Rossett News Update - 11 February 2022
Year 9 Options: Reminder of deadline
All students have now had their one-to-one options guidance interviews in Year 9. We hope that you and your child have found the resources, presentations, and meetings useful, and you are ready to make the all-important choices for next year.
A final reminder that the deadline for your child to return their options form is by 9.00am on Wednesday 16th February. If they need any further guidance on the options process please ask your child to speak to their tutor, Ms Mooney (DOL: Year 9), Mr Saunders (Deputy Headteacher) or Mr Stone (Assistant Headteacher) early next week.
Covid Vaccinations: Thursday 16th February
Changes to Exams - Summer 2022
On Monday, the JCQ released the changes to the GCSE and A Level exam for this year. We have been working on analysing the changes, ready to communicate to students and parents and to begin adjusting the teaching of the remaining topics. A separate email has been issued to all parents and carers of students in Year 11 and Year 13 explaining the changes.
Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary Development
For some students, we know that the pandemic has impacted on their reading ability and the breadth of their vocabulary. In response to this, we are investing in professional development for all teachers and teaching assistants to provide a literacy rich environment for your child. This week, the Quality of Education Team delivered training to all teachers about the most effective, research informed reading strategies they can use in the classroom to close the reading gap. As a parent/carer, you can make a significant difference to your child's reading ability by reading with them or to them and introducing them to new words to help them access the curriculum in all their subjects.
Examination Certificate Collection 2021: Former students only
We are pleased to confirm that all students who took their examinations in Summer 2021 and who did not collect their certificates in the autumn can now come into school on Wednesday 16th February or Tuesday 1st March, from 3.30pm.
Please email exams@rossettschool.co.uk to indicate which of the above dates you/your child may want to attend to collect the certificates from Reception. Please allow 48 hours’ notice. Students will need to bring photo identification e.g. a drivers’ licence or passport; if someone else is collecting certificates on your child’s behalf, a signed letter of authorisation must be provided. The authorised person must also provide proof of their identification, as well.
Exam certificates should be kept safe as they may be required at a later date by employers and other education establishments. The awarding bodies now implement a standard procedure for dealing with unclaimed certificates and as such the school is only obliged to keep certificates for a period of 12 months. After this time, any queries concerning unclaimed certificates should be directed to the awarding body that issued the certificates.
Furthermore, awarding bodies are not able to replace lost certificates but will issue a “Certified Statement of Results” at a charge. Should you require further clarification please contact our Examinations Officer, Miss J Allan at jallan@rossettschool.co.uk.
Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week - 7th-13th February 2022
To support children’s mental health and wellbeing a new service is being launched throughout schools in North Yorkshire. The Wellbeing in Mind Team (WiMT) aim to promote and prevent mental health and wellbeing using three functions:
- Whole School Approach
- Consultations and support to staff
- Direct work individually or in groups
The Wellbeing in Mind Team support schools and colleges with their approach to wellbeing. For more information, please visit their Instagram page @wellbeinginmind.mhst
Learning Resource Centre News
It is a great pleasure to hand over to our librarians this week who would like to recommend some books that they have enjoyed:
'The Lord of The Flies' tells of a group of troublesome boys, all longing to flee from a deadly island, but it’s not that easy when you have to fend and kill to survive. With no grown-ups to comfort them and provide discipline, will they be able to endure their savage selves? The Lord of The Flies is a compelling story of how mankind can respond in the face of extreme adversity.
(Natasha Eagland Year 7)
I would recommend 'Throne of Glass' by Sarah J Maas. I would recommend this book as the start to an action-packed, eight-book series with amazingly written characters, a world built and a plot in every book that keeps you on edge. I found I couldn't tear my eyes away from the pages - wanting to know more about what happens.
(Olivia Penman Year 9)
My book recommendation is 'Girl Mans Up' by M-E Girard. The book tells the story of Penelope Oliveira, a queer Portuguese American teenager who struggles to find people who will accept her for who she is. Penelope's character (also known as Pen), has been described as a "strong genderqueer lesbian character, imperfect, independent, and deserving of every cheer."
I'm recommending this book because I believe that it gives an amazing story for people who seek inspiration or to anyone who's struggled to be understood. It can also help those struggling to understand particular issues, such as homophobia, transphobia, racism, gender stereotypes, sexism and more. The book contains 373 inspiring pages and won the Lambda Literary Award for Children and Young Adult Literature in 2017.
(Tallulah Crawford Year 9)
My thanks to Natasha, Olivia and Tallulah for their thoughtful contributions this week.
As you can see our recently appointed student librarians are having a wonderful impact already on our reading culture here at Rossett. All of the student librarians are now trained in how to use the IT system for the taking out, returning and renewing of books - who knew that they would find using the date stamp so much fun? They are also similarly enthusiastic for the shelving of books, tidying up and in Year 9 particularly fond of discussing the merits and otherwise of the Mr Men series!
Final word from the LRC this week goes to Tallulah for Library joke of the week: A book fell on the librarian’s head - she only had her shelf to blame!
Happy reading everyone.
Mr Asker
Sixth Form news...
UK Youth Parliament
Well done to Poppy Magill in Year 12 who is running for UK Youth Parliament. Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) are elected every two years by other young people in their local area. Any 11-18 year old can stand or vote in the election.
The last two weeks of this half term have seen every student at Rossett School, from Years 7 to 13, have the opportunity to complete a ballot paper and vote for their preferred candidates from their manifestos. We wish Poppy all the best in her national endeavours and we are keeping our fingers crossed for the vote counting! British Youth Council | Make Your Mark - UK Youth Parliament (byc.org.uk)
Work Experience:
Year 12 students have been working hard to secure their work experience placements. Work experience provides a great opportunity for students to experience the world of work; gain important skills; and to get an insight into a potential future career. We have already seen placements being arranged in areas including: primary education, hospitality, IT, engineering, finance, architecture, accountancy, law and veterinary practices - all of which are fantastic.
The deadline for placements to be arranged is Monday 28th February 2022. This date is set by NYBEP, the organisation who completes our employers' risk assessments and manages the work experience process. Work experience takes place between Monday 20th June 2022 and Friday 24th June 2022. Please click here for the previous correspondence from Mr Durbin sent on 26th January 2022 that contains all the instructions and payment details.
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 current 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.
After reporting a positive LFD test result, they will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace so that their contacts can be traced.
Anyone who tests positive will now be able to leave self-isolation FIVE DAYS after the date of their initial positive test if they receive two negative lateral flow test results, 24 hours apart, on days five and six or any subsequent consecutive days.
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.
Current Vacancies - Invigilators Required
Well done to...
- The Year 11 Boys' Basketball Team came second in the North Yorkshire finals which took place in York last night. The boys won against St Aidan’s and Lady Lumley’s however lost narrowly to Bootham School in the final. We are very proud of them all however a special mention goes to Team Captain, Spencer Huggett, for leading the team and for being so supportive of the Year 7,8,9 and 10 teams and their coaching.
- The Year 9 Boys' Football Team who progressed to the semi-final of the Area Cup with an incredible 9-0 victory.
- The Year 8B Boys' Football Team who played against St Aidan’s for the first time - the first opportunity many of the students have had to represent the school. Although it was the first time may of them had played in the school 'red strip' they showed absolute determination and resilience. Well done!
Pictured: Year 11 Basketball Team changed and ready to go home to celebrate their runner-up place in the
North Yorkshire finals, this week.
H Woodcock
Headteacher
