Rossett News Update - 22 February 2019
Japanese Exchange
Rossett students currently on the Japanese Exchange have experienced a myriad of new experiences this week. They began by introducing themselves to their exchange partners in Japanese and visited lessons at Ishigami High School. At our partner school they perfected their calligraphy skills and sampled Japanese school dinners - some Rossett students were even interviewed for Japanese TV!
They continued their visit with strawberry picking and moshi tasting and then said their 'farewells' to their exchange partners and left for Kyoto on the bullet train. The students then visited the Golden Temple, took part in a traditional tea ceremony and visited Fushimi Inari Shrine. Amongst the highlights so far have been their visits to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. To see more pictures see our Twitter @Rossett.
Review of 'The Little Shop of Horrors'
There are school productions, and then there are Rossett School productions! The Little Shop Of Horrors is a firm favourite with the public thanks to its quirky sci-fi storyline. Our departments of Drama and Music created a production worthy of its material.
Molly Hudson and Tom Hawkins were our superb production leads as Audrey and Seymour; Molly shining particularly brightly with both a beautiful voice and an impressively perfected accent; whilst Tom showcased a real flair for comedy throughout.
Supporting them were Toby Breeze, as the manic, cantankerous Mr Mushnik; Harvey Kennedy, as the mean dentist Orin Scrivello; and Holly Higlett as Audrey II - few can boast almost stealing the show from behind the scenes, but Holly, unseen in the plant, almost did.
Where would a show like this be without a charismatically sassy chorus? Not far. Thanks to Kylah Paul, Aliya Bridge, Ava Nurthen, Esmee Howie, Alice Bristow, Alyssa McHardy and Emily Pawson, the show benefitted greatly from some excellent comic-one liners. Who knew such young people could be quite so convincing as streetwise realists?
With the help of a dedicated supporting cast and a very professional looking set, there wasn’t much to slow down this whacky musical on its way to our ‘Rossett Highlights’ archive. The Band were nothing short of professional and were sensational to hear!
It’s clear that Rossett School’s production, with excellent direction from Miss Askew and Mrs McLurg, (not to mention the beautiful choreography of The Ronnettes from Miss Geldart), and the fabulous musicianship led by Mrs Waddington and Mr Durbin will go down as a highlight in many memories. With the high praise declared in enthusiastic applause at curtain call, I think we can all agree that this show is a wonderful example of after school hours well spent.
Miss Collins (Teacher of English)
Year 7 Celebration Breakfast
A group of Year 7 students were invited to a Celebration Breakfast this week; they were served bacon sandwiches, danish pastries and drinks by the Year Team. The event was held in recognition of the hard work the students have undertaken since starting at Rossett with special invitations to the event being sent to students who have achieved the highest 3Rs grades in the year group, and for those who have consistently worked above their target grades this term.
BBC Bitesize Careers Event
BBC Bitesize visited Rossett on Wednesday with their informative 'Careers Roadshow'. The event, organised by our English faculty 'Careers Champion' - Mr Carder - promotes the many and varied career options within the media. Hosted by Nick Bright, the panellists were Laura Jones (BBC Tech Apprentice); Sol B River (Writer/Director) and Dan Lindley, (Design Director). The students found the presentation to be interesting and inspiring and asked many informed questions.
Peace Poster Competition
For over three decades, Lions Clubs around the globe have been sponsoring an art contest in schools and youth groups. Last term Rossett students took part in the local Harrogate Lions Peace Poster Competition. This year's theme was 'Kindness Matters '. Entries to the competition were displayed in the Harrogate Library during the Christmas term and the overall winner was chosen by The Mayor of Harrogate. Congratulations to the winner, Ella Lewis and runner-up, Georgia Syson.
The Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair, Monday 4 March 2019 - 4pm – 8pm
We are delighted to provide details of a free apprenticeship event being held at Leeds First Direct Arena on Monday 4 March 2019. The event is the largest apprenticeship exhibition in the North, and will welcome students and parents/carers who would like to find out more about apprenticeships. Employers will offer a range of information to students including advice on the types of apprenticeships they offer, including new degree apprenticeships and information on the recruitment process.
The fair will showcase over 100 companies, including British Gas, BT, Marriot Hotel, Jaguar Land Rover, NHS, Jet2.com, and ITV. Many of the businesses and training providers will be advertising live apprenticeship vacancies. If you are interested in attending the advice we have been given is to ask you to please make your own way to the event (no booking is required).
For more information go to https://www.leeds.gov.uk/leedspathways/apprenticeships/larf2019 or visit Twitter #LARF2019
British Biology Olympiad
We are delighted to report that Shaun Wilson achieved a Gold Award in the recent British Biology Olympiad. He was in the top 7% of those who entered which is an exceptional achievement. Emily Whitaker, Lucy Lowes and Maisie Sadler all achieved a Commended award. The BBO is open to students in post-16 education studying at school or college and consists of two, 45-minute multiple choice papers, taken online in exam conditions - Shaun will now be entered into a ballot to attend a prestigious awards ceremony in London.
National Reference Tests for Key Stage 4
Ofqual, the body that regulates qualifications, examinations and assessments in England, runs National Reference Tests in English and Maths each year. The aim of the Tests is to provide additional information on changes in performance standards in GCSE English Language and Mathematics. A number of Year 11 students at Rossett have been selected at random by Ofqual to take either the English test or the Maths test.
The Test will be carried out on Monday 4 March during Period 1 and will be conducted under exam conditions in the Sports Hall. Mr Stone, Deputy Headteacher, will be present during the Test, alongside our Examinations Officer and representatives from the National Foundation for Educational Research (NFER). Students who have been selected do not need to prepare for the Test; no additional work or revision is required. The results of the tests will remain confidential and no students or schools will be identified in any reports produced as a result of the Tests.
Contingency Day for GCSE/A Level Examinations 2019
In advance of the Summer examination period we are advised to make you aware that should there be sustained national or local disruption during the June 2019 examination period, any affected exams will be re-scheduled for the 26th June 2019. Therefore, all students of examination age must be available up to and including the 26th June 2019.
Effectively, no holidays or absences should be booked in the examination window that starts on May 13th 2019 and closes after 26th June, 2019.
Sport Department Newsletter - Spring 2019
Once again, it has been a busy half term for the Sports Studies Department. The Sports' Council members have helped Miss Goacher produce a newsletter to keep parents and students up-to-date with all of the sporting activities at Rossett School. Click the link here for the latest newsletter.
Ski Trip departs
The 2019 Rossett ski trip departed for Austria this morning and will be skiing in the Alpendorf area. They will be using Twitter to keep us up-to-date with their activities throughout the week; follow them @Rossett and #Rski19 for day-to-day highlights.
Congratulations to ...
- The U14 Girls' Netball Team who won 21-15 against St Aidan's school;
- Ex-Rossett student, Robbie Gotts, who has signed a new contract with Leeds United Football Club.
What's happening after half-term...
Monday 4th March
- Year 7 Bewerley Park Trip departs (4 March-8 March)
Thursday 7th March
- World Book Day - activities held in school
- Year 9 Parents' Evening, 5.30pm-8.00pm
Friday 8th March
- Bewerley Park Trip returns
Easter holiday dates 15-26 april 2019
please note that north yorkshire holiday dates are different to those from surrounding authorities
I hope that you all have an enjoyable half-term break. We look forward to welcoming students back to school on Monday 4th March.
H Woodcock
Headteacher
