Worthing High School December 2011
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Message from the Head
Dear Parents, Carers, Students, Staff, Governors and Friends,
As we come to the end of another busy term, I write to thank you all for your support over the start of this academic year. For without your care and guidance our young people would not be the pleasure they are to educate every day. In fact, as I write, our Year 11 students are commencing their mock examinations in the Sports Hall and we wish them the best of luck during this stressful time. I am sure this will prove a very useful experience for both those who have revised conscientiously and, even more importantly, those who have not!
Charlie Higson Visit
Sir Robert Woodard Academy, Chatsmore Catholic High School, St Andrews CE Boys High School, Durrington High School, Shoreham Academy and Thomas A Beckett Middle School. After the talk everyone got a chance to purchase his new book and have it signed personally. The students really enjoyed the experience and can’t wait to start reading ‘The Fear’.
Worthing High School in conjunction with Waterstones were pleased to welcome author, actor, comedian and writer for television and radio ‘Charlie Higson’ to our school recently. Charlie came to talk to us about the new book in his terrifying Zombie series ‘The Fear’ and took us on a spooky journey through the history of horror. Mrs Phelan, Worthing High were joined Learning Resources Manager by Davisons CE Girls,
I would also like to thank the staff at the school who always give of their best to our students and ensure they have a meaningful learning experience. This applies whether they are directly in contact with the students in the classroom or in the ‘back office’ ensuring all those processes are in place to enable the learning to occur. Finally, I would like to say an enormous ‘thank you’ to my Leadership Team, without whom I could not possibly cope, and in particular my Deputy Head, Carolyn Dickinson, who has had to shoulder a huge amount this term. I am most appreciative.
I would like to close by wishing you all an extremely Merry Christmas!
Alison Beer Headteacher
2011 sponsored walk raises £ 12,000 for Chestnut Tree House!
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Zoolab bring in Big Frank As Year 8 completed a unit of work on adaptation in Science and geared up to the undertaking of a term long project
Big Frank with the Year 8s
Giant Snail
exploring an ecosystem of their choice in Geography, they were greeted with an array of animals and reptiles from all corners of the globe. As part of a cross curricular venture between Geography and Science, animal handlers from Zoo lab were invited in to hold hour long workshops with all of our Year 8 classes. The focus of each workshop was to give students an opportunity to meet, touch and learn about an array of reptile and animal species, found throughout the world’s ecosystems. In doing so, the students were introduced to where the animals and reptiles live and how they have adapted
Furless Rat
Bearded Dragon
to their surroundings. A wide range of animals and reptiles were brought into school, these included; rats, cockroaches, spiders, giant snails, lizards, frogs, scorpions and a 7ft Albino Boa Constrictor called Big Frank! It was clear that Year 8 managed to get a great deal out of the opportunity, which certainly included a huge amount of enjoyment. In making the day possible, both the Geography and Science departments are extremely grateful for the funding provided by the Worthing High School Association who through their generosity made such an opportunity affordable.
Mr Guyton
Tarantula
Worthing High’s new Peace Garden Worthing High is pleased to announce that the Peace Garden is now finished and ready to be used for activities. The garden has space for about 25 seated students.
Work started back in May 2011 with regular work carried out by the Garden Club, Aims Group and Barclays Bank staff. The photographs show just how much work everyone has put into getting it ready for use. In addition to the £1000 grant Barclays provided we were also
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given £500 by Nick Sherman’s widow which we have also used on the garden – a lovely reminder for us all to enjoy. before
A new webcam bird box has been installed which is linked to Mrs Bayford’s classroom and we also have a small floating solar water fountain to install.
