Summer 2015 - Titus Salt School

Salt
Pinch
of
Salt School
The news magazine of Titus
VOL 14 Summer 2015
Focus on
our high
achievers
together resilient ambitious caring
Salt
Salt School
The news magazine of Titus
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Welcome to another packed edition of Pinch of Salt.
Once again our students continue to make
me proud and overwhelm me with their skills,
enthusiasm, drive and commitment – qualities that
make our school a special place. My thanks also
go to our staff who share in the school’s vision and
ensure our values are at the forefront of what we
do every day.
In the spring of 2014, I was approached by two
members of staff who wished to talk about the
development of the school’s vision and values,
which had clearly undergone change since my
appointment as Headteacher in September 2012. I
agreed that as a learning school it is important we
look carefully at ‘what we believe we stand for’,
Core values: Headteacher Ian Morrel with Joshuan Welch,
7.
Annalise Dobson, Putawan Palee and Shakira Najib, Year
Progress
report
and so we planned a school training day to focus
on exactly that.
Following a presentation by all members of the
senior leadership team, staff and members of the
Governing Body were engaged in discussions about
what they value. As a result, we felt the vision for
the school could be summed up as ‘We will be a
learning community that always puts students at the
heart of everything we do’. This is based on what
have become our four key values: together, resilient,
ambitious and caring.
This edition of Pinch of Salt (as with previous
editions) embodies each of our key values and shows
that students are at the heart of everything we do.
A*for attainment
Excellence in English
Year 11 student David Dobson is an exemplary student
who has gone out of his way to succeed in English.
He approaches each piece of work with focus and
commitment and has seen his grades improve as a
result. He has demonstrated that he is a skilled reader,
writer and orator, and he truly deserves great grades in
the summer.
Sasha Hill
Mastery of Mathematics
Jamie Dalby in Year 7 has an outstanding attitude
to his Mathematical studies, and is always the first
student to complete a task. He regularly does
extension material during lesson time and shows a
desire to deepen his knowledge. His recent work
on converting fractions, decimals and percentages
showed a thorough understanding of how numbers
behave and can be written in different forms.
Lynsey Jones
Ian Morrel, Headteacher
NEET
solution
Our school continu
es
to work closely wi
th
Prospects career
s service,
universities, colle
ges and
local employers to
ensure
every student wh
o leaves
at the end of their
studies
progresses into Fu
rther
Education or emplo
yment
with training. In ot
her
words, they are no
ta
young person wh
o is ‘Not in
Education, Emplo
yment or
Training’ (NEET).
We are proud that,
once again, every
Year
11 student has go
ne to
Sixth Form, college
or
work-based training
.
Charlotte Leadbeater is a model student who has an excellent attitude
towards her learning. She is a ray of sunshine when she enters the
classroom and tries exceedingly hard during every English lesson.
Through her hard work and dedication, Charlotte has progressed by nine
GCSE steps since starting in Year 7.
Maisie Bloor is a conscientious student, who never fails to bring a
positive and highly motivated attitude to Mathematics lessons. She
has worked consistently hard, taking every lesson seriously, and is
always happy to ask for help.
Joe Canter-Myers is making outstanding progress in Science and
has made 12 GCSE steps since he joined TSS. Joe has increased in
confidence and is often the only one able to answer more challenging
questions. Joe has chosen Triple Science as one of his options next
year, showing his enthusiasm and commitment to this subject.
Well done to these students, who typify many across our school
who are achieving.
Simon Hawkins
Georgina Vickery, Sara Anderson and Nicki Barrow
2
Star students: Maisie
Bloor, Year 10,
Charlotte Leadbeater,
Year 8, and Joe
Canter-Myers, Year 9.
3
Salt ducation
Pinch
of
Salt School
The news magazine of Titus
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Top ma achievement
Titus Salt School is a dynamic and inclusive school,
yet among all of this diversity there are some
common themes: staff and students work hard and
collaboratively to achieve at the highest level.
