Ulverston Victoria High School NEWS SPLASH ‐ OCTOBER 2009
Parents of Our New Year 7 Students give Ulverston Victoria High School the Thumbs Up! At our recent informal parents’ evening for Year 7, all the parents completed a survey on how well their children had settled in to A happy new school year to all our parents and a particularly school and also assessed the quality of the work the school had happy new school year to our new parents whose children done to make sure the children got off to the best possible start. have joined in Year 7 or are part of the We received an overwhelming positive response! many students who have arrived in other 98% agreed that their children enjoyed school. year groups from Year 8 to Year 12! 91% found the individual summer meeting at the end of The school has got off to a great start. Year 6 to be useful. Once again we are celebrating record 97% thought that the flow of information was handled examination results at GCSE and at A Level. well. The attendance of our students has 97% thought that the teaching was good. improved considerably and the behaviour 94% agreed that it was easy for their children to settle at and engagement of the students is UVHS. generally excellent. They are a great 93% thought UVHS to be a good school that their children credit to you. wre proud to attend. However, we are not complacent. It would be easy to rest on 94% considered that the staff give their children good our laurels and say “job done”. Yet is is far from done. This support. school, even though OFSTED have once more moved the goal 95% viewed the school as clean and tidy. posts, wants to be and should be outstanding. That is our 92% thought there is a good range of extra curricular target and we are determinedly aiming at it! activities. Look forward to seeing us work hard to sustain and further 95% were positive that the school lived up to their develop the traditional strengths of the school. Look forward expectations. to seeing us work hard to try to improve our learning Two aspects gave us food for though as only 57% use the school environment. Look forward to seeing us work hard and web site and 80% agreed that an appropriate amount of innovate to improve the teaching and learning of all our children. homework was set. Let’s be partners in this endeavour. Onwards and upwards! We have identified from other sources that some parents feel that too much homework is set to Year 7 and too much of it is ICT based. We are on an improvement drive in our homework practise and Harvest Celebration last year the criticism was too little was set! Our Harvest assembly took place on the afternoon of Wednesday 7th October, with Reverend Wells as our guest UVHS : A Mathematics and speaker. Thank you to parents of Computing College Years 7 and 8 In July 2009 UVHS was re designated as a DfES students, who Maths and Computing College. This means kindly donated that we are an inclusive school working within items of food. a rigorous three‐year development plan, Our thanks also designed to improve standards as a whole and go to Mrs Lister to raise performance and participation in Mathematics and for baking the loaf Computing/ICT.
Mr Fay writes...............
and to Mrs Gorton and Mrs Higgins for their lovely display work. The food was distributed to people in need in the local community and the loaf was donated to the residents of Abbeyfield to accompany their tea.
Our Telephone Number is Changing! On our return from October half term the school telephone number will change to 01229 483900. We apologise if this causes any inconvenience, but this is necessary as we appreciate it has been difficult for callers to get through in the past. The switchboard installation of this new and modern system will occur over the October half term holiday and unfortunately we will be unable to accept calls over this period. This will hopefully run smoothly and alleviate any further frustrations for parents.
The Bronte Experience On June 24th A‐Level Literature students visited the Bronte Parsonage Museum in Haworth, Yorkshire. We were given an interesting illustrated talk about the lives and work of the Bronte sisters, followed by a guided walk around Haworth. We were amazed to learn that the small graveyard in front of the parsonage contained 42,000 bodies. This is what Emily saw from her bedroom window each morning, so it is hardly surprising that she seems so preoccupied with death in Wuthering Heights! We followed the route of her daily walks, finding out about living conditions in Haworth and the historical and cultural background to the novels as we went. We got a real feel for what the town must have been like in the 1850’s, though we suspect that Charlotte never had a trim at ‘Jane Hair’ or got a take‐away from the Bronte Balti House! We spent some time in the parsonage, seeing the tiny books, no bigger than a large postage stamp, that were the girls’ first stories, written in childhood, and the tiny dress and shoes belonging to the adult Charlotte. We then walked over the moors to picnic at Bronte Bridge, a favourite place for Emily to sit and write poetry, before climbing steeply up to the site of Wuthering Heights farmhouse. Even in the glorious summer weather we felt the wild remoteness of the place, and were happy to imagine the storms and blizzards that Cathy and Heathcliff battled through. We had an excellent day – enjoyable and useful background to our studies next year.