Mr Guyton
Barclays Bank volunteers
H H H H H H Brighton Pavillion
As part of their GCSE coursework, our Year 10 and 11 History students were given the opportunity to visit one of England’s biggest seaside resorts, Brighton. Although many of the students had visited Brighton before, the focus of the visit was to study how Brighton developed from a fishing village into the thriving popular resort it is today.
detour past some of Brighton’s best graffiti. Finally, students were able to eat lunch in the Pavilion’s gardens before being given time to experience that most typical feature of English seaside resorts, the pier. A fantastic couple of days out thanks to staff, students and the British weather! Mr Tillott
In true British fashion, the sun shone on both days with the temperature reaching a scorching 30 degrees. Unfortunately, there was no time for sun-bathing or swimming however as the first stop was a guided tour of the Prince Regent’s Royal Pavilion. During the tours students were able to see the lavish fabrics, chandeliers and ornaments that were used to decorate this extravagant palace. A brisk walk up to the train station followed with a
Author Curtis Jobling Worthing High School were delighted to welcome children’s author Curtis Jobling to talk to their Year 8’s. Curtis has written many titles for children and has a background in animation that includes being the designer of the worldwide hit Bob the Builder. The students had a fantastic time at the event, Curtis commenced his presentation showing some of the animation he has worked on, much to the students delight, especially The Curious Cow who Curtis has created for Nickolodeon. He also sketched drawings of some of his characters such as Bob the Builder, The Curious Cow and Raa Raa The Lion amongst many more. He then went on to tell us about his new fantasy and horror series ‘Wereworld’. We were then able to purchase his books from The Book Nook and have them signed by Curtis. A great morning was had by all.
Mrs A Phelan LRC Manager
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H H H H H H
Geography Trip to Sorrento & Mount Vesuvius
What an experience!! In the early hours of Friday 21st October, forty students from Worthing High boarded a plane bound for Italy. Some were excited, others were nervous and some were downright fearful, as some took their seat for their first ever flight! Once airborne there were smiles etched on everyone’s face, after months of waiting we had taken off and were on our way to Italy for a Geographical tour of the Sorrento locality and Mount Vesuvius. Arriving in Sorrento at lunchtime, we made our first stop a visit to a traditional pizzeria for an authentic Italian pizza, before setting off upon a guided tour of Sorrento in an effort to get our bearings. It was a great start, we were all well fed and enjoying the autumn Mediterranean sun, as we looked out over the Bay of Naples to a view dominated by Mt Vesuvius.
Come the evening we checked into our hotel, before enjoying a three course authentic Italian meal. After dinner it wasn’t too long before we all began to long for some sleep, having been up for as many as 18 hours, there was no time for staying up late! Saturday came round quickly, as students were woken by Mr Guyton’s wake up call.
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We were soon down for a buffet breakfast and then on a coach as we journeyed to the historic ruins of Pompeii. The morning was
spent exploring the site, situated on the foothills of Vesuvius, the students wondered around in their small groups, most with the task of seeking out the remains of the victims of the 79AD eruption which obliterated the town. Come the afternoon, we climbed up to the crater of the volcano that was responsible for the destruction of Pompeii. It was a steep climb, scrambling up the loose ash and pumice rock which covers the volcanoes summit. Once at its peak, the group was led on a tour around and into its crater, ensuring clear views of the volcanoes surroundings, the City of Naples and along the Sorrento Peninsula.
Following the tour the group scaled back down the volcano, and headed back to our hotel for dinner. It had been a full and exciting day, finished off by a chance to spend a Saturday night wandering and shopping in the town of Sorrento. The penultimate day, began with a wake up call from Mr Guyton (AGAIN) and a prompt departure to Herculaneum, another Roman
town destroyed by Vesuvius, when it erupted in 79AD. Once more the students took themselves around the ruins, wandering in and out of the wonderfully persevered remains. Come the afternoon, it was time to head off to Solfatara, a volcanic crater with towering fumaroles and bubbling volcanic mud, which was quickly applied to the faces of many, in search of eternal youth (sorry Mr Kaczmarek, maybe it will work next year!).
