Rossett News Update - 1 February 2019

Quality in Careers Standard

We are delighted to have been awarded a national accreditation which recognises the high standard of our careers provision.  The Quality in Careers Standard  is awarded to schools and education providers who have demonstrated the importance they place on careers and how they support students to make decisions about their life after school.  This provision is measured against a set of eight national benchmarks called The Eight Gatsby Benchmarks of Good Career Guidance.

The assessor from Prospects, the body that awards the Standard, said careers provision at Rossett was of a high level and that Rossett offered a comprehensive programme of careers education, information, advice and guidance (CEIAG) across all years.  We are delighted to have received the Silver Standard and hope to be considered for the Gold Standard at our next assessment.

Safer Internet Day 

On Tuesday 5th February Rossett School will be participating in Safer Internet Day and the theme this year is 'Together for a better Internet' with the aim of creating a better internet for everyone, especially younger users.  Assemblies will be held throughout the week and students will take part in a variety of activities involving internet safety.  For further information about how to keep your child safe on the internet please click here.

Marrick Priory Trip

Year 8 and Year 9 students enjoyed a very successful two day trip to Marrick Priory last week taking part in a variety of activities which promoted resilience and resourcefulness.  The students took part in climbing, abseiling, archery, a high ropes course, the 'leap of faith', a night walk and an orienteering session,  and all had a wonderful time. Thanks to Mrs Jackson and Mr Wilson who accompanied the trip and reported back on the excellent behaviour and engagement of all students on the trip.

Oxford School's Debating Competition

On Tuesday evening a group of Rossett  students attended the regional round of the Oxford School’s Debating Competition at  St Peter’s School in York.  Each student took part in two debates; the first motion was ‘This house believes private schools should be banned,' and the second motion was, ‘This house believes iconic roles should be recast and played by BME actors.'  They were challenging motions and the students were allowed only ten minutes to prepare their arguments with no internet access. Our students received great feedback on their debates and really held their own against the competition which consisted of mainly independent schools.  

British Biology Olympiad

On Wednesday 6th February, a group of Sixth Form students will take part in the British Biology Olympiad (BBO).  The BBO challenges and stimulates students with an interest in Biology to expand and extend their talents, enabling students to demonstrate their knowledge and to be suitably rewarded with publicly recognised certificates and medals. 

The BBO is open to students in post-16 education studying at school or college. The competition consists of two, 45-minute multiple choice papers to be taken online under staff supervised exam conditions. Top scoring students will be offered the opportunity to attend an award ceremony in London.   Good luck to all of our Rossett students taking part.

Lepra - fighting disease, poverty and prejudice

Each year Rossett holds events to support Lepra, a UK registered international charity. This charity works with individuals and communities affected by some of the world's oldest and most neglected diseases, including leprosy.  Representatives of the charity have attended a Year 7 assembly to give students information about the charity and the work they do.  Students were given information about the effects of the disease leprosy and were challenged to raise as much as possible by taking part in a variety of activities which culminated in a Zumba workout on Wednesday.  We hope to beat last year's fundraising total of over £2,000 for this worthy, and sometimes forgotten,  cause.

LGBTQ+

Today - 1st February 2019 - is the start of LGBT History Month.  In taking part in this event we have - each morning this week - had our Sixth Form LGBTQ+ Ambassadors delivering assemblies to all of our students in Years 7-11,  raising awareness and understanding of LGBTQ+.  At Rossett we are committed to providing 'equality for all' and work hard to ensure that our diverse and inclusive school community has a chance to hear from all students, in celebration of their identity.

Sixth Form Interviews

Our Year 11 'Next Steps'  interviews have been taking place this week and students have had the opportunity to discuss their A Level  and Level 3 subject choices with senior staff.  Formal offer letters to students will be issued after the interview process has been completed.

Little Shop of Horrors - 14th & 15th February 2019

Rehearsals continue apace for our production of 'Little Shop of Horrors'.   Tickets for the production are available from the Finance Office priced £8, or £5 for concessions.   For technical reasons, the performances of Little Shop of Horrors will run on Thursday and Friday 14th and 15th February 2019 only.  Anyone who has already bought tickets for Wednesday 13th February will be able to transfer to another evening – please email tharrison@rossettschool who will organise new tickets. 

Request for props:  If you have artificial flowers (old or new) that you would be happy to let us use in the production we would be delighted to receive them.  We are happy to return them to you at the end of the run.  Please leave any donations or 'lent' props at reception marked 'LSOH' or ask your child to bring them to the Music Office. Thank you advance for your support.

Co-curricular Club of the Week

This week our Co-curricular Club of the Week is Year 7 and 8 Netball Club which takes place every Monday after school with Mrs Temple (Year 7) and Miss Mooney (Year 8). The girls have been working exceptionally hard over the last couple of weeks focusing on tactics and game-play, ahead of their league games, and the Harrogate and District netball tournaments in March. So far, the girls have competed in a range of fixtures including matches against Ripon Grammar School, King James School and St. John Fisher’s. The netball club welcomes any students regardless of previous experience or ability- the more the merrier! If you are interested please see Mrs Temple/Miss Mooney in PE to find out more or see the dates and times on the Co-curricular calendar displayed around the school and available here.  

Congratulations to...

• The Year 8 Girls' Hockey Team who won 3-1 against St Aidan's on a very chilly evening at Rossett.

What's happening next week...

Tuesday 5th February

• Safer Internet Day.

Wednesday 6th February

• British Biology Olympiad;
• Year 8 Options deadline - please return your Options' Choices Forms to Year 8 Form Tutors by Wednesday 6th February.

Thursday 7th February

• UKMT Intermediate Maths Challenge, Sports' Hall.

Friday 8th February

• Staff Training Day - no students in school on this day.

For all other forthcoming events click here for the School Calendar 

Ms H Woodcock

Headteacher