Lateness
Townlands Trust Awards
In our constant drive to improve the school and prepare the students for the world of work we have been focusing on casual lateness. I know as responsible parents that you would want to know if you child is late for school so we have introduced, as part of our texting service, a text message informing you that your child has been late to school. I know you will talk to your child about the importance of punctuality and there will be no need for any further sanctions.
For many years Mr Twentymen, a representative of the Ulverston Townlands Trust has been associated with the school sixth form. The trust, which has been in existence since the end of the 18th century, has generously given £1000 every year to be shared between five sixth formers who have achieved particularly highly at A2 level and have then gone on to University. The main other criterion is that the students must reside within the town of Ulverston. The five students selected to receive the award this year will be informed in writing and their names will be published in the next news letter. We heartily thank the Townlands Trust for their continuing support.
Exam Performance GCSE : This year we sustained our excellent performance from last year. Our target for this year was 54% 5+A*‐C including English and Maths. We achieved 62%. This exceptional performance is well above the county and national average and is a reflection of all the hard work shown by our fantastic students and is testament to the dedication of the teaching and support staff. 99% of our students left Year 11 with at least 5 GCSEs at grade G or above. This represents a huge increase on last year and our best ever result. 23% of students gained either a grade A or A*. This is 5% higher than last year and way above the national average. There were some fantastic performances in both academic and vocational courses. Special mention should go to Ellie who achieved 9A*s, Holly and Michael with 8A*s along with Jessica , Joe and Jared who all achieved 7A*s. ‘A’ Level : Once again our examination performance was exceptional. This year the school has achieved its highest ever overall grading from ALPs, the organisation that measures the effectiveness of performance at Sixth Form level, and is placed in the top 25% of Sixth Forms in terms of performance in the country! ALPs were particularly im‐ pressed with the performances of English, Mathe‐ matics and Music which have performed excellently for over three years in a row. Indeed this year Further Mathematics achieved a Grade 1 from ALPs. Our ALPs performance for Further Mathematics was better than any other of the 1200+ Sixth Form Colleges who use ALPs com‐ pared to 2008 data. This was matched by a grading of 1 for History at AS level. Special mention should go to five students who achieved 5 ‘A’ grades: Lucy , who has gone on to study at UCL, Rachael studying Biochemistry at Oxford, James , studying Engineering at Newcastle, Lisa , studying Psychology at Lancaster and Charlotte , our Head Girl, who is now studying Psychology at Liverpool. UVHS Sixth Form is thriving and this year it has attracted a record number of applications with over 140 students joining in Year 12. The future is bright at UVHS. For a full breakdown of exam performance please visit www.ulverstonvictoria.cumbria.sch.uk
Maths Celebrate Best Ever Exam Results Enterprising Business Students As a Specialist Maths and Computing College we are happy to report another great set of Maths exam results from our stu‐ dents. All the hard work by them, teachers and their extremely supportive parents really paid off and we achieved our best ever Maths results. At KS4 the number of students achieving GCSE grade A*‐C rose to 71.4% compared to the national average of 57.2%. We also had a huge increase in the proportion of students achieving A and A* grades. In 2008 11.4% of our students achieved A or A* whereas this summer the figure was 29.2% compared to the national average of 15.4% In A level Maths 57% of students achieved grades A or B and in Further Maths 86% achieved grade A. This resulted in UVHS being the highest performing school in the UK for value added in Further Maths! Since 2005 there has been a dramatic increase in the number of students taking A level Maths and Further Maths. Our numbers have risen from 13 Maths students in 2005 to 34 in 2008 and Maths now has the largest cohort of any A level subject in the sixth form. In year 12, 76 students are studying Maths at AS level, 10 Use of Maths at AS level and 17 Further Maths. In other news we are pleased to welcome back Miss Foxon who has returned to teach AS Maths on a part time basis. Additional‐ ly Mrs Desbottes is now coordinating the work of the specialism in addition to her role as subject leader for mathematics. Mrs Quinn is working alongside Mrs Desbottes with a particular focus on supporting the school specialism of Maths and Comput‐ ing in the local community. If you have any suggestions as to how the school can work with its stakeholders in the community then please contact Mrs Desbottes or Mrs Quinn with your ideas – they will be delighted to hear from you as one of our main aims this year is to reinforce UVHS’s position at the heart of the local community. Additionally if you feel there is anything you would like to discuss about your child’s education or have ideas as to how we can improve our provision in Maths we would be happy to hear from you. Please just call school to make an appointment and Mrs Desbottes will be pleased to meet with you. Thank you.