During the first three days of our trip the weather had been fantastic, bright sunshine and a good amount of heat. However, come Monday the rain had caught up with us, which wasn’t to be problem as we took refuge in a Gelateria, which showed us the secret to making world famous Italian ice cream. Each lesson was about an hour, with both lessons culminating in the consumption of huge quantities of fresh Gelato. Thank you to all of the staff for working so hard in making the trip run so smoothly and to all of the students, who were exceptional, you were a pleasure to take away and I look forward to hopefully taking you on further trips in the future. Mr Guyton Head of Geography
A Night on the Tiles for Charity Students and staff from Worthing High School organised a brilliant fund raising event - “Night on the Tiles” at the Lime Café in the St Paul’s Arts Centre, Chapel Road, Worthing to raise money for a charity that the school has been working with during the year. Worthing based International Charity “Hope for Lugazi”- supports work in Uganda: The Charity not only provides funds for children in Uganda to attend school it also builds new school buildings! It has recently added new classrooms to Ray of Hope (Junior) and Hope Christian Academy (Senior) schools and needs funds to tile the floors and walls. Steve Jeffery, Learning Assistant Head Teacher said “We were lucky enough to receive sponsorship for the event from Worthing College, The Letting Shop and Fresh Egg which enabled us to book the beautiful Lime Café at St Paul’s in Chapel Road Worthing for the event.” Over 150 students, family and friends attended and helped raise a fantastic £685.00 for the charity. During the evening two live bands performed, Buckler’s Reel Folk Band, and The Village Band both professional bands from the Sussex area alongside Worthing High School’s Ricochet Dance Troupe. John Ray the Trustee of the charity said “I started Hope for Lugazi in January 2004 when I made a
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return visit to Lugazi and was asked by my host Edward Nsimbi if I could help with the challenges that he had in funding education for aids orphans and those with limited resources, who were attached to the local church where he was leader. I was so impressed with his enthusiasm and commitment that I returned to Worthing and set up “Hope for Lugazi” and have worked hard over the last 7 years to raise substantial sums for the project.
It was great working with Worthing High School and the money they raised will make a positive difference to the community in Lugazi.” For more information on the charity please visit their website http://www.hopeforlugazi.org.uk.
Meditation in Education
A research team from the Universities of Brighton and Sussex are organising a project to see whether meditation helps young people to relax. Worthing High School is very fortunate in being able to take part in the research this year. The research aims to study the effect of regular meditation on young people who experience high levels of anxiety. In this case it will be the practice of Transcendental Meditation. What is Transcendental Meditation? Transcendental Meditation is a simple technique which gives a unique quality of rest to mind
and body. It allows stress and tiredness to be released in a natural way, resulting in greater energy, clarity and enjoyment of life. It gives deep rest to mind and body, releases mental and physical stress, and allows you to use more of your potential.
9.00am and 2.00pm-2.15pm to meditate together.
How will it Work?
Although I had some doubts initially, I am now convinced of the benefits of regular meditation and am really excited about this project as our students are so keen to begin.
Two members of staff, Mrs Dodge and I, have now been trained in Transcendental Meditation, and a group of students will also receive training before the end of this term. We will meet every school day from then on between 8.45am-
At the end of the research period of six months, the researchers will return to find out how we all feel about the process and whether there have been significant benefits in well-being and learning.
Sarah Lamba
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Conservation and Community Day November 2011 Students at Worthing High School took the opportunity to experience active citizenship within the community when the school ran its Conservation and Community Programme for a third year. New partners this year included the County Council repairing footpath bridges in the South Downs National Park and helping to put Uppark and Petworth to bed for the winter season with the National Trust.
Students were engaged in conservation projects at local cemeteries; coppicing at Whitebeam Woods in Durrington; removing scrub at Cissbury Ring and Devil’s Dyke and clearing invasive species at the Sussex Wildlife Trust site at Burton Pond. At Uppark and Petworth students were involved with polishing brass and copper and helping to rake leaves in the grounds, a huge project!
Other students worked to support adults with learning difficulties at Ferring Country Centre. Another group entertained residents at Guild Care and Gainsborough Lodge with a variety of musical items. Five senior citizens from Offington Park Church came into the school for a meal, whilst Worthing Baptist church gave
It was the turn of Broadwater and Salvington (approx. 500 students), to get involved as volunteers on projects ranging from habitat management to supporting vital services like the Fire Brigade and charities like Link Romania and Ferring Country Centre.
