantomime for Croftlands, SJB and St Mary’s Primary Schools to resounding cheers and shots of “he’s behind you!” The UVHS hall saw Ellie (in the lead role as Cinderella) mistreated by the ugly sisters (Kurtis and Patrick ) until the arrival of her fairy Godmother, ably played by Aimee. Miss Hicks, Head of Drama, was very proud of all the cast and crew, including Lucy of Year 10 who made the matinees magical with her sound and lighting. Well done to all!
Upcoming Events.......... “Carousel” - The Musical On 25th, 26th, 27th and 28th February, the Drama and Music Department jointly presents a production of the popular Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “Carousel”. Set in New England, the show tells the story of a carnival boy, Billy Bigelow who falls in love with a young girl - Julie Jordan - then becomes involved in a series of tragic events which leads to his death... If only he could return to earth for one day to put right his wrongs..... The cast for “Carousel” includes students from Year 8 to Year 13, singing with a live stage band. We look forward to another successful show! Posters will soon be appearing in school. Adult tickets are £5.00, with student tickets £2.00. Family tickets (2 adults/2 children) are available at the reduced price of £12.00. All enquiries to the school box office on 01229 894140 or ask at Reception.
South Cumbria Schools Ski Course
Musical Ensembles Wow Audience!
Pila in Italy was the venue for this years South Cumbria Schools Ski Course. UVHS students were part of a party of over 300 Cumbrian pupils from seven local schools to invade the slopes! Groups of students were taught by qualified instructors to learn the basic skills or, for the more experienced, to improve their technique. In the evenings a full programme of events allowed our students to mix with pupils from the other schools, with the activities centred around the ancient Roman town of Aosta. All our students made tremendous progress, achieving excellent results in the ski assessment tests. Charlotte (Yr. 10), already an experienced skier, achieved the highest grade possible from the ski school. Her five star award was an outstanding result and puts her amongst the top category skiers. All the UVHS skiers thoroughly enjoyed the whole experience and for the first time there wasn’t an injury to anyone in our party – a record !!
It has been an extremely busy period, as usual, for the ensembles in Music Department, with the Swing Band playing in Scales for the W.I., the Dickensian Festival and also in Millom for the Round Table and Inner Wheel. The Junior Woodwind Ensemble performed several engagements, including the SJB Christmas Concerts, Ulverston Townswomen’s Guild and Duddon W.I., the Brass Ensemble performed a ‘Carols on the Green’ event at Lindal, and the new String Quartet completed it’s first engagement performing at a wedding at the Abbey House Hotel. All students acquitted themselves superbly, playing to an exceptionally high standard and being a real credit to UVHS.
Further Oxbridge Success in 2009!
th Following on from 2008 when four of our students started On Tuesday 16 December, the Music Department heralded courses at Oxford and Cambridge Universities, a further four the end of the Autumn Term with a spectacular Christmas students have had offers to study for September 2009. They are Festival, performed to a packed Coronation Hall. The school Sarah Pamenter (Natural Sciences at Cambridge), Maddy Wind Band led the proceedings brilliantly, accompanying the (Archaeology and Anthropology at Cambridge), Rachael audience carols as well as playing several seasonal pieces, (Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry at Oxford) and Jan including the film music for Tim Burton’s ‘The Nightmare Before (Computer Science at Oxford). Considering that 11 of our Christmas’: this was performed in three sections which were students have applied to Oxbridge over the last two years we are divided by Year 10, 11 and 12/13 students reading the extracts very proud that 8 have received offers, a success rate to match from the poem upon which the film was based. Also any sixth form in the country considering that at top universities performing were the Junior Orchestra and Flute Choir (who both opened the proceedings with a 25 minute set as the audience there are now often 20 applicants per available place. were arriving), the Brass Ensemble, Clarinet Choir, Choir and Junior Woodwind Ensemble (who decided to go away from the seasonal repertoire and performed extracts from ‘Mamma Mia’ We have exciting news regarding an art competition which instead). students aged 13 to 19 may enter. Students are asked to create a design which shows a cycling theme and will be placed on the back of a 50p coin. The winning entry will be produced and circulated by the Royal Mint for 2010 prior to the London Olympics in 2012. The winner will be invited to the Royal Mint to see their design produced and will even get a solid gold coin produced to keep as well as having their design circulated around the UK on the back of every 50p coin! Thanks must go to Miss Thomason for organising all the It is a fantastic opportunity and anyone interested should see Ms readings and the readers, Mrs Heginbotham and Mrs Reed for Hunter in Art Room N3 at lunchtimes on Monday, Wednesday or organising some of the Ensembles, and most of all to Mrs Lister Friday to find out more details and collect an entry form. Students and the Technology Faculty for yet another superb batch of can also look at further details on the website mulled wine. All of this contributed to yet another superb http://www.royalmintcompetition.co.uk/. Posters will be going evening’s entertainment from the Music Department and one up around school to promote this competition further, with a that all the students involved can be rightly proud of being closing date for entries of 24th April 2009. involved in.