Good Attendance is Vital! We have been researching the exam performance of last year’s Year 11 against the attendance of each child. I guess you won’t be surprised to know that the best attenders achieved the best results in relationship to their target grades! However, even we were surprised by the extent that performance was affected by absence and how quickly absence becomes a factor. Students with 95‐100% attendance performed brilliantly and exceeded their targets. From 94% downwards the effect on examination grades begins to become obvious. Below 90% and there is a significant gap between what the students could have achieved and what were their actual achievements. The gap is sometimes disguised by a good examination result which, however, could have been better. At the 80% level of attendance the students achievements are dramatically below their targets. What is the moral of the story? I suppose firstly it is “don’t let your children get into the habit of staying off school for minor ailments”. Secondly, it must be if you take a child away on holiday during term time you may reduce the payment cost but increase the examination cost. A ten day holiday from school equals an approximate 5% drop in your child’s attendance. If you multiply that year by year it will have consequences!
Eight Business Studies students represented UVHS at the McBrides Make It Enterprise Competition. Although we didn’t win our heat, McBrides have commented on how well our students presented themselves. The event took place at the Netherwood Hotel. Our team was given a “Dragons Den” challenge to design a new cleaning product. They then had
to present this product to the “Dragons”. The year 10 students that at‐ tended this event were a credit to the school.
Their commitment and enthusiasm was second to none and Mr Smith felt it was a real privilege to accompany them to this event. Well done to all the team for their innovative ideas and organisational abilities to get everything ready for the drag‐ ons den style judges and then to present their ideas, supported by sound reasoning and financial understanding. This was a enjoyable day out and the students gained a great deal from the experience.
Dale Street School Production In June this year our very own A Level fashion students were involved in helping Dale Street School with the costumes for their final production before the school closed at the end of term. The themes of the productions were High School Musical for Year 1 and 2 and The Lion King for reception. The Year 12 students worked as a production line to create cheerleader skirts and pompoms, basket ball shorts and printed ‘Wild Cats’ t‐shirts. Following this they individually printed and hand painted the Lion King costumes to represent the animals in the film. The pupils at Dale Street did a fantastic job on stage, they really did the costumes justice.
Parking in the Neighbourhood Mr Fay has received complaints that visitors to UVHS are parking inappropriately in the neighbourhood of the school. Some of our neighbours are elderly and find it distressing. He would be grateful if parents and visitors could help the school in its Good Neighbour Policy.
Year 9 Options for Key Stage 4
German Trips Abound!