Emily said: “I entered the competition
t
as something fun to do! I honestly don’
ved
invol
get
t
don’
girls
more
know why
with Engineering or Science: it’s such
a fun way to make a really good living
and it’s the most important work going
on in the world right now!”
Deputy Headteacher Simon Hawkins
said: “Science, Technology, Engineering
and Maths (STEM) is strong at Titus
Salt School, and we are delighted and
proud of Emily’s achievements.”
Emily has also been shortlisted
from nearly 1,600 applicants for the
prestigious Arkwright Engineering
Scholarship. With some of the best
GCSE results and the highest rates of
Post-16 uptake in STEM subjects, it’s no
wonder that students are continually
making the headlines.
James Reid
Our Pinch of Salt magazine showcases some
typical examples of students excelling, making
strong progress and developing their skills,
qualities and talents.
Chemistry
camp
4
Year 11 student Emily Nar has
won Talent 2030, a national
engineering competition for girls,
thanks to her innovative design for a
pop-up isolation unit which could be
used in the fight against Ebola or
other airborne diseases.
The competition brief was to develop
a model to help tackle a 21st-century
issue, with entrants submitting designs
for their respective age categories.
Emily won £500 and a £500
contribution towards the school’s STEM
facilities. She also won the opportunity
to be mentored by a professional
engineer and a visit to the Rolls-Royce
factory in Derby. She will also have the
chance to showcase her invention at
The Big Bang, a national fair for young
scientists and engineers in Birmingham.
Four Year 10 GCSE Chemistry students
have beaten off stiff competition to
take part in a prestigious, three-day
Chemistry placement at selected Russell
Group universities.
The Salter’s Institute camp programme
will enable Olivia Ryan and Emily Brown
to join the University of Cambridge,
and Holly Buchan and Devon Rhodes
to attend the University of Manchester,
for intensive tuition in a university
Chemistry department.
The aim of the camps is to enable young
people to realise that Chemistry can
be fun, and to help motivate them into
developing a long-term interest in the
subject and its applications in modern life.
The Salter’s Institute is world-renowned
and as such, demand was high from
schools nationwide to attend. Well done to
our Year 10 chemists.
James Skidmore
Thomas flies high
Thomas Wilson left
TSS in 2009 with
A Levels in Maths,
Further Maths,
Chemistry and
Physics, and an AS
in History. He then
went on to do an
MSci Joint Honours
degree in Chemistry and
Physics at Durham University.
Thomas is now a graduate Engineer at
Rolls-Royce plc, and is currently working
as a Service Engineer supporting the Trent
900 engine, which powers the Airbus A380
jet airliner. Thomas explains: “My daily role
involves working with a team of people all
over the world and making engineering
decisions that have a direct impact on
the profit of the company as well as the
thousands of passengers who fly on these
aircraft every day.
“I had some fantastic teachers at TSS over
the years, and Years 12 and 13 were two of
the most enjoyable years of my life. If I could
give one piece of advice to current students,
it’s that extra-curricular activities build up
experiences, which help to make you stand
out when you look for a job.
“There’s more to building a successful
career than just exam results. I took
up rowing while I was at TSS, and the
experience and structure it gave me have
contributed to my success both at school
and in securing the job I am in now.”
Mariska Peers
5
Salt Enhanced skills in English
Pinch
of
Salt School
The news magazine of Titus
Iceland’s natural wonders
A novel approach to reading
s to
Book ‘shelfie’: Teachers dres
World Book Day is always a high point and this year was no exception, with a
whole week of events designed to engage students and staff in our reading
culture.
Our new school Literacy Leaders helped to present World Book Day
assemblies, with our Patron of Reading Emma Pass putting in a special
appearance. Emma went on to host (as the Empress Pass) a dystopian-world
event, ‘Poetopia’ for Year 7 students.
Three competitions were also launched during the week: match the teacher
to their book ‘shelfie’, our annual writing competition and an opportunity for
students to design a storyteller’s chair.
In the spirit of the theme for the week, ‘Reading Together, Reading Aloud’,
members of staff contributed excerpts from their favourite books, which were
uploaded to the LRC YouTube channel.
impress.
