Parents Newsletter October 2014

October 2014
A Message from the Principal Coming up
Dear Parents
It has been an incredibly busy but ultimately very rewarding, half term in
the school. New Year 7 and Year 10 students have settled in very
quickly and are already showing progress in their studies. I have been
particularly impressed with our Year 7 students, many of whom acted as
guides on our Open Evening after just 3 weeks in the school.
Fri 17 – Fri 24 Oct Half Term
Wed 29 Oct
- Year 10
Blood Brothers Trip,
De Montfort Hall
7/8 Nov
- Year 7
London Museum Trip
Our Open Evening was very successful this year. Having decided to
Thurs 13 Nov - Year 13
offer activities and to base the evening around the centenary of World
Social Science Trip to
War One, Year 6 pupils and their parents gave us very positive feedback
Galleries of Justice
about the evening, with many parents saying that it had reinforced their
decision to choose Wreake Valley for their child.
Fri 14 Nov - Year 10/13
Harry Potter Studio Trip
You should by now have received our Ofsted report for the inspection
Wed 26 Nov
- Year 9
carried out at the beginning of the month. It goes without saying that I
Galleries
of
Justice
Trip
am absolutely delighted that the school has been graded ‘good’ in all
categories. In particular, I am pleased that the inspectors recognised
Thurs 27 Nov
- Year 9
the team effort that has gone into Wreake Valley. For a secondary
Parents’ Evening
school to have improved 2 categories since its last inspection, 18
months ago is remarkable (possibly unique) and it reflects what staff and Thurs 11 Dec - Year 12
students have put in to the school. I also want to thank parents for their
Parents’ Evening
continued support, ‘Parent View’, Ofsted’s on-line questionnaire for
Thurs 18 Dec-High School
parents, was incredibly positive and helped us to achieve our ‘good’
Carole Service
judgement.
I hope you have an enjoyable Half Term break
Yours sincerely
Tony Pinnock
Principal
Fri 19 Dec - High School
Cinema Trip
Some trips/events to look
forward to next year
15/18 Feb
- Year 12
Science Trip to Geneva
26/27 March
- Year 12
Psychology London Trip
17/18 April
8 July
- Year 8
Boulogne Trip
- Year 12
Thorpe Park Trip
The Wreake Way
Our vision is for all at Wreake Valley to be confident
lifelong learners, growing in independence equipped
to overcome life’s challenges and prepared to
contribute to our global community.
The Wreake Way is to provide a broad and balanced
curriculum where high quality teaching and learning is
delivered in a vibrant, supportive learning
environment.
The Wreake Way is to create a culture of
achievement that celebrates and nurtures the unique
talents and abilities of everyone.
The Wreake Way is to embrace diversity and foster
mutual trust and respect to ensure fairness and equal
opportunities for all.
The Wreake Way is to promote health and well-being
in an environment where everyone feels valued, safe
and cared for.
The Wreake Way is to instil pride and passion, to
seize opportunities and to be brave with the decisions
that we take.
These dates are published to help
you with your future holiday
planning
Term dates - Year 2014 – 2015
Autumn Term 2014
Mid Term break
Schools Close
- Fri 17-Fri 24 Oct
- Fri 19 Dec
Spring Term 2015
Schools Open
Mid Term Break
Schools Close
- Mon 5 Jan
- Mon 16-Fri 20 Feb
- Fri 27 March
Summer Term 2015
Schools Open
- Mon 13 April
May Day Bank Holiday - Mon 4 May
Mid Term break
- Mon 25 - Fri 29 May
Schools Close
- Fri 10 July
Family holidays during
Term time
Please help us to maintain
high standards of
attendance by not
organising any holidays in
term time. If this is
unavoidable please
complete an ‘exceptional
circumstances form’
available from the main
reception. Upper School
students will have
examinations throughout
the year and have a full
schedule of examinations in
the summer term. Holiday
absences will not be
authorised during term time
and may lead to a fixed
penalty notice.
It’s a simple equation
Attendance = Achievement
Cheap term-time holidays cost more than you may
think. If attendance drops to below 91% your son/
daughter is in a group of students where
LESS THAN HALF gain 5 GCSE A* – C
Work Experience with a
Difference
July 7, 2014
Alex Ross and
Lewis Batchelor
from Wreake
Valley Academy,
Syston joined
archaeologists from
the University of
Leicester for a week
of excavation work
at Burrough Hill Iron
Age hill fort.