This is an important year in the school career of all students. It is the first time that they can be involved in selecting aspects of up to 40% of their curriculum time. So how do they go about deciding their ‘option’ choices? They will get guidance through tutorial sessions this term and next. In January the ‘Options Process’ begins in earnest. This will include Options Assemblies taken by various Subject Leaders and Mr Griffiths, Deputy Headteacher, will talk the students through the various aspects of the process. We will hold an Options Evening for parents on Tuesday 12th January. This will be followed by issuing Year 9 Reports and Options Application Forms on Friday 15th January. Year 9 Parents Evening will provide an opportunity to discuss individual progress and issues on Thursday 21st January. The deadline for the return of Options Application forms is Friday 29th January. How can you help your son or daughter in making appropriate choices? At this stage it is usually best not to focus too strongly on particular subjects. It is helpful to discuss their likes and dislikes in a broader sense. For example do they like to be indoors or outside. Do they like reading or writing or do they prefer making and doing? Do they like to work on their own or as part of a team? Do they like to travel or to stay in one location? By discussing these sort of issues you can help your child to develop a view of their future without narrowing down their aspirations at this early stage in their life. Please remember that 60% of the KS4 curriculum is fixed and the whole of the KS4 curriculum is designed to maintain flexibility for the students’ future.
Forty Year 8 pupils travelled by coach to Windeck‐Rosbach youth hostel in July. The visit was aimed primarily at practising their language skills. Their first taste of this was using French on the ferry and then ordering their breakfast in German at the environ‐ mentally friendly service station near
Students in Year 8 Imagine that a Word is a Character Here are Alice and Eleanor’s brilliant efforts: Jealousy stepped furtively into the room. He held his stomach as it tightened at the sight of happy faces. He could not show that emotion, he could only show his true colour, green. Each hesitant step he took drew him closer to his ever growing fear. Jealousy slumped into his chair, glaring longingly at the smiling faces. His heart sank from the envy and sadness that he couldn’t share. Splinters were spread across the tips of his fingers. These were from gripping on the edges of chairs, desks and benches. Another few were added to the collection as he fidgeted around. Eventually, Jealousy sank down in his chair and realised he could hide himself, and not have to face happiness. By Alice 8.6 The squeak of the dry castor wheels of the trolley bed announce the arrival of the next new patient into the ward. Fatigue groans, and holds up a thin almost transparent hand, in an attempt to block out the bright lights that line the ceiling. His arm throbs from the ugly cannular embedded in his hand. Fatigue heaves for breath, the air he manages to inhale soon returns to its natural wheeze which echoes off the harsh flat walls of the ward. He hears to curtain sliding back on the thick metal pole and then being pulled back. Exhausted, Fatigue rolls over and forces open one eye. A nurse stands poised at the foot of the bed. The strong smell of chemicals waft into the cubical with her, completely overpowering Fatigue’s senses. When the nurse finally smiles, it lights up her face. Through his blurred vision Fatigue finds the traces of vague sympathy. Even then, he wonders why she bothers. He’s going to die anyway. By Eleanor 8.4
Aachen. They had a fantastic time using different methods of transport in Cologne (ferry, bus, train, underground, cable car) and racing up the Cathedral tower (over 500 steps). Their language skills were further tested whilst at the swimming pool, eating meals in the youth hostel and in the supermarket when buying their picnic lunches. A super trip with wonderfully enthusiastic students. Roll on next July. Twenty nine Year 11 students met up with their German pen pals at the Simon‐Salomon‐ Realschule‐Speicher in September. They had various language
tasks to complete together in school and around town. It was a German day to remember, which also included the consumption of large quantities of frankfurter sausages and homemade cakes. Three Year 13 pupils joined the group this year. They used their German to conduct interviews with the Headteacher about schooling systems and the manageress of the local tourist office about the tourist industry. The whole group also visited the roman town of Trier, Cascade leisure pool and was one of the first groups to have the Bitburger brewery experience.
Historical Reading The Year 13 History book reading com‐ petition was won by Sam (our Senior Head Boy!). Where better to read up on the Third Reich than in Germany itself! And what’s better than reading a History book in the hot summer sun?