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our youngsters the opportunity to solve problems and work with both older and younger people.
I would like to say a big thank you to all the partner organisations we worked with including those already mentioned and Friends of Broadwater Cemetery, Broadwater Church, Worthing Borough Council, Continental Landscapes, Wetlands and Wild Fowl Trust, Worthing Museum, Thomas a Beckett Middle School, Thomas a Beckett First School, Heene First School, St Mary’s RC First School,
Durrington First and Middle School, Adur Centre, Maybridge Centre, Sydney Walter Centre, Community House, Gainsborough Lodge and Cortis Avenue Wildlife Garden.
If you are aware of any voluntary group that might benefit from an input by a group of WHS students on the 8th March please let Paul Kaczmarek pkaczmarek@ worthinghigh.net know. Thanks. Paul Kaczmarek, Extended School Co-ordinator
H H H H H H Royal Botanical Gardens, Kew
A visit by year 8 to explore plant adaptations to differing climatic environments
Having arrived at Kew Gardens the groups were taken around the site by experts and introduced to two different ecosystems. The tropical rainforest found in an area of water surplus has plants that are able to grow in hot humid areas where leaves have adapted to shedding water and absorbing light. The second area of study was the tropical desert. Here the plants are adapted to surviving very dry conditions.
Whilst one set of students were being guided by botanists the others went on the tree top walk with their teachers. This is a marvellous experience because you get to see the trees from a new perspective. We were doubly lucky as the leaves were changing colour and the views from this walkway were truly magnificent. The group also visited the three main conservatories and enjoyed the roof top walkways.
The students were given a detailed and practical insight into how plants adapt to different environments and create different biomes. This has given all the students new knowledge to draw on when they finish off the biomes work by producing their own independent project on one ecosystem at the end of this term. We would like to thank all the families that supported this trip. Paul Kaczmarek, Geography Teacher
Susgauge Eco Committee On October 7th Worthing High Schools newly formed Eco Committee hosted the launch of Susgauge a new online tool kit established to help guide and support schools and businesses in improving their sustainability. Approached over the summer, Worthing High School is delighted to have been asked to pilot the programme and become a flagship school. In the coming weeks, the school looks forward to completing fully its initial sustainable review and undertaking new measures with
the help of the Susgauge team which will help to improve the sustainability of the school. The launch of the Susgauge was a really exciting event, well attended by a wide variety of VIP’s including Tim Loughton Member of Parliament for East Worthing & Shoreham and Minister for
Children & Families who officially launched the Susgauge website.
Mr Guyton
Eco Committee
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Movember 2011- Prostate Cancer Awareness Seventeen staff members of Worthing High participated in a worldwide charity event called Movember. We were required to grow a moustache making most of us look ridiculous in the aim to raise vital funds and awareness for men’s health, specifically prostate cancer and other cancers that affect men. Mr Stringer nominated himself as Movember Team Captain and gradually persuaded the other sixteen members of staff to join up to Movember 2011. Teachers took advantage by using their positions as a platform to raise awareness of Prostate Cancer. Mr Lutwyche, Mr Rhodie and Mr Talbot had great fun likening staff to well known lookalike characters and a comical poster was created to help spread the word and to explain why there were so many members of staff looking ridiculous. Form Tutors addressed the sensitive issue in Morning Family Group Time and Students
donated to vote for their favourite Teacher Character from the poster. Awareness was also raised in PSVE lessons, where students created their own poster to help bring attention to Movember. With collections from staff and students, along with the money raised through the Movember and Facebook website the Worthing High School Team are just short of our target total of £1,000 with Mr Lutwyche and Mr Stringer raising well over £100 each!
Although participating staff complained constantly of not looking their best (all far too vain) and about the sheer irritation of it all, the spirit of the event and general buzz created around the whole school was fantastic. Teachers who took part were: Mr Rhodie, Mr Lutwyche, Mr Loversidge, Mr Stringer, Mr Williams, Mr Peacock, Mr Gunner, Mr Beeston, Mr Maddocks, Mr Collins, Mr Millington, Mr Morris, Mr Read, Mr Guyton, Mr Talbot Mr Fenlon and Mr Gill, with Mr Talbot taking the students’ vote and winning the Mr Movember 2011 title!
