News Hindley High School

News
Hindley High School
September 2010
GCSE EXAMINATION RESULTS 2010
74% Hindley High School headline league table figures so far show that we have outperformed all our targets with an outstanding 74% 5 A* ‐ C grades and with 48% 5A* – C including English and Maths. Mrs Lees, Headteacher, said: ‘These results are the best ever we have achieved. We are delighted that our initial analysis of this year’s results indicates that yet again we will be in the top 5% Contextual Value Added (CVA) schools in the country. We are proud of our Year 11 pupils who worked so hard to achieve their dreams. We are also proud and grateful to all our staff who have gone the extra mile to advantage our pupils and to help them on their career pathways.’ OFSTED INSPECTION
As our last Ofsted inspection was in October 2006, we were expecting another one sometime in 2009‐10. However, we have just had some excellent news from Ofsted. Hindley High School is one of the first schools to be chosen for an Ofsted health check instead of a full inspection. This means that Ofsted has checked all the information on our school and feels that there is no need for an inspection as our performance is so fantastic. This health check or interim assessment as it is called says that because of our high performance we will not be inspected before September 2011. This is a very public recognition that we are providing the highest quality of education that the government wants from all its schools. RETIREMENT
Jean Wilson, cleaner at Hindley High School for the past 25 years, started her well earned retirement at the end of August. The Headteacher and Head Girl presented her with flowers to mark the occasion. Ofsted has looked at the school’s pupil performance, pupil attendance, the Ofsted subject inspections over the last 3 years and that there have been no issues of concern at all about the school. Our school’s contextual value added data continues to place us in the top 5% of schools nationally. MP VISIT
We were delighted to welcome Yvonne Fovargue MP to our school at the beginning of September. Yvonne is getting to know her constituency and has made a point of visiting our school especially after the loss of BSF. She has been very s y m p a t h e t i c about the way the BSF funding was taken away from Wigan. After meeting the four senior prefects, Sean Bailey, David Barron, Emma Davies and Rachel Craven, she was taken on a tour of the school to show her where BSF could have made a difference. Yvonne was highly complimentary about our outstanding GCSE examination results and went away with the view that we are an outstanding school. THE WANTED
We have been delighted to host a number of top bands performing at our school towards the end of the last academic year. First, Eliza Doolittle (now enjoying chart success), then an Irish Band called Liberty Kings and finally, The Wanted who performed 3 concerts at our school before going on to play at the Haigh Fest. These professional musicians worked with many of our pupils as well as giving valuable information in question and answer sessions to give insight into future career paths and assist in work‐related learning.
MORNY AWARDS CONCERTS
Last year’s ‘Morny Awards’ concerts were once again filled with talent. All pupils had the opportunity to perform in their year group competition in front of packed and enthusiastic crowds. The winners who went through to the final were: Y7: Emily Gormally, Abigail Bushell Y8: Millie Townsley and Tom Proctor Y9: Jordan Clark and Andrew Fallows, Ryan Walls, James Taylor Y10: Emma Davies,Terri Leach and David Barron Congratulations to the overall winner David Barron (acoustic guitar and vocal) pictured on the left and runner up Jordan Clark (MC). Well done to all the performers for inspiring us with their enormous talent. HUMANITIES—WHATS BEEN HAPPENING IN GEOGRAPHY
COOL CANVAS ART COMPETITION
Hindley High School pupils from Years 7, 8 & 9 took part in a competition to create artwork for Forrest Recruitment’s 2011 calendar. Pupils worked with Cool Canvas Artist Oliver Wotherspoon to create mixed media art works based on their future aspirations. There were a variety of responses from vets to mechanics and pilots. Just before the summer holidays, lots of events were taking place with the Humanities department and in Geography in particular: Pupils in Year 7 took part in a literacy focused week by reading the “Horrible Geography” series of books and making their own mini book as a review of their work. They also used an interactive book and can access this at http://