School Uniform and Standards
Head Boys and Girls Lead the Way!
A very big thank you to the vast majority of parents who On Wednesday 23rd September, Mark continue to support our drive to improve the school uniform Borthwick and Amelia Elliott were crowned Head Boy and Girl of Years 7 to and personal presentation standards for our students. In general there has already been a tremendous improvement 11. Recent duties have included meeting over the last 18 months and the students as a group look much and assisting parents and students at our smarter. I know some of you have told me that you are recent Year 5/6 Open Evening and frustrated that you are adhering to the school rules on uniform assisting with a primary liaison visit by St Mary’s School. but a minority of parents are not always supporting the school. As Head Boy That is also a source of frustration for me also. and Girl, Mark Research has shown that outstanding schools have outstanding and Amelia will standards of uniform and personal presentation. I want UVHS be available to listen to students to get to be outstanding and an excellent school uniform shows a a wider opinion of the school and have strong collective ethos and identification with the school. I regular meetings with Mr Fay our already receive comments from the public on how much Acting Headteacher to discuss issues smarter the students look but I want to glow with appropriate and suggestions. pride when I see them in town and I am not quite there yet. Amelia enjoys music and is involved in One parent talked to me about the issue of individuality and the swing band, wind band, jazz combo, “hair”. The rule is that hair becomes extreme when it is not coloured sympathetically in harmony (wasn’t that a hairspray?) sax ensemble, woodwind ensemble and she even has time for with the child’s natural hair colour. I have to be the arbiter of orienteering! Mark enjoys creative writing club and badminton club. He has that or else I would have a different standard for every family. It is not really possible to cultivate individuality with a school been involved in running the student council and also assisted uniform and appearance policy as a uniform is all about with the philosophy club. He’s been to London to meet many politicians before the G20 summit. collective spirit from which the individual draws strength. Your children have lots of opportunities at school to When asked to describe each others qualities, Mark replied that demonstrate their individuality through the Arts, sports, clubs “Amelia is earnest, polite and level headed”. Amelia praised Mark and activities. Their individual achievements in all subjects saying “Mark knows everything!”. We wish both Amelia and around and outside school are recognised by the merit system Mark well in their new roles. This year our Senior Head Boy and Girl and the Headteacher’s WOWs. At the moment our major drive appears to be centred around for Sixth Form are Sam and Hazel . Their footwear. Even though all students in the 11‐16 school have duties include leading the Sixth Form been told about the correct school shoes and a uniform Council which debate a variety of related issues. They reminder was sent home to all parents of years 8‐11 last year we regularly meet still have lots of girls wearing inappropriate shoes. A small with Mr Fay and minority are wearing a version of, what was known as in my day, Mr Rastelli, Head a gym shoe. Many others are wearing “dolly shoes”. Both types of Sixth Form, and of shoe are unsafe for school and according to a recent medical play a part in opinion I read, the most appropriate form of shoe is the arranging events. conventional lace up school shoe. I would urge parents to make They will represent UVHS at the sure that their children have the appropriate footwear as soon Remembrance Sunday Parade in as is practical. November. Good luck Sam and Hazel! Some students have been kitted out with the new discretionary school coat. I think it looks great and I would urge parents to consider it.
Sponsor our NEWS SPLASH! Early Closure ‐ 25th November 2009
You will notice our News Splash! is in colour, but usually only School will close early at 1.50 pm on Wednesday 25th our newsletters get the colour treatment! November 2009 to prepare for the Sixth Form Open Evening. This news splash is in colour to celebrate the first one of the year, School transport have been informed of this and they will but we would love to have all our news splashes and newsletters in glorious colour. contact the appropriate bus operators for journey’s home. It would be great if someone or some organisation could offer to help us in this ambition. Sixth Form Open Evening If there anyone out there? Do you want to be inspired, motivated and encouraged? If so, students and parents are welcome to come along to our Sixth Careers Corner Form Open Evening on Wednesday 25th November 2009 from Year 10 are finishing making their work experience choices and 6.30 until 9.00 pm. We have over 30 different A Level subjects are applying for a work placement. We are busy ringing around on offer, providing high academic standards and study. A great to secure placements for the students and will be in a position to opportunity for you to discuss course options, meet staff an update you after half term. students, and experience our lively, friendly atmosphere. There Year 11 are signing up to attend talks by visiting speakers. We will be Head of Sixth Form presentations at 6.30 pm and 8.30 pm will be taking all year 11 to the careers convention at Forum 28 on the evening. We look forward to seeing you there. on the 10th November.