To donate, click here and for the Movember uk website and search for the Worthing High Team.
J Peacock
Students Celebrate Success! Over 300 Year 11 leavers and their family and friends attended the 2011 Graduation Celebration on Thursday 17th November. Students who formally left the school in July returned for a fantastic awards night, which enabled family, friends and staff to celebrate their achievements. Over 30 special Awards, which had been sponsored by local companies, were presented to those students who had made outstanding progress in a subject area. After the awards ceremony students and their guests joined staff and governors for a buffet reception. Steve Lyons, Assistant Head Teacher said “the evening
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gave us the opportunity to celebrate the achievement of the whole year group. Their GCSE results this summer were excellent and staff and Governors are very proud of the commitment the students showed throughout their time at Worthing High School, which was reflected in their great results.” Mr and Mrs Howard, proud parents of one of the graduates said “ The young people all looked so nice and happy; the speech by Mr Jones was superb. The reception was so unexpected and I know it gave my son and his friends the opportunity to catch up, thank you very much.“ The school is very grateful
and would like to thank all the following companies who sponsored the prizes: TLS Property Professionals, Hays Recruitment, Worthing College, Total Building Materials Limited, HSBC, Northbrook College, NSURE, Bennett Griffin LLP Solicitors & Notaries, Propeller Design and Print, South Coast Golf, Carpenter Box LLP, 5 Rings Telecom and Governors. K Hayler
H H H H H H Teddies for Tragedies Comforting children, one bear at a time when tragedy strikes somewhere in the world, the first members of society to suffer are the children. Teddies for Tragedies works to alleviate some of the stress that prevails when these catastrophes occur. The simple gift of a hand-knitted teddy bear sends these children the message that someone in the world cares for them and that they are loved. A huge thank you to the group of staff and
children who have suffered such losses. Here are just a few!
Sarah Lamba
Year 9 Options 2012 Sims Learning
Fire, Fire!
Year 9 students Jordan Ashton and Harvey Wilkinson were both
Eco Committee
students who have met regularly this term to make as many of these lovely bears as possible. Some parents and grandparents have also very kindly knitted up some gorgeous teddies. We will be taking all the teddies to Teddies for Tragedies during the Christmas holidays so they can be sent to
Harvey Wilkinson
selected to participate on the five day firebreak course working with students from other local schools and firefighters at Shoreham firestation. The boys performed magnificently during the Passout ceremony observed
Jordan Ashton
by teachers, parents, family members and senior firefighters. Jordan and Harvey represented themselves and Worthing High School superbly well and this was duly noted by lead firefighter Richard Poole. Mr Rhodie
Parents and carers of all Year 9 students are reminded that during the spring term, the process of selecting options for Key Stage 4 begins. Year 9 Students’ Subject Review Evening takes place on Thursday 12th January with the Options Information Evening taking place two weeks later on Thursday 26th January. All parents and carers of year 9 students are invited to the Options Information Evening in the Sports Hall between 6pm and 7.30pm for an initial presentation explaining the options process and KS4 qualifications on offer, followed by opportunities to speak with teachers of the option subjects. We do hope that you are able to attend and we look forward to seeing you then. Options?
Worthing High Success
Mr Loney
Gateway
(Parent/Carer online access to their child’s information held at school).
SIMS. Learning NET Gateway
All user names and passwords have now been issued to those parents/carers who have requested them. If any parent/ carer still wishes to have access please contact Mrs Hauck by e-mail dhauck@worthinghigh. net for information. There is now a link on the school’s website direct to the Gateway for your convenience. If anyone has any comments about the system we would like to hear them. Please e-mail Mrs Hauck. During 2012 individual student reports will become available to view on-line, details to follow next year. Finally can we remind you to change your password on a regular basis for security.