www.inanimatealice.com/ All 20 participants were awarded HMV gift vouchers and their artworks will appear in next year’s calendar which will be distributed to business partners across the region. Pupils in Year 8 focused on the World Cup as part of the unit of work on World Sport. Each pupil had the opportunity to win a football signed by their classmates if the team they chose (at random!) won the World Cup. Some of the work the pupils did included researching information about their chosen country and presenting this to classmates. Well done to all the participating pupils! Demented Fingers
By
Dylan Holland
Young Enterprise group ‘The Style’ have been busy this term, selling their handmade bracelets around school. They have managed to make a brilliant profit of £76.65 which they are going to donate to the children’s cancer charity CLIC Sargent. Pupils in Year 9 got creative whilst working on a project called “The Earth as Art”. Using the latest technology such as ipods + notebooks pupils chose satellite images of the earth and interpreted them with an artistic and geographical eye. Pupils displayed their work to their classmates and explained their thoughts and feelings about the images. GCSE Geography students worked on their controlled assessment. This involved a fieldtrip to Castleton in the Peak District National Park. On the day, pupils carried out a variety of data collection techniques in the village and spent part of the day underground in a cave. VEGETABLE GARDEN UPDATE
As you are aware from our previous newsletters, a group of pupils have been involved in growing fruit and vegetables, herbs and flowers. Pictured here are pupils Danielle Malley‐Smith, Eve Barton and Cameron Joyce digging up the first batch of potatoes. They then cooked them and made a warm potato salad with spring onion, peas and herbs from the garden. HOMEWORK TIMETABLE 2010/11 MON TUES WED THURS FRI 11 10 9C 9H 8C 8H 7C1 7C2 7C3 7H1 7H2 7H3 7H4 En Op Y Op P Op R Sc Fr Fr Ma Hum (a) Ma Hum En DT Fr DT Fr DT Fr RE (a) Sc RE (b) En DT Gy (b) RE (a) En DT Sc (a) Op T En Hum Op U Ma Ma Op V Op N Op W Op S Ma Op U Op V Op W Op Y En Ma Op T Op Q Sc Op S Tech Hum En Ma Op P Op Q En Ma Op R Op N Fr En Hum En DT Fr Sc DT Hum Ma En En Gy Sc Hy En Sc RE Sc En En Fr RE (b) Fr Hum En En Fr Fr Sc En Ma RE (a) Ma En Ma En Ma Sc Hy Hum Sc Sc Ma Sc Ma Hum DT Ma Sc Sc Fr En Hum Hum Hum Fr Hy Ma RE (b) Sc Fr Sc Fr RE Gy Ma Ma Gy Hy Hy Hy Ma Ma Fr RE (b) Ma Gy Sc Fr Gy Ma Sc En Fr DT En En DT Fr En Sc Ma Fr Sc RE (b) Gy (a) Ma RE (a) Gy (a) En Fr Ma Hy (b) RE (a) Sc Fr Hy (b) Sc (b) Gy (b) NOTES • In all years, ICT is set when appropriate on the days when lessons take place apart from in KS4 options. • In years 7 – 9, Art is set when appropriate, on the days when lessons take place. • In years 7 – 9, Drama is set when appropriate on the days when lessons take place • To achieve balance, and in a minority of cases, the homework for a particular night may be set on the previous day. FASHION & JEWELLERY PROJECT
In June, a group of Year 9 pupils from Rose Bridge High School and Hindley High School teamed up to take part in a multi‐cultural themed art project. Pupils worked together at both schools taking part in specialist workshop sessions. At Hindley, pupils worked with Miss Isherwood to create jewellery items, and they worked with Miss Carney at Rose Bridge to create fashion garments. Pupils were inspired by the glass and wire garments at The Walker Art Gallery, and the insects and sea creatures in the Liverpool World Museum. They were encouraged to observe and record their experiences in their specially prepared journals. Pupils attended after school workshop sessions to further develop their ideas to create rich journals that capture their thoughts and experiences. YEAR 10 Option N IT, Double Science Option P Art, History, Music, Double Science. Option Q Science, Food, History, Joinery, RE. Option R French, Spanish, IT, Music, Electronics, Art Option S Electronics, F r e n c h , Geography, RE, Art, GCSE PE 2010 – 2011 HOLIDAYS SCHOOL CLOSED SCHOOL OPEN HALF TERM Monday 25 October 2010 CHRISTMAS Wednesday 22 December 2010 STAFF INSET Wednesday 5 January 2011 Thursday 6 January 2011 HALF TERM Monday 21 February 2011 Monday 28 February 2011 EASTER Monday 11 April 2011 Wednesday 27 April 2011 STAFF INSET Tuesday 26 April 2011 Monday 1 November 2010 BANK HOLIDAY Monday 2 May 2011 HALF TERM Monday 6 June 2011 Monday 30 May 2011 SCHOOL CLOSES FOR SUMMER ON TUESDAY 19 JULY 2011 LIVERPOOL VISIT
Pupils across the school with a interest in visual art were invited to take part in an extra‐