Connexions Advice
Smoke and Mirrors
Hello! My name is Laura Rose and I am your new Connexions Personal Adviser. Usually, I am based in Barrow’s Connexions centre on Dalton Road and visit other schools in the area. In UVHS, you can find me in Woodgarth 2 (Connexions room) all day every Tuesday (except the first Tuesday of each month, when I am only in p.m.), Wednesday p.m. and Friday a.m. I offer Year 9 to 11 pupils impartial, confidential, careers information and guidance and provide personal development support, when requested. I look forward to meeting pupils and their parents/guardians during the next academic year. At the Connexions centre you are welcome to contact me on: 01229 824052/615360 laura.rose@connexionscumbria.co.uk
Smoke free Northwest (a Government funded NHS association) youth member and UVHS sixth form student Angela Rotherham gave a speech recently in Preston to 5000 school children and local politicians to launch a new cam‐ paign called ‘smoke and mirrors’ based around the image of the to‐ bacco industry. Angela’s speech was televised and will appear as part of an ITV documentary about the tobacco industry at the end of October. Angela also went to Brussels in February to the European Parlia‐ ment where she gave a presentation and handed in a petition (signed by 2 million people across the Northwest) to the MEP’s on illicit tobacco smuggling and taxation. As a result the Europe‐ an Parliament are discussing drawing up potential legislation to tighten up the laws related to this issue. Angela has also been involved in the set up of the smoke and mirrors website www.seethroughtheillusion.co.uk
Defors Kitchen Garden The court yard in D block was open and unused, looking bleak and dismal on most days even when the sun was out. Students had recognised this and other areas and had highlighted these as potential areas to improve around school and had expressed a wish to do something to benefit school. Each student had designed a plan of this area and aspects of each design were chosen to formulate one overall plan. Permission had been sought and awarded so the students could start this project. UVHS restaurant, Defors, which is based in D Block was consulted on what they wanted and required, so that it complemented their curriculum so as to enhance student opportunities. A Cultivation area for real herbs and vegetables that the students in all years could widely use in their cooking was one key point mentioned. The students in both the ASDAN and VOCATIONAL studies groups set about redesigning and refurbishing this area with their own ideas and thoughts.
Mrs Lister, the Development Coordinator within the Technology Department, spoke about what would be useful and also the fact that one or two students would benefit from the garden being wheel chair friendly and if possible accessible so that they could work in it as well. Major areas such as Health and Safety were covered by Mr Smith the Coordinator for both groups including ensuring the area was safe to work in at all times. Mrs Birkett and Mrs Attard the support staff for both groups brought along invaluable knowledge and assistance and also provided some of the plants as a donation. The students set themselves a deadline and initiated stage dates so that they could monitor their progress with the help of the staff. The main stumbling block the students would face would be the financial aspect, but thanks to the Townlands Trust and the Princes Trust this project was never held back, due to monies being made available to assist in this endeavour by these two trusts ‐ thank you! We made it, and the opening and hand over ceremony began, “Changing rooms style” and was opened by Mrs Lister. An introduction and explanation was given to all invited guests about the project and then the cooking and eating began. Well done to all the students and staff involved in this worthy project ‐ it looks fabulous, as you can see from the photographs!