Mrs Hauck
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Broadwater Community Charity
Please could we have your email address in order to inform you of school news like snow days etc send to achieve@worthinghigh.w-sussex. sch.uk
The Community House
Over the past year Broadwater Community have been holding fundraising activities to raise money for their chosen local charity - The Community House. In October the two student leaders for Broadwater, Jamie Blunn and Rosie Balliston, went along with Mr Loversidge and paid The Community House a visit. They went loaded with gifts and handed them a lovely new solar powered water feature for the garden, some winter plants to brighten things up and some new headphones to go with the new computers in the IT room.
SPRING TERM 2012
Tuesday 3 January – Friday 30 March Half Term: 13 February – 17 February Good Friday: 6 April Easter Monday: 9 April Easter Break: 2-13 April (inclusive) INSET DAYS Monday, 20 February 2012 Tuesday, 8 May 2012
REMINDER Just to remind you of the telephone number to phone if your child is going to be absent from schoolWORTHING 229290
Cashless Catering
The Broadwater Community have and will continue to raise funds for the community house through a variety of activities including Christmas card sales, stalls at the Spring fair and sporting events.
Peer Mediator Project
A special course has been designed for Year 10 and 11 students who are interested in becoming Peer Mediators. The course has provided 8 hours of training up until the Christmas break. This training has involved conflict management and negotiation skills. Strategies include role-
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REMINDER – the school student restaurant BISTRO@BN14 doesn’t accept cash from students at break or lunchtimes. Any cash/cheques must be paid in before registration time or alternatively please use Wisepay to pay money directly into student lunch accounts on line. If you have any questions or issues logging into WISEPAY please contact Mrs Hayler on 01903 229275 or khayler@worthinghigh.net
playing, problem-based learning and active- learning. Once trained, the Peer Mediators work in pairs, invariably with pupils younger than themselves. Because of the age of the mediators and the people they are working with their role will include friendship and bullying issues, low self esteem and moderate behaviour incidents. There are particular issues that
are serious and therefore, the Peer Mediator will pass them onto an adult in the school.
Successful participants will not only be awarded a certificate of competence, but will have the opportunity to be involved in the continued running of this school initiative. This is an exciting opportunity and is being supported by over 40 students.
H H H H H H New Library System The LRC now has a fantastic new library system, ‘Eclipse’. Within this system students can search for books, see the week’s Top Ten resources, write and read reviews, listen to author talks and do much more. It is going to be a fantastic resource for research and leisure and I am sure everyone will enjoy using it and it will inspire students to read and more.
Southern Schools Book Awards
on an alternative Thursday at lunchtime in the LRC. Everyone is enjoying reading a variety of books and trying different genres and authors.
Students have just finished reading the nominated books for the above awards and are now voting for their favourite title. We will then all go along to Roedean in January to hear the results and meet the authors. All years are now taking part in book clubs and we meet
Have a great Christmas everyone and look forward to hearing about all your new books in January. Mrs Phelan Learning Resources Manager
Enterprising Student of the Month
An initiative launched last February has seen over 40 students receive the Enterprising Student of the Month Award. Each monthly award is sponsored by a local Business. Students must demonstrate a range of Enterprising skills such as leadership, teamwork, problem solving or using their initiative. To date, the school has received sponsorship from HSBC, 5 Rings Telecom, NSure, Freshegg.com, Clarity, Ian Hart Funeral Service, M K Windows, Ricardos and B.Sharp. We are very grateful to these local Businesses who have supported this excellent scheme. K R Price Director of Enterprise
Using Business to Apply Learning Over the last few years, Worthing High School has built up an enviable partnership with local Businesses as part of its Business and Enterprise status. Over 25 local Businesses are now involved with the school as part of the Trust Executive which meets at least once per term. One of the main features of the partnership is to provide learning opportunities for our students and apply what they learn in school in the work place.
Here are some of the many Initiatives which have taken place this term: • Year 10 Business Studies students visit to Equiniti • Year 9 Maths students doing Financial Literacy lessons with Barclays Bank • Year 11 Media students involvement with Essentially Worthing • Year 10 Art students involvement with local Architect
Students from a number of curriculum subjects have benefited either from employer visits to school or extended opportunities in the workplace.