curricular project that focused on the use of personal journals. OPTION BLOCK SUBJECTS YEAR 11 Option T Double Science, Joinery, Music, Food, Product Design Option U Double Science, Art Option V Science, Art, French Option W GCSE PE, Geography, History, Food, Electronics, French Option Y Drama, Geography, History, RE, Music, IT, Spanish. UNIFORM
A big thank you to parents and carers for supporting us in maintaining high standards for our pupils’ uniform. As this is such an important aspect of every day school life, we will continue to follow up any individual concerns, such as girls’ low‐slung inappropriate trousers, with parents and carers. We want to encourage smart habits in our pupils to help them in their future careers. ATTENDANCE
Here at Hindley High School, we consistently strive to improve our attendance in order for our pupils to succeed and reach their full potential. Last year, we achieved our highest ever attendance of 93.1% which was fantastic. Well done! School Uniform We are a fully uniformed school and uniform is compulsory GIRLS ‐ YEAR 7 – YEAR 10 Blazer Skirt Bottle green incorporating the school badge, available from Slaters Trousers Plain black traditional uniform style, not low slung trousers Blouse Plain white (with shirt collar suitable for tie) Pullover V – neck, bottle green, incorporating woven school badge, available from Slaters Tie Bottle green with a woven school badge, available from Slaters Socks White or black Tights Black Shoes Sensible style in black NOT TRAINERS, ‘PUMPS’ OR BOOTS Bottle green (traditional uniform style). Acceptable skirt length at Head’s discretion JEWELLERY The only jewellery acceptable to school is one pair of small, simple studs in pierced ears and a watch. For Health & Safety reasons, no jewellery should be worn to PE lessons. Any piercing should be done during the long school holiday so that pupils do not have to wear extra jewellery during term time. GIRLS ‐ YEAR 11 Sweatshirt Black V neck, incorporating the school badge, available from Slaters Skirt Black (traditional uniform style). Acceptable skirt length at Head’s discretion Blouse Plain white (with shirt collar suitable for tie) Trousers Plain black, traditional uniform style, not low slung trousers Tie Bottle green with a woven school badge. Prefects will be awarded a blue tie with woven badge Socks White or black Tights Plain black Shoes Sensible style in black NOT TRAINERS, ‘PUMPS’ OR BOOTS GIRLS ‐ P.E. KIT – ALL YEARS Tracksuit Black, incorporating the school badge, available from Slaters Shirt White, polo type T‐shirt Socks Black THE SCHOOL WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LOSS OF ITEMS OF JEWELLERY. TOP COATS Must be an outdoor coat which covers the blazer and is warm and water‐
repellent. Fleeces, denim and sports tops are not acceptable. Reflective strips are encouraged. HAIRSTYLES Extreme hairstyles are not allowed in school. Suitability of hairstyles will be at the Headteacher’s discretion. Shorts Black (for summer) Skirt Pleated back wrap‐over style in bottle green (optional) Green Sweatshirt with school badge (optional) available from Slaters MAKE‐UP Not to be worn by pupils in school. MOBILE PHONES Must not be brought into school. Pumps or Trainers Towel THE SCHOOL WILL NOT ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE LOSS OF MOBILE PHONES. BOYS ‐ YEAR 7 TO YEAR 10 Blazer Bottle green incorporating the school badge, available from Slaters Trousers Plain black Shirt Traditional white Pullover V‐ neck bottle green incorporating the woven school badge, available from Slaters Tie Bottle green with a woven school badge, available from Slaters Socks White/black Shoes Black school shoes NOT TRAINERS, ‘PUMPS’ OR BOOTS ON THE RARE OCCASION THAT STAFF MAY HAVE TO CONFISCATE PUPIL PROPERTY, WE MAY REQUEST THAT PARENTS COME INTO SCHOOL TO HAVE THE PROPERTY RETURNED TO THEM. BOYS ‐ YEAR 11 Sweatshirt Black V neck, incorporating the school badge, available from Slaters Trousers Shirt Plain black Traditional white Tie Bottle green with a woven school badge. Prefects will be awarded a blue tie with woven badge Socks Shoes White/black Black school shoes NOT TRAINERS, ‘PUMPS’ OR BOOTS BOYS ‐ P.E. KIT – ALL YEARS Tracksuit Black, incorporating the school badge, available from Slaters Shirt Green and gold rugby shirt Shorts Black Shirt White T‐shirt Socks Black Trainers and football boots (or an extra old pair of trainers) Spare underpants or swimming trunks Towel • Excellence • Relevance • Access SEPTEMBER 2010 NEWS A LIMITED NUMBER OF BICYCLES RACKS ARE AVAILABLE. AS EXTERNAL PROPERTY SECURITY IS NEVER GUARANTEED, WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT PUPILS FASTEN THEIR BICYCLES TO THE RACKS PROVIDED.