Chrissie Hunter
‘Wicked’ performance
The Shakespeare Schools Festival is the UK’s biggest
youth drama event, offering students the opportunity to
perform Shakespeare on their local professional stage.
Thirty Titus Salt School students from Years 8 to
11 rose to the challenge, researching the plot and
characters of Macbeth, interpreting and rehearsing
Shakespeare’s language, while promoting their
abridged version of the play. A sell-out audience was
in attendance at The Alhambra Theatre in November to
In support of their A Level English and GCSE Drama
studies, students visited the West Yorkshire Playhouse
to watch Arthur Miller’s timeless classic, The Crucible.
Prior to the performance, students took part in an
interactive session with the actors. This gave them
the opportunity to ask questions, discuss set design
and context with the director, and experiment with
directing a scene.
“The performance inspired me to include a scene in
my own practical Controlled Assessment,” said Arian
Bradley of Year 10. Students have also been invited to
see Miller’s A View from the Bridge to deepen their
understanding of his work.
Cheryl Gaukroger
Horror stories
You could have been forgiven for looking over your
shoulder as you walked around the English faculty this
term. What was that shadow? Who was that mysterious
hooded figure. Has anyone seen our teacher?
It could only mean one thing… Year 7 students have
been creating chilling horror stories, then, equipped
with flip-cams, gothic costumes and ghoulish props
they turned their tales of terror into fearsome films.
The results are not for the faint-hearted, but they
showcase brilliantly the imaginative storytelling of our
6
Cheryl Gaukroger
One-to-one support
Behind the scenes
Year 7s.
see ‘Something wicked this way comes’.
The students’ enjoyment and commitment to the
project was outstanding, with the festival co-ordinator
praising them for their professionalism, unique staging
ideas and excellent storytelling.
Richard Scott
We are determined that all our students reach their full potential, and being
a confident reader is top of that list.
Since September, Year 7 students who need support to improve their
reading skills have been reading one-to-one with a member of staff during
their literacy lessons. Among the volunteers is Headteacher Ian Morrel, who
said: “The students have really benefitted, with most already improving their
reading fluency. Thank you to all of the staff involved and well done to the
students who are working hard to improve their reading.”
Confident readers: Alistair Stewart with
student Liam Fawcett, Year 7.
Anwen Rooks
Going
underground:
Afrah Hussain.
A total of 43 GCSE and
A Level students went to Iceland
in October. Students studied the
country’s amazing natural wonders,
including The Great Geysir, which
spouts boiling hot water 20 metres
into the air every seven minutes.
They also looked at the place
where two of the Earth’s tectonic
plates meet at the mid-Atlantic
ridge, a black sand beach, several
waterfalls, a glacier, and walked
around the crater of a mini-volcano.
They also took a dip in the
famous Blue Lagoon, a vast,
naturally heated pool. For those
with any energy left, Mr Trusselle
indulged a hardy few with daily
7am, extra-curricular, sub-zero
temperature runs along the
seafront of Reykjavik!
Alistair McDonald
Learning
outdoors
Our new Outdoor Residential to Bewerley Park
was launched this year, with a great team of staff
taking students from Years 8 and 9 in just two
months.
The students had the opportunity to try a variety
of new activities, such as caving, rock climbing,
canoeing and gorge walking, allowing them to
grow in confidence and develop their teamwork
and leadership skills.
Fern Godfrey
Emotional journey
On a recent trip to Krakow in Poland, RE students from
Key Stages 4 and 5 also paid an emotional visit to the
former Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau. The
70th anniversary year of the camp’s liberation by Soviet
forces made the visit particularly poignant.
The students also toured the former Jewish
district of Kazimierz, which was featured in the film
Schindler’s List, the museum in Oskar Schindler’s
former factory, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Richard Roebuck
Portfolio of work
During December, the Art department
took Year 10 GSCE Art students to The
Hepworth Wakefield.
The students completed research and
drawings, which will form part of their GCSE
portfolio, based on Barbara Hepworth’s work.