Alex Ross and Lewis Batchelor
No making tea or filing papers for Lewis and Alex on their
work experience. Instead it was digging prehistoric pits to
find remains of Iron Age life. These seventeen year olds
learnt to trowel and mattock, shovel and sieve to discover
ancient fragments of pottery and a 2000 year old finger ring.
For five days the students experienced the difficulties of
working outside in all weathers from a heatwave to torrential
rain. Along with undergraduate students they learnt drawing
and photographic techniques and became a vital part of the
project team.
The excavations are the final season of work at this
Leicestershire hill fort led by John Thomas and Dr Jeremy
Taylor of the University of Leicester assisted by staff from
the University of Leicester Archaeological Services.
Pedal Power
July 8, 2014
Sixth form students completed a 24 mile sponsored cycle
ride around Rutland Water on Sunday 6th July and were
blessed with perfect weather.
Thomas Stanford, Alex Ross and Eliott Hickinbottom set a
grueling pace and were the first to finish. Sophie Holmes,
Dharshna Lad, Rebecca Grisenthwaite, Hannah Gunn,
Emily Rowlands and Lydia Stokes were not far behind,
having enjoyed the views on the way around.
However, Ben Lacey, Mollie Thatcher and Kirsten Halford
showed great resilience after following an alternative, but
equally challenging route.
Well done to Nick Jones, Alex Thatcher, Georgia Stokes
and Alex Peters, who showed their support by also
completing the ride. This was one of several events
planned by the students who are raising money to fund their
February trip to Ghana where they will be helping to build a
village orphanage.
Wreake’s County
Championship Runner
June 18, 2014
Ethan O’Shea kept up his winning form when he attended
the track and field championships earlier this year at Saffron
Lane, Leicester and claimed the 1500metre Schools County
Championship title by winning his final.
In addition Ethan was also informed that he had broken the
school record in his age category from 2012 with his race
time of 4.47.8. Huge congratulations to Ethan on winning
the Championship title and having such a successful year.
We hope that Ethan will inspire other young runners to
compete.
Ethan O’Shea takes the
Championship title
Leicestershire
and Rutland
Schools Cross
Country
13 September 2014
The first Leicestershire and
Joshua Walker
Rutland Schools Cross Country
of the season took place with 4 Wreake Valley Students
taking part. 3 students made the step up into the Year 8/9
age group and took the increase in distance in their stride,
producing some good results, with Joe Disney 28th, John
Tailby 32nd and Hannah Disney 51st. Joshua Walker
(Year 11) taking part in his 5th School Cross Country
season ran a strong race to come home in 22nd.
The next race took
place at Rutland
Water on the 27th
September. Any
students interested
in taking part in
future Cross
Country races
can speak to
Mr Grace
in the PE office.
Mr Grace.
John Tailby, Hannah Disney and Joe
Disney
Leicestershire and Rutland
Schools Cross Country
27 September 2014
Morgan Enoux
Ethan O’Shea
Finn Miskin-Young
Hannah Disney
John Tailby
Joe Disney
Josh Walker
The second Cross Country of the season took place at
Rutland Water on the 27th September. Again all students
that took part ran very well, with some brilliant
performances from Morgan Enoux and Ethan O’Shea who
were 3rd and 4th in their race despite running against
students in the year above and Finn Miskin-Young who
was 6th in the Senior race. Other performances included
Hannah Disney 50th, John Tailby 34th, Joe Disney 43rd
and Josh Walker 28th. The next race is November 15th at
Lutterworth.
Mr Grace
Wreake Runner
wins Gold
September 13, 2014
Following his success in local events,
Ethan O’Shea was selected to
represent Leicestershire and Rutland
in the inter counties competition in
Hull on 13th September. He took
part in the 800m race and as a stand
in he also did the 200m, which by his
own admission is not his event, but
he gave it a go anyway. Ethan went
on to win gold in both events.
Well done Ethan – again!
The following weekend, Saturday 20th saw Ethan’s competing for
the first time in the road relays on behalf of his club Charnwood
Athletic. Along with 2 other team mates he claimed gold. Ethan
also claimed an individual gold medal for running the fastest leg
of the day in his age category by completing his 1st leg in 13.26
minutes. He ran a very fast race securing his team mates a good
minute lead to keep the form to be first back to the winners
ribbon.
