Rossett News Update - 1 May 2020

In our Friday news to you, I would like to begin by thanking you for your cooperation with our student and parent questionnaires this last week. We are always happy to take individual feedback from parents on our remote learning provision and welfare checks, and were heartened to receive your positive responses to the systems we have put in place to set work and keep in touch.

To show our students that we are thinking of them, the staff have put together a series of messages and images of their experience in lockdown. Watch out for this, coming soon to an inbox near you!

The business of examination awarding continues for our students in Years 11 and 13; staff have  compiled the evidence of grading and will be communicating directly with the examination boards. Could I please reiterate the message sent to parents and students last week, in the individual letters sent home – please do not directly contact the school, the examinations’ team or the staff to enquire about the final grades for your child. We have had really clear direction from the examination boards and the JCQ that this is absolutely not permissible. I know that you will both understand and support us in complying with these instructions.

As you would imagine, we continue to plan for different scenarios for a return to school in the future. We have no definite date or information - beyond that shared by the government in the national press, but as Headteacher I am working with my deputies to look in detail at the logistics before we are directed to open.

We will only open when we have:

• Unequivocal assurances with scientific evidence that it is safe to reopen – for both children and adults;
• National passing of the government’s five tests;

• Strong, reliable, clear safety measures that the government takes responsibility for, including on PPE and testing;
• Unequivocal, clear guidance on procedures that must be followed;
• Workable social distancing rules;
• Ideally, clarity on examination expectations for our Year 10 and Year 12 students, to inform our timetable planning.

With every best wish for a peaceful weekend.

Helen Woodcock.

Thank you

Staff and students would like to say thank you for the messages of goodwill we have received in school since the lockdown commenced.  Students thoroughly enjoyed the Easter eggs donated from the Lindt store in the Trinity Shopping Centre and the staff keeping Rossett open for our students appreciated chocolates from Hotel Chocolat, Harrogate.  Our local community have also expressed their support for the students and staff who are coming into school.  Thank you to Christine and Rehmat for the homemade jewellery made in  the colours of the rainbow and to our friends at Harrogate Support for Key Workers for the delicious cakes received yesterday.  We thank you for your continued support and goodwill.

 

Fantastic fundraising by Rossett student

George Papadopoullos in Year 9 completed a twelve hour 'dance-athon' yesterday to show his support and raise vital funds for the NHS.  George danced non-stop from 8am to 8pm and was joined throughout the day by friends on Zoom, his little sister Eva and his mum, Kath.  George has smashed his initial target of £500 and his total currently stands at £1935 (not unlike our national hero Colonel Tom), we are sure this will keep rising and hopefully reach £2000!  If you would like to contribute follow the link https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/kath-papadopoullos 

To achieve his goal George danced the BBO dance syllabus from grade 1-5, completed online English Youth Ballet classes and finished the day with a virtual conga line outside his house during the 'Clap for Carers' at 8pm.  I am sure you will join us in congratulating George on this fantastic success for such a worthy cause.  Well done George, all at Rossett are very proud of you.

Rawcliffes

Our school uniform provider, Rawcliffes have informed us how they intend to manage their shop this summer with lockdown restrictions still likely to be in place. They have asked that we pass this information on to you so that you are aware of the changes that they will have to impose over the coming months in order to ensure the safety of their customers and staff. Click here for further information.

Rawcliffes also have a website www.rawcliffesharrogate.co.uk with both delivery and collection options now available. 

Ramadan

As Ramadan commences I would like to confirm the school's commitment to work with our Muslim students and their families during this time.  I would ask that parents contact their child's year team if we can support our students in their religious observances during this time of change.

Student work

We continue to be extremely impressed with our student's attitude to learning during these difficult times.  From Mathematics to Drama and PE to Art our students have produced some very impressive work showing great talent, skill and imagination. Teacher of English, Mrs Wood was very impressed with a 'Lockdown Recipe' written by Laura Francis in Year 11 - read it here - it's very good! Follow us on Twitter @Rossett for weekly challenges from our PE Department. Keep up the good work!

Sixth Form Applications 

Another reminder that the offer letters for current Year 11 students were sent out during the Easter holidays. If for any reason your child has yet to receive an offer letter from the Sixth Form please contact Mr. Foley (bfoley@rossettschool.co.uk). Year 11 students who have received an offer letter and have not yet replied, should email Miss Higgins (phiggins@rossettschool.co.uk) to confirm that they are accepting their place in Sixth Form next year.

Please remember if your child would like to put in a late university application or requires further careers' advice, they can contact Mr. Foley (bfoley@rossettschool.co.uk) who can offer advice or put them in touch with our independent careers' advisor.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

We would like to remind you of the support groups, websites and text-based helplines that exist to help students combat feelings of anxiety that may result from worrying about examinations or the current national coverage of the pandemic.

• Kooth – a free, online counselling service available at kooth.com
• Buzz Us – run by Compass Buzz and specific to young people from North Yorkshire; this is a text messaging service that connects students to a ‘well-being’ advisor on 07520631168 https://www.compass-uk.org/buzz-us/
• Young Minds - https://youngminds.org.uk/
• NHS Every Mind Matters - https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/
• Give us a Shout - https://www.giveusashout.org/
• The Mix - https://www.themix.org.uk/
• Nightline - https://www.nightline.ac.uk/

Padlet

A reminder that Mrs Huett, our Learning Resource Manager, has been working hard  in putting all of our reading resources in one easily accessible area.  Follow the link to 'Padlet' here for lots of links, reviews and recommendations.  Remember to keep checking in on 'Padlet' as news and links will be updated regularly.

Each week we hope to highlight one area of Padlet - this week Mrs Huett recommends 'Book of Hopes' which can be found in the 'What's New' section.  This free digital book has been published for the lockdown and contains poems, short stories, essays and illustrations and has contributions from over 100 famous authors.

Tips for home learning

• Where possible have a quiet space away from distractions;
• Be organised - have a routine based around the school day including break and lunchtime;
• Leave your mobile phone in another room and turn off notifications while you are home learning;
• Stay safe on-line - only use trusted websites.
• Remember you can contact your teachers with any queries via Teams and the Network Team with any IT queries. at: studentIThelp@rossettschool.co.uk

And finally.....

As promised we are pleased to be able to share 'John and Yoko'  that we were unable to last week - I'm sure you will agree it was worth the wait!

H Woodcock

Headteacher