Rossett News Update - 13 September 2019

Further School Improvements

As we touched on last week, we have been particularly busy this summer with new-builds, renovations, the improvement of existing classrooms and general maintenance. This year we have built an extension to the Technology wing of the school and now boast two new Art rooms and a computer room for art technology as part of our provision. Food Technology has been relocated from the Junior Block into the Technology wing and we have upgraded the appliances and workstations to provide fantastic spaces for learning. This work, and the building of a block of new ‘hotel-style’ toilets, have been funded and completed in part as a result of our close work with North Yorkshire County Council in response to the increased number of secondary student places needed for Harrogate in the future.

Our bid for capital monies each year, focuses on the needs of our students first and I am delighted to let you know that we were once again successful in bidding for, and receiving, considerable funds that allowed us to address fire regulations, whilst improving the classrooms in English, Modern Foreign Languages, Business and Computer Science. Gone are the ‘goldfish-bowl’ glass panels, and the new walls and doors have done much to improve the 1970s’ main block, providing excellent learning spaces for all students

The Science classroom doors and corridor have been renovated with high-class graphics showing the periodic table and illustrating influential women in Science; the LRC (Learning Resource Centre), although only opened recently has been revisited with inspiring quotations from famous literary figures decorating the walls; and English have their very own six-foot Shakespeare to enliven their area.

I and the Governors would like to publicly acknowledge the sterling work of both our project manager Mr Lorusso, and the site team in completing all of these projects in time for our September opening.

UCI Travel Arrangements

As you are aware North Yorkshire, and specifically Harrogate town centre, is hosting the World Road Cycling Championships from Saturday 21^st September to Sunday 29^th September.  Rossett School will remain open during this period with the exception of an early finish on Friday 27th September at 2.15pm, as previously advised.

The Harrogate town centre circuit, will be closed most days, and other routes across North Yorkshire will be affected throughout the week.

For morning races signs have been posted advising motorists to expect the roads to be closed from 7:00am although the school has been advised the shutdown will occur sometime between 7:00am and closer to 8:00am. Closed roads will not be passable to private vehicles after 8:00am, although designated school buses will be allowed on the route in order to ensure students arrive at school on time. For afternoon races the key timings are  on the event website. Special arrangements have been put in place to ensure the school buses can get the students home from 3:10pm as usual, subject to some diversions (2:15pm on Friday).

For precise details of routes and timing please visit the UCI Website here https://worlds.yorkshire.com/. 

There is also a really helpful app available which can be downloaded from the App Store for free by searching 'Yorkshire 2019'.

If you drive your  child to school we advise that you check your home address with the routes of the races and the road signs, and plan your journey appropriately, allowing extra time for any disruption.

 

iPad Scheme for Year 7 students

iPads are an integral part of teaching and learning at Rossett School and we aim to develop independent learners who are responsible, resilient and reflective. Our iPad ‘One to One’ Donation Scheme allows Parent/Carers to spread the cost of owning an iPad so that learning can be enriched and extended both at school and at home.  For further information please refer to the email sent to all Year 7 parents or email ipad@rossettschool.co.uk.

Open Day and Open Evening for Parents

Rossett will be welcoming the parents of Year 5 and 6 pupils to listen to a presentation from the Headteacher about all that Rossett has to offer and our educational philosophy.  This will take place on Thursday 3 October (6.30pm-8.30pm).  Parents will have the opportunity to visit the Learning Resource Centre to speak to faculties about the curriculum as well as find out about admissions, transport and much more.

This is followed by our Open Day on Saturday 5 October (9.30am-12 noon) when parents and children are invited to meet our students and teachers and see the school in action.  A number of exciting activities take place throughout the morning.  There are other 'open' opportunities available to see the school at work.  Further details are available at each of these events.

Oxbridge Workshop

Year 13 students attended an Oxbridge Interview Workshop on Monday 10th September in the Learning Resource Centre. This workshop focused on the UCAS application process and helps students to develop their interview technique. It was led by staff and students from Brasenose College at Oxford University. We were also visited by two returning Rossett students, Katie Lofthouse and Rob Torrance, who are currently studying at Oxford University.

Rossett PE Clubs 

At Rossett we offer a variety of after-school sports clubs to suit all ages and abilities - please encourage your child to get involved - there really is something for everyone!  All clubs start at 3.15pm and the late bus can be booked at Student Reception.

2019/2020
	Team	Staff	Facility
Monday	Year 7/8 Netball Year 9/10/11/Sixth Form Hockey	APN/KFN HGR	Sports Hall/Courts 3G/MUGA
Tuesday	Girls’ Rugby (all years) Boys’ & Girls’ Tennis (all years)	External coach External coach	3G/Field Courts
Wednesday	Year 7/8/9/10 Girls’ Football Year 10 Football Year 7/8/9/10/11 Rugby Year 10/11/Sixth Form Netball	MSW/IRE MFE RSN/JCG/CWN/MBU   KFN/NMY	MUGA/3G 3G Fields Sports Hall/Courts
Thursday	Year 7/8 Hockey Year 9 Netball	HGR NMY	3G/MUGA Sports Hall/Courts
Friday	Year 7/8/9 Football	RSN/RBW/MFE	Fields/3G/MUGA

Follow us on Twitter

A reminder for our new Year 7 parents that we post news and updates on our Twitter account @Rossett and @RossettPE.  Follow us!

H Woodcock

Headteacher