Following this he competed at National Road Relays, and
continuing his successful streak Ethan and his team mates won
Gold again. Ethan ran a great race winning the first leg and
gaining a good lead; both his team mates worked hard and
stayed the distance coming home in first place. They are now
national champions. A mention also goes to Morgan Enoux who
also ran the first leg returning in 4th overall, (not far behind Ethan)
helping to guide his team (Wreake Runners) into 4th place
overall.
On October 5th Ethan is back at Birmingham to do it all again but
this time it is the National Road relays.
Mr Grace.
Exam Results
Continued Success at Wreake Valley Academy
2014 GCSE Results
Following on from record A level results, students at Wreake Valley celebrated
continued success at GCSE level with the number of students achieving 5 A*- C
grades including English and Maths maintaining high standards at 58%.
Several subjects recorded outstanding results including Food Technology, English
Literature, Economics and Maths. Students studying Religious Education achieved a
fantastic 46% of grades at A* and A. Many students achieved 8 or more passes at A*
and A including: –
Finn Miskin-Young Jamie Capell
Helen Newbold
Megan Wright
Sarina Dhanoya Siobhan Farrell
Joshua Johnson
Daaniya Irshad
Angelina Patel
Claudia Bruce
Kirsty Bryans,
Nushka Chaudhuri.
Special mention should be made of Megan Wright and Daaniya Irshad who both
achieved 10 A* grades.
Principal Tony Pinnock said “These are fantastic results and reflect the hard work that
has been put in by both students and staff. They demonstrate real progress for the
school particularly with Science and Maths.”
A summary of the results is shown below: Students entered in 2014
361
2014 % passed with five or more A* to C grades including English and Maths
58%
2014 % passed 5+ A* to C grades in any subject.
69%
2013 % (last year) passed with five or more A* to C grades including English and Maths 59%
2013 % passed with 5+ A* to C grades in any subject
76%
2014 A Levels Results
This year students celebraed another year of excellent Advanced Level results. The
number of students achieving the top grades increased slightly and overall there was a
100% pass rate. Results in Sociology, Physics, Media, Economics and History were
particularly high.
A large number of students achieved three or more passes at the highest grades,
including
Jessie Stuart
Jenny Scawin
Sophie Hall
Mishali Paragjee
Jaimin Tailor
Megan Stretton
Adam Ward
Of particular note is Jessie Stuart who achieved three A* grades and one A grades.
She will be studying Maths at Leeds University. Sophie Hall, who achieved three grade
A’s, is going to train at the British Horse Racing school at Newmarket. Jaimin Tailor
who achieved three A’s, will be going to study Economics at the University of
Nottingham.
Head of Sixth Form, Su Peters said “These are a well-deserved set of results reflecting
the hard work of students. We are delighted with the high numbers of students going
on to study at the University of their choice.”
“These results are a true reflection of the school and its students. Staff and students
have worked hard with the support of parents to achieve this record set of results.”
A summary of the results is shown below: Number of Students entered for GCE Advanced level exams:
101
Percentage (of Exam Entries) passed (A* – E) grades:
100%
Percentage (of Exam Entries) with (A* – C) grades:
74%
Percentage (of Exam Entries) with A* and A grades:
11%
Percentage (of Exam Entries) with A* and B grades:
41%
Celebration Evening
4th September 2014
We were delighted to welcome so many students, parents, staff and
governors to our annual Celebration Evening at the King Power
Stadium earlier in September. It is an occasion which we all
eagerly anticipate, as the stories behind the successes always offer
a reminder of the dedication and talent displayed by the students at
Wreake Valley. It is also a fantastic opportunity to say good luck to
our Year 13 leavers as they head off to university.
The award winners, who are listed below, should all be
congratulated and I am sure they would like me to pass on their
thanks to Syston Town Council and the family of Oliver Taylor for
their continued support.
Congratulations to you all!
Department Awards
These awards have been made by each department to recognise
the best student in their area last year.
