Rossett News Update - 21 January 2022

At the end of two really busy weeks of external and internal examinations, I would like to mention the resilience of our Sixth Form and Year 11 students.  Firstly, congratulations to our EPQ students in Year 13 who received fantastic grades - 42% at A* and A - in their external examinations.  Secondly, I was really proud of our students who sat their external BTEC examinations this week; after a year of disrupted attendance and learning, they showed true spirit, worked hard and revised effectively for these important assessments. Well done!

In a week where school has been returning to the rhythms of learning and the preparations for the new academic year (2022/23) we have been working with Year 9 and Year 11 students in planning the next steps in their career - Options for Year 9 and Sixth Form Interviews and careers' planning for Year 11.

EPQ Results

We offer congratulations to our Year 13 students this week after securing a fantastic set of results in their Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).  An EPQ is an extended, independent research project and is valued at 50% of a full A level and is extremely beneficial to all our Sixth Form students but especially those going through the UCAS application process.  This year 84% of Rossett students achieved A*-C, and 42% achieved  an A* or A.  Thank you to Mr Bentley and his teaching team for guiding the students through this qualification which allows them to practise key skills for their future.

Personal Development 

This half term, all students are studying Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) in their Personal Development lessons. You may remember the consultation process took place last year (2020/21), inviting students, parents, carers, staff, and governors to provide feedback on our policy and the proposed curriculum.  the teaching of RSE is statutory in all primary and secondary schools across the country.  The curriculum is an essential aspect of helping our students make informed decisions about their personal safety and ​relationships later in life.  For more information, please see our RSE Policy and curriculum map here 

Year 9 Options Interviews 

Students in Year 9 have begun their one-to-one GCSE options' guidance interviews.  Each student in the year group attends a one-to-one appointment with a member of the Senior Leadership Team where they discuss the options they are considering choosing for GCSE.  Mr Saunders said "It has been fantastic meeting with students in Year 9 this week and hearing about their career ambitions.  I have been really impressed with their maturity and the way they are ​going about making this important decision".  For more information on the options' process please click here.  

 

Sixth Form Interviews

Next week sees the start of our Year 11 Sixth Form Interviews where each of our Year 11 students will attend a five minute interview to discuss  subject choices and further progression with a member of staff.  Students will be informed of the time, location and the name of the staff member hosting the interview by their Form Tutor.  If any student has yet to register for the Sixth Form for September 2022, further details can be viewed here and Mr Keyworth, Mr Durbin and the Sixth Form team are only too happy to speak to parents and students.  Please email either rkeyworth@rossettschool.co.uk or rdurbin@rossettschool.co.uk or phiggins@rossettschool.co.uk.

 

Year 13 Internal Exams 

Year 13 students and a small number of Year 12 students have their first internal assessment period of the year next week.  They were informed of the exams in November and so have been working hard to prepare themselves. The Sixth Form Team and their teachers have been providing support and guidance along the way and Mr Saunders (Deputy Headteacher - Quality of Education) delivered an assembly to the students before Christmas outlining the process and JCQ rules, including the regulations around malpractice and the possibility of the results being used to inform Teacher Assessed Grades if the summer exams are cancelled.   We wish them the best of luck next week.

Face Coverings in Classrooms: Update

In light of the announcement by the Government and the guidance from the DfE earlier this week, students are no longer required to wear face-coverings in classrooms.  At present  students and staff are wearing face-coverings in communal and busy areas. We will update you further when guidance is updated next week.

Learning Resource Centre News

You didn’t think about yesterday, and tomorrow may not happen, it was only today that you had to cope with and you got through it as best you could.

Iby Knill, survivor of the Holocaust

I hope the following is helpful to you as a parent ahead of  the international event of Holocaust Memorial Day, on Thursday 27^th January. This year’s theme is ONE DAY when we think about the Holocaust and subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur with the very real hope that we will never see genocide again.

There is a wealth of material here  including activities for families.

Book trust recommend the following books here to help students understand and feel informed about the holocaust:

I would particularly recommend:

When Hitler Stole Pink Rabbit by Judith Kerr

The Silver Sword by Ian Serrailer

Once by Morris Gleitzman

The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas by John Boyne

For older students, Maus by Art Spiegelman

We are hoping to welcome award winning author Tom Palmer into school at some point in the near future.

The following link has a wealth of material to use

https://tompalmer.co.uk/holocaust-memorial-day-2022/

Naturally Anne Frank’s diaries remain a powerful and emotive way into helping young people understand the holocaust.

Some excellent resources can be found at https://www.annefrank.org/en/ including a virtual tour of the secret annexe where she hid -  ideal to begin discussion with your child about the day itself.

For older pupils http://www.auschwitz.org/en/education/ has some excellent material.

With the theme of ONE DAY in mind can you please make your child aware that in the LRC on the 27^th January there will be a reflective written activity available for any student who wishes to take part.

This will be available at break, lunchtime and after school.

With my continued thanks for your support.

Mr Asker

Learning Resource Centre Administrator

 

Continuation of Lateral Flow Testing for students and staff

We ask that our parents and students  continue to support our safer school initiative by testing on Sunday and Wednesday evenings,   reporting the results – whether positive, negative or void – to NHS Test and Trace via the self-report option at https://www.gov.uk/report-covid19-result  and  also inform the school at: https://rossett.school/studentcovidreport.

Please note that this asymptomatic testing programme does not currently replace current guidance for those who develop the three Covid-19 symptoms, even if mild, which is to arrange a PCR test as soon as possible.  

As you are aware,  under the new guidance, anyone in England who receives a positive lateral flow device (LFD) test result should report their result on gov.uk and must self-isolate immediately, but will not need to take a follow-up PCR test.

Students no longer need to self -isolate if someone in their household has symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19 if any of the following apply:

• students are under 18 years 6 months old
• students are fully vaccinated
• students are taking part or have taken part in a Covid-19 vaccine trial
• students are not able to be vaccinated for medical reasons

In such cases, even if they do not have symptoms, students should still:

• get a PCR test
• follow advice on how to avoid catching and spreading Covid-19
• consider limiting contact with people who are at higher risk from Covid-19

If you have any questions please email Mr Royles droyles@rossettschool.co.uk.

School Age Immunisation Service: Covid Vaccinations

All parents/carers received a letter this week advising that the ‘School Age Immunisation Service’ have been in touch to indicate they will visit Rossett School on Wednesday 16^th February to administer vaccinations to students in Year 7-13, where requested.  Please find their letter  here, which gives further details and includes the link to the online consent form that must be completed by 11:59pm on Sunday 6^th February should you wish your child to receive a vaccination in school. If you have any questions please contact the School Age Immunisation Team using their contact details stated in the letter.  Please note: second Covid vaccinations can only be given 12 weeks after the date of a child's first Covid immunisation.

Congratulations to...

• Our Year 11 Basketball Team who won against St Aidan's School in the Harrogate and Area Tournament.  This was an exceptional performance which progresses the Rossett team to the North Yorkshire finals;
• Dillon Bhoghal who has been placed on the England Hockey player pathway and will commence training at the Durham Performance Centre;
• Jess Mepham who has been selected for trials for the Great Britain Judo squad;
• Our Year 7 netball team who had an impressive win over St John Fisher.  Well done to Ava Phillips, Hollie Major, Evie Rowston and Milly Hudson for their nominations (from the opposing team) as 'players of the match'.

What's happening this term...

Monday 24 January

• Year 12 and Year 13 Mock Examinations commence;
• Year 11 Sixth Form Interviews take place with Year 11 students.

Friday 18 February

• School closes for Half Term break.

H Woodcock

Headteacher