Royal Mint Art Competition
Sixth Formers Visit St Mary’s School Ulverston sixth form students were delighted to be invited to a discussion along with the Prime Minister Gordon Brown by class five from St Mary's primary school about the topic of graffiti. Unfortunately, Mr Brown was unable to attend but our students were most impressed by how knowledgeable and prepared the primary school children were and certainly found the whole experience worthwhile and enjoyable. We look forward to any future events of this nature.
The Great Uniform Debate Due to all the recent national and local publicity with regard to the purchase of school uniform the governors asked me to look into the issue so we started the “Great uniform Debate” in the October Newsplash. You might be surprised to know that responses are still coming in! Over fifty parents replied but as we have many more parents than that the governors feel that there was not a strong enough mandate for any changes to the uniform on its supply. Most parents from these who replied would prefer more than one supplier. A significant number of parents wanted a more formal uniform whilst others wanted it to remain the same. In conclusion, therefore, the results of the survey were inconclusive and the situation will remain the same. However the governors are eager to look at the school’s relationship with Identity in the future.
Year 10 Students Build Link with Pequeno Sol School, Mexico
Year 10 students building a new link with ‘Pequeno Sol’ school, Chiapas Mexico with the theme of ‘SUSTAINABILITY’ Pequeno sol (little Sun) is a small school in the very south of Mexico in a town called San Cristobal de las Cassas, Chiapas Mexico. http://www.pequenosol.org/index.php Chiapas is a state of Mexico which is very rich in terms of natural resources such as water and certain minerals; it is also one of the most bio diverse regions in the world and contains the last piece of rain forest in Mexico – the Selva Lacandona. However it is also one of the poorest regions of Mexico in terms of wealth. Over 50% of the people who live there are indigenous living in much the same way as they were when the Spanish came in 1521, cooking their tortilla over an open fire in their wooden framed houses high in the mountains. Until recently these people did not have access to modern healthcare, education and even We have signed up for a great new collection scheme that could now many provide us with hundreds of new books for the school library, communities do not and we would like your help. have piped water or From January 11th, Books for Schools electricity. Tokens will appear every day in The Times In 1994 there was and The Sunday Times. We can exchange rebellion in Chiapas these tokens for free books of our choice from a catalogue of 170 titles. There will be 12 tokens printed every week, and with books when thousands of starting at only 10 tokens, you don’t have to be a regular Times people came from reader to really make a difference to our collection. their villages in the Please collect as many tokens as you can and give them to your mountains into the child to bring to school. Tokens can be large towns such as deposited in our special collection boxes, or San Cristobal under given to a member of staff. Why not ask the leadership of your employer or other local businesses to Subcomandante collect on the school’s behalf as well? We Marcos armed with can provide you with a copy of a letter to guns and sticks assist with approaching these companies. demanding from the government a fair share in the wealth and We will be placing our first book order at the end of the spring life of the rest of Mexico. term, so please make sure we have all your tokens before the Since then many NGO’s (non governmental Organisations such Easter holidays begin on Friday 3rd April. as the UN and others) have made a base in San Cristobal With your help we can make a real difference to our children’s making it is very interesting community. library, ensuring that they have access to The young people we are linking with come from many some of the very best titles available to different backgrounds. encourage them to read and improve their The theme of the link is Sustainability, Students on both sides of literacy. the link will be sharing their vision for a sustainable world and Many thanks, in advance, for your help. supporting development of environmental projects in both our schools. Pequeno Sol has been a UNESCO School for many years. Now UVHS is also a UNESCO School we have unique possibilities to UVHS homework clubs will be held on develop and reflect upon the UNESCO themes of Human Rights Mondays and Thursdays after school and Sustainability together. We are excited to be linking for one from 3.30 pm until 4.30 pm in our Library. reason that the school has worked with the process called Monday is open to all Year 10 and 11 Philosophical enquiry for many years. students only and will give them an Take a look at the new BLOG that has been set up by the opportunity to work on coursework. Computing teacher there to help us communicate. cumbriachiapaslink@wordpress.com Thursday is open to all year groups.
Books for Schools
UVHS After School Homework Club
Parents’ Advisory Group - Year 7 Parents Our Parents’ Advisory Group (PAG) meets informally on a half term basis with Mr Fay and other members of staff and the governors. If parents of Year 7 students want to join the group please contact Mrs Petersen at school on 01229 483908. The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 11th February.