More applied learning opportunities are planned for next term involving other curriculum subjects.
K R Price Director of Enterprise
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WHS Ski & Snowboard Trip to Schutdorf, Zell Am See, Austria
With just over a year to February 2013 it is time to start organising the ski trip. The 2013 trip is to one of the prettiest View of Zell by night and most varied ski resorts in Austria. In 2013 we will be staying at the Club Hotel Kitzsteinhorn. This large hotel offers a wide range of facilities for youth groups. It is just a short walk to the slopes with a good beginner area at the foot of the mountain. Students will quickly progress to the longer blue runs further up the hill accessing this area by telecabine. Skiing is very expensive and by starting the organisation early it is possible for families to plan the payment schedule over 9 months. The cost of the ski trip is £1,089 to ski and £1,139 to View of the frozen lake and ski runs snowboard, includes the basic trip, flights, transfers, full board, insurance, ski or board hire, 4 hours of ski lessons and some evening entertainments. I will be making a presentation about the trip to students during the first week of next term and letters will be emailed home. Letters will also be available from me for those who do not have email links with the school. Places are not allocated on a first come basis for this hazardous pursuit. I will consult with community leaders before confirming whether or not a place can be given to a student. To gain a place please return the application form with the first deposit by 25th January. To ensure we have a coach transfer from School to Gatwick we need 30 students on the trip. The maximum number of places is 40. A great link http://www.zellamsee-kaprun.com/skimap/index.html#/zellamsee-winter/ Organisers Paul Kaczmarek & Richard Doyle
Worthing Scope Group Entertain On Tuesday 29th November the Yr10 GCSE Drama students were visited by a group of performers from the Worthing Scope group. They presented us with a lovely performance of their version of the story A Squash and A Squeeze. The story featured many roles that the performers took on, along with masks that they had made and a set that they had created. The performance included audience participation and the Year 10s took on their part with great gusto shouting the signature line “A Squash
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and a Squeeze!” Then the group taught us a wonderful song with sign language which we sang all together. After that we played some Drama games and mingled as a group. The students were very keen to maintain the link with Worthing Scope and wanted to show them some of the pieces that they are currently working on at another period. The whole performance was a great experience and we are looking forward to
working with the group again. Miss Roberts and the Yr10 GCSE Drama group
H H H H H H Positive Postcards
In response to a student questionnaire, the Positive Postcards Rewards System has now changed. Everyone will now receive a £5 gift voucher for every 5 postcards that they collect. Each staff member is still allowed to send out 20 per half-term, meaning it is a real achievement if you receive one. So far this year, the top Postcard achievers are:
Mary Costick (STZ), with a fantastic seven postcards; and Rebecca Sim (TGI) and Lucy Vu (TAN) with a very impressive six postcards each. Students who have already achieved five Positive Postcards this year are: Milo Liau (TGI), Sophie Offord (HHS), Kobi Westwood (BGS) and Rachel Williams (HNI). A massive congratulation to everyone who has already done so well this academic year!