We Welcome Mrs Hayton : Coordinator of Girls Physical Education Since the beginning of September I have taken on the position of coordinator of girls PE and I have thoroughly enjoyed it here at Ulverston Victoria so far. So about me: I studied for my degree at Leeds Metropolitan University and went on to train as a teacher at Edge Hill University. I have spent the last couple of years teaching in Barrow at Thorncliffe School, where I gained the responsibility for Girls PE. I have recently got married, so I apologise if I do not answer to Mrs Hayton – but I am slowly getting used to my married name! I am really fortunate to have a career in which PE and sport are central, as it is a huge part of my life. I am extremely active, I coach a junior hockey team in my spare time and I still play hockey for Kendal Ladies. I firmly believe that PE and sport is vital in our students’ lives, as I see it as a powerful vehicle to influence pupils learning beyond their PE lessons, teaching them important life skills such as leadership, team work, independence and also thinking skills. I also believe that extra curricular activities are just as important as the PE lessons, which is why I am really keen on developing the extra curricular activities that are currently on offer here at Ulverston Victoria High School. So students keep an eye on the PE notice boards that are around school.
A Great Year So Far for UVHS Girl’s Teams Firstly Netball, our year 7 netball girls have been excellent in training and are looking forward to their league starting in the next couple of weeks. Our 8 girls played extremely well in the netball festival, demonstrating excellent teamwork and there were some fantastic performances when playing Chetwynde and Dowdales and they then went on to draw their final game 4‐4 against Furness Academy South, which was a superb game to watch. So well done girls and keep up the great effort when your league games start after half term. Secondly hockey, our year 7 team have made some great progress so far. They lost narrowly to St Bernards A 1‐0 and they then drew 0‐0 with St Bernards B. The girls have made great progress so far and I am sure that progress is set to continue. Well done to Lois, Olivia, Florrie, Hannah, Hannah, Shannon and Kathryn . The year 8 team have made a great start to the season, playing St Bernards and drawing with them 0‐0 and then playing Furness Academy South which with a fantastic team performance and they eventually beat them 1‐0. So a big well done to Lois, Rebecca, Georgia, Tia, Chelsea, Lucy, Kirsten, Jennifer, Becky, Derri and Lois (year 7). The year 9 girls have played 2 matches so far; they lost 2‐1 to St Bernards and then beat Furness Academy 1‐0. There were some excellent performances, a great team spirit and I am sure that the year 9 team will go from strength to strength. Well done to Jenny, Becky (Yr 8), Carys, Chloe, Hayley, Shona, Eve, Lois (Yr 8), Lucy (Yr 8), Abby, Alice and Lauren. Our under 16 team have also made a fantastic start to the season. They drew against Furness Academy North 0‐0 and then went on to beat Furness Academy South 1‐0, with a fantastic team performance. Well done to Leah, Victoria, Amy, Lauren, Emily, Emma, Lisa, Megan, Collette and Jenny. Good luck for the season girls! Our Under 13 girls played some really good football when they met Queen Elizabeth School in the first round of the County cup. They unfortunately lost, but they played extremely well – so well done to all of those girls involved. On Friday 9th October, 13 year 8 girls took part in rugby union tackle training at Furness Rugby Club. The girls had a great day and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Any girls who are interested in playing rugby, training is on a Friday after school 3.30 – 4.45 with Mark, the Women’s Rugby Development Officer for Cumbria. A squad of Sixth Form girls competed in the South Lakes U19 Netball tournament early in October, they played extremely well and finished a commendable fourth. Our girls have a busy term ahead of them with the netball and hockey leagues starting and over the next few weeks we will see a number of football fixtures taking place. So good luck girls, keep up your hard work and watch this space for results!