In addition, they took part in a collagraphy
workshop with printmaker Laura Slater.
Jen Dewhirst
7
Salt sport
Pinch
of
Salt School
The news magazine of Titus
Bronze Award: Charlotte with Commonwealth gold medallist Zoe Smith.
An enthusiastic participant!
Charlotte Gilligan in Year 10 collected her Bronze Award in the Sport England Satellite
Club Participant of the Year ceremony, held at the House of Commons. Sport England’s
new initiative, Satellite Clubs, aims to get more young people active by 2017.
Charlotte was nominated for her hard work and determination in girls’ rugby at
Baildon RUFC. There were 150,000 Satellite Clubs taking part this year, and for
Charlotte to be awarded Bronze was an amazing achievement.
Mariska Peers
Marathon challenge
athon, in London,
Crookes are running their first mar
Teachers Rebecca Miller and Sally
friend who died
d
goo
a
of
ulitis UK, in memory
this April. Rebecca is running for Vasc
thy again. Both
heal
and
fit
g
bein
e
Aid, to celebrat
last year. Sally is running for Sports
te your support.
challenge ahead, and would apprecia
are excited and nervous about the
Their donation sites are:
0/
www.justgiving.com/Rebecca-Miller1
aildonsal
m/b
/tea
.com
iving
www.virginmoneyg
Mariska Peers
New pastures:
Dan in Andalucia.
Sports roundup
Handball’s big hitters
in 2012, James Russell
Following the London Olympics
became an immediate
set up a handball club, which
James Hallett in Year 10
hit with students. As a result,
now members of the
and Josh Capper in Year 9 are
We might see them
ws?
kno
Leeds Handball Club. Who
es.
at the Tokyo 2020 Gam
Howzat!
Matthew Swallow
Year 7 students Will Kelly and
Schools Cricket
rd
dfo
have been selected by Bra
Schools against
rd
dfo
Bra
nt
Association to represe
other cities in the north.
No 1 in the UK
after taking
Rhea Southcott is celebrating
mpionship
Cha
s
letic
Ath
gold at the England
s
UK’
the
ked
ran
now
is
in March. She
year-old also
13The
.
lete
tath
pen
’
girls
No 1 U15
U15 records
the
of
e
succeeded in smashing som
Johnsona
arin
Kat
and
ill
is-H
held by Jessica Enn
Thompson.
Best in the county
only excellent
The U16 netball squad are not
for our
dels
mo
role
players, they are also
.
ents
younger stud
success in the
This was highlighted by their
ent in December.
nam
English Schools Netball tour
West Yorkshire
the
to
ugh
The girls made it thro
ools from across the
round, where they played sch
eighth.
county to come a respectable
Flying the flag for Yorkshire
Year 10 student Dan Clarke-Coates discovered golf through his
grandparents and started playing at the tender age of eight. Now
14, he was entered into the qualification round for the Andalucia
Junior European Open in Spain by his home club, Otley.
Dan qualified with flying colours and was among the
largest ever entry for the Finals and Champions Week
last December. The course was tough, and Dan came
a respectable 50th out of 90 competitors. He remains
Yorkshire’s number two player in his age category.
Rugby trials
Year 9 students Oliver Murphy and Josh Brockhouse were nominated
by Baildon Rugby Club for the England Regional Development Player
Programme trials. These were held during February half-term to
identify county players who would like to attend a skills/games-play
development session, and who may be suitable to join England Rugby’s
Developing Player Programme.
The boys were joined by other promising U14s from across Yorkshire.
Oliver said: “It would be great to get through to the next stage but,
whatever the outcome, I really enjoyed the session and learnt loads.”
Nathaniel Kerray
Awaiting feedback: Josh Brockhouse and Oliver Murphy.
Titus Salt School, Higher Coach Road, Baildon BD17 5RH.
Tel: 01274 258969. Fax: 01274 258970.
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.titussaltschool.co.uk
Pinch of Salt is produced by Words&Pictures. Tel: 01943 854800
Mariska Peers