Chanctonbury Challenge for Chestnut Tree House Worthing High School has completed one of its most successful charity fundraisers after 900 students walked 12 miles up and over the South Downs to raise money for a local children’s hospice. The walk took place on a beautiful, warm autumn day and the fastest walkers completed the challenging route in just over four hours. Taking in Cissbury and Chanctonbury Rings, the terrain was not easy but everyone completed the walk even though many students gained painful blisters by the end of the day! Chestnut Tree House, near Arundel, will receive a donation of £12,000 from the school. This fantastic sum of money was raised through sponsorship collected by students and staff. The funds are vital as there are currently more families in Sussex needing the hospice’s care facilities than it is able to accommodate. Headteacher, Alison Beer said, “We are always delighted to support this worthwhile cause. I believe that contributing to the local community is an essential part of the work of a school. And once again, our students have proven themselves invaluable.” Accepting the cheque on behalf of Chestnut Tree House, Denise Thornton said, “This is an extraordinary amount for school children to raise and we are honoured by the commitment shown by Worthing High to help us each year. We rely on donations like this to provide our very special “home-from-home” care for sick children.” One of the youngest student walkers, Lucy Moyle in year 8, said “I haven’t ever walked that far in one go before. It was really hard but I kept thinking about some of the poorly children at the hospice which made me keep going.” Mrs Sabin
Enterprise Passport As part of their Enterprise learning, all students in Years 8 and 9 have been given an Enterprise Passport to record the Key Enterprise Skills they have used in a variety of subject areas. The main purpose of the Enterprise Passport is to provide
students with the opportunity to demonstrate vital skills for employability and adult life. The ‘Passport’ will act as a permanent record of the Enterprise Skills they have shown and at the different levels reached over time.
In order to support student independence, it is the student’s responsibility to write statements which are confirmed by their teacher. K R Price Director of Enterprise
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H H H H H H
Our Year 8 boys’, Football Cup Winners! The Worthing High School Year 8 boys’ football Team won the ‘Worthing Schools District League Cup’ in November against St Andrews - St Andrews 1-2 Worthing High School. Our team’s journey to the final could not have had a worse start, with their first fixture of the season away to Durrington ending in an 8 – 2 defeat! But there was no looking back from then on as wins against Shoreham Academy, Sion,
playgrounds. The coaching staff, Paul Read and Jamie Peacock, who have been compared to Clough and Taylor, had been promoting the event to parents, staff and students so were expecting good support at the fantastic Woodside Road ground just down the road from the school. So it was much to everyone’s disappointment that Woodside switched the match venue with only hours to spare
Rydon and Steyning left Worthing High top of the League and through to the semi-finals. Worthing High had drawn Littlehampton away in the semi, their toughest game to date, and were without one of their star players, Nick Oxley. The boys played very well, a real end to end game with Littlehampton having two goals ruled offside. Eventually Worthing High battled through to win 1 – 3, a closer game than the score line suggests! The elated boys and coaching staff had done it; they were through to the biggest game of their lives, the final at Woodside Road against rivals St Andrew’s who had won against Durrington in their semi. The big day had arrived and a great buzz of nerves and excitement could be felt around the school corridors and
and chose to hold the match at St Andrews School, giving them the home advantage. Not to be disheartened, the Worthing High Boys were more than ready for this the biggest game of their lives! No sooner had the game started, than Rio Imbimbo whipped a ball in that flashed across the face of the goal, only for Nick Oxley to smash the ball home within the first couple of minutes! A very close and fair game, Worthing High’s midfielders James Hugget, Jack Kearny and Zach Sutherland running their absolute socks off. Worthing took advantage of the roll on, roll off substitutions to give their lads a breather, but the back four, Ollie and Tom Rowley, Kyle Cotton and captain Pat Webber were unchanged throughout the match and proved to be a solid force to break until five minutes from time
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when the ref blew for a penalty to St Andrews. They confidently converted to bring the game level. The game, now poised on a knife’s edge, ebbed and flowed with both teams coming close. Ben Bingham, Worthing’s keeper, saved his team more than a couple of times but it was Worthing’s first goal assistant who clenched the winner as Jacob Hammond slipped a beautiful ball through for Rio Imbimbo to chip the oncoming Keeper. The players and supporters urged the ball over the goal line.
As the ball bobbled, it seemed to take an age to go in, but in it went to the delight of Worthing! Just as the referee blew to restart, he was blowing again for full time. Worthing High had won the game in the last minute and all the players deserved to be called Champions! Paul Read, Worthing High’s manager said, “after our defeat in the first match I didn’t think we would end up winning the League, but our boys have showed great character, they all attended every training session and took on all the advice that myself and Mr Peacock have shared with them. Both of us, the school and parents are all extremely proud of the team, their spirit and the progress that they have made.” J Peacock
achieve@worthinghigh.w-sussex.sch.uk
Tel: 01903 237864