More PE News Rugby ‐ All year groups have been involved in local 13‐a‐side, 7‐a‐side festivals and Town Cups this half‐term, with varying degrees of success. Year 11 finished 3rd in the 13‐a‐side festival and will play Academy North in the semi‐final of the town cup before half‐term. Year 10 were unlucky to draw Dowdales in the town cup but put up a very strong display in defeat. They nearly gained revenge by narrowly losing, 6‐8, against the same team in the 7‐a‐side competition. Year 9 were unluckily knocked out if the Town Cup again by Dowdales, 22‐24, but gained revenge by lifting the 7‐a‐side trophy after defeating them in the final. Year 8 defeated Dowdales 28‐10 and now play Walney in the semi‐final of the town cup. Year 7 had a slow start at training but eventually started to turn up and played very well in finishing 3rd in the 7‐a‐side competition. They play Dowdales in the semi‐final of the Town Cup. Football – most local matches take place after Christmas as the Furness partnership is trying a new format to local inter‐school fixtures. However the Year 8 football team defeated QES Kirkby Lonsdale 6‐2 in the county cup. Congratulations go to Fraser (right) for becoming National Champion in the 200m Individual Medley and to Greg (left) who signed for St Helens Rugby League. And last but not least, well done to Laura, Natalie, Tommy, Jack and Jarek who have all been selected to represent Cumbria in Football.
Music and Marines During the last week of term, UVHS was honoured to once again host the band of Her Majesty’s Royal Marines (Scotland) for three days, culminating in a phenomenal concert on the last night of term. This is the fifth year in a row that senior music students at UVHS have had the unique opportunity to not only work in rehearsals and workshops with the Marines but also play alongside them in a formal concert ‐ indeed we remain the only school with which the Marines will carry out such work.
On the afternoon of Wednesday 17th July, 28 senior students ‘enjoyed’ a gruelling 3 hour intensive workshop with the 48‐strong Scotland Band in the Coronation Hall. Some of the pieces chosen were, in the words of the Director of Music, Captain John Ridley, ‘fiendishly difficult’: a problem compounded by the fact that all of our students had to sight‐read the music under the constant gaze of the Marines, having never seen it before. However, all of the students played exceptionally well, to the amazement of Captain Ridley, and demonstrated why UVHS has such a good reputation for Music. That evening we held a joint social event for students, parents and the Marines at the Coot in Urswick. Entertainment was provided by UVHS Swing Band and the Royal Marines’ Dance Band, each performing a 1 hour set of music to a packed and very appreciative audience. One of the comments from an officer was “the best school group I have ever heard, and believe me I’ve heard a lot!” The next day we geared up for a formal joint wind band concert at the Coro. After another 3 hour rehearsal involving senior players sitting in with the Marines we opened the doors to a full house of over 660 people: not only did we sell out the event over six weeks beforehand, but there was such an extensive waiting list for tickets that we could probably have sold out another night. UVHS Wind Band performed a spectacular set to open the concert, including the ever‐popular music for Star Wars, a piece composed and performed by our own Percussion Ensemble as well as some beautiful flute playing from Nicola who performed music from The Mission to the accompaniment of the band.
After the interval, the Marines Band entertained the audience with a wide variety of music, showing off their amazing versatility and skill with full band numbers as well as two solo items, one on xylophone and one on alto saxophone, performed by Tim Watson who is rated as one of the finest sax players in the country. There were also appearances from the world‐famous Corps of Drums performing amazingly complex drum statics. The finale of the concert came when our senior musicians joined the Marines on stage for the last 50 minutes of the concert to perform the pieces they had learnt in the master class. The performance was simply stunning, leading Captain Ridley to inform the audience that the UVHS Wind Band was undoubtedly the finest school group he had ever heard ‐ well done to all those students who have yet again pulled out all the stops on stage to produce some top class musical entertainment.
Dates for your diary : UVHS Christmas Festival ‐ Tuesday 15th December 2009 at Coronation Hall 7.30pm. UVHS Prize Giving ‐ Wednesday 16th December 2009 at Coronation Hall 7.00 for 7.30 pm (by invitation).