Year 11
Celine Matthews
Daaniya Irshad
Jade Caddies
Sarina Dhanoya
Annika Bhavsar
Lakhan Ajmeria
- Business/ICT
- Design
- English/Media
- Humanities
- Languages
- Maths
Dexter Davidson
Ben Hoillis
Joe Keightley
Dylan Lad
Anushka Chaudhuri
- PVA
- PE
- PE
- Science
- Social Sciences
Year 13
Jade Bray
Harry Bibby
James Starbuck
Sophie Hall
Daniel Cooper
- Business/ICT
- Design
- English/Media
- Humanities
- Maths
Alisia Heslop-Hellawell - PVA
Jack Wood
- PE
Jessie Stuart
- Science
Jenny Scawin
- Social Sciences
Victor and Victrix Ludorum Trophies
Victor and Victrix Ludorum are Latin for “the winner of the games”.
These are trophies presented to the most successful team, club or
competitor each year.
Victor Ludorum Trophy went to Alex Smithard
Victrix Ludorum Trophy went to Jade Caddies
James Plumb Attendance Award
Callum Rafferty – Outstanding attendance
Oliver Taylor Award
The award is made each year to the outstanding Year 11 student.
The following students were nominated this year: Tomasz Bednarczyki
Lucy Betts
Aaron Hill
Celine Matthews
Lewis Springthorpe- Dean
Megan Wright
The Oliver Taylor Award went to Celine Matthews
Celine
with her
award
and Tony
Pinnock
Once again Congratulations to you all!
Open Evening Spectacular
September 26, 2014
Poppies made by Year 5 and 6
pupils for the Field of
Remembrance
We opened our doors to
primary school pupils in
Years 5 and 6 and their
families to come along to our
World War I themed Open
Evening. The school was
buzzing with excitement as
pupils took part in an array of
activities including: creating
poppies for our Field of
Remembrance, making and
eating Trench cake and
Austerity biscuits, learning
how to play a bugle call and
having a go at Street Games
that were popular during
World War I.
A
young
visitor
tries a
gas
mask
on for
size.
Wreake student shortlisted for
National Film Competition
Wreake student Louis Gale attended the
WJEC national film awards ceremony at
London’s British Film Institute on the
Southbank in September. Louis’ short
film Flicker was the only film nominated in
two categories against students much
older than himself. In all 700 films
entered the competition. We are
immensely proud of his achievement.
The film is available to view on Click view
Online. http://webplayer.clickview.co.uk/?p=68ETw
Students attend “Into Film”
National Film Festival
Wreake AS and A2 Media and Film students are attending the Into Film
Festival in November. Screenings are taking place nationally followed by
discussion, director Q&A’s and presentations by the British Board of film
classification. Our students are going to see the fascinating film The
Double. A new Richard Ayoade (better known as Moss in Channel 4’s The
IT Crowd) film adaptation of Fyodor Dostoyevsky’s novella of the same
name. This dark British comedy stars the versatile Jesse Eisenberg about
a man driven to madness as his life is usurped by his doppelganger.
We are also going to see the extraordinary Lukas Moodyson film We are
the Best! A Swedish drama set in the early 1980s post punk era about the
creation of a teen punk band in Stockholm.
Darren Lissaman, Head of Media and Film
Macmillan Cancer Support
On Friday 26th September the Sixth Form students arranged a
coffee morning and cake auction in aid of Macmillan
Cancer Support.
At break time students and staff bought and ate cakes
and hot chocolate.
At lunchtime students held an auction.
They sold cakes they had baked to the highest bidder.
Great fun was had by all and we raised a total of £525.
Mitchell Gordon and Ryan Rickman – the auctioneers
WisePay and
Cashless Catering
Now that the students have been back at school for a few weeks they
will hopefully have had the chance to get back into the swing of using
our cashless catering system and using their cards to make purchases
at the till points.
The Year 7 and 10 students, who were issued with temporary cards on
the induction days, will soon be receiving their permanent cards, which
along with their name and the name of the school will also have their
photographs on.
These initial cards will be made for them free of charge. If cards get
broken or lost, then replacements will be made at a cost of £3.00 which
will be automatically deducted from their accounts.
WisePay is a safe and secure method of topping up students catering
accounts and paying for trips, meaning that students no longer having to
bring large amounts of money into the school.
By logging onto your child’s WisePay account you can also view the last
25 purchases they have made and the last 5 payments made on-line.
This updates each evening at 5.00 pm and the most up to date
information will be available after this time.
If you are experiencing any difficulties using WisePay or would like a
reminder of your username and password to begin using this facility then
please email me at [email protected] . We have also now
prepared a step by step user guide for WisePay which is available on
the school website. Alternatively you can request a paper copy by
emailing me.
Lorraine Reid, Finance Manager