Rossett News Update - 13 May 2022
Examinations
Sponsored CPR event for the Ukraine Appeal
Our Rossett First Aid Team hosted their sponsored CPR event yesterday, in order to add to their fundraising total, raising money for those affected by the Ukraine conflict.
Eleven students from our First Aid Team, along with Mrs Rogers (First Aid & Health Manager), attempted to complete thirty minutes of CPR, working alone or in a team of two people. The challenge had to be completed within the hour - between 3.30pm and 4.30pm and some even challenged themselves to thirty minutes continuous CPR!
The group had a DJ system to keep them going with lots of high energy tunes especially chosen with 100-120 beats per minute. Mrs Rogers said, "It was very warm, hard work but lots of fun and there was great camaraderie amongst the students"! Students are continuing to collect their sponsor money this week and we look forward to updating the fundraising total in next week's Rossett News.
Skate Park Competition
Over the past six weeks Year 7 Geography students have been taking on the challenge of the 'Skatepark Project'. They were tasked with looking for a suitable location for a new skatepark in the local area. Various factors had to be taken into account, for example environmental considerations, and they were tasked with writing a letter to the council about their choice of site.
As part of this project, the students were asked to build a model or draw a design of their skatepark as a home learning task. The designs included a range of safety, security and trick features. In lessons, students voted for the best three models from each class, and these were put forward to compete in the final. Ms Woodcock (Headteacher) judged the final in class on Wednesday and selected the following winners:
Jovi Heninghem-Smith, Francesca Mindang, Will Gosper, Poppy Gray and Ted Carey.
Well done to everyone who took part in this fun and engaging Geography project.
'Read for Good'
In celebration of World Book Day our English Department challenged our students in Year 7 and Year 8 to a sponsored Readathon. 'Read for Good' is an organisation which aims to improve the outcomes for all children in the UK by encouraging and enabling children to develop a love of reading.
We are delighted to let you know that our students raised nearly £800 for this fantastic charity. Students who have read the most books as part of the challenge include: Natasha Littlejohns, Sam Cawte, Isla Nisbett, Mia Harvey, Oscar Jacson, Tate Dixon, Martha Buono and Serena Ritchie. Well done to all of those who took part.
LRC News from Mr Asker
The idea is a simple one, ten books chosen from each decade of the Queen’s reign with books chosen from writers across the Commonwealth. There are many wonderful books here and I don’t envy the panel of librarians, book sellers and literature experts whose job it was to come up with the final list. They were never going to please everyone but I was pleased that some less well known books and writers have been chosen here.
These sorts of recommended reading lists are always interesting (‘The Hundred Best Books Ever’ or ‘10 Books You Should Have Read But Probably Haven’t’ kind of thing) and there has certainly been lots of healthy discussion about the books chosen to mark this special moment. In general I think these kinds of lists are worth doing and, as ever, it is up to us as readers to pick what takes our fancy and what interests us.
From a school librarian perspective there are though some striking and noteworthy omissions and the absence of Lord of the Rings by J R R Tolkien, The Harry Potter stories by J K Rowling and The Dark Materials stories by Phillip Pullman seem, in my opinion anyway, to be a missed opportunity. They all hold one thing in common that whilst read by many adults or young adults, they are identified in the main as being ‘children’s books’ or at least books that are not primarily aimed at an adult audience. Their absence possibly suggests that books for young people are still not taken quite as seriously as books for adults and it has surprised many that not even one of the Harry Potter books has been chosen. It is hard to think of any other books in our history that have had such a profound effect on our reading and cultural lives.
That said, it is very encouraging to see ‘The Book Thief’ by Markus Zusak included. - which is a cross-over book between the generations, but very popular in secondary schools and enjoyed by many children and young people. As I said this was an unenviable task, but perhaps it hints that we have more work to do to make sure that children’s and young adults' fiction has an equal profile and presence in our reading culture.
I do hope that you find something on this list that is new to you or a comfort read forgotten or why not just try pot -uck and choose any of them?
So many books, so little time. I wish you a wonderful and bookish weekend when it comes.
Mr Asker
Summer Reading Challenge: Volunteers Needed
Harrogate Library have been in touch with us seeking volunteers over the summer holidays to assist them run the annual Reading Agency Summer Reading Challenge. This is a great opportunity for anyone looking to give back to the community or who have volunteering obligations for their Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is also a perfect opportunity to enhance students CVs and applications for university. Students will also be involved in helping with a variety of events, as well as signing children up to the challenge and helping them select books as well as shelving returned books.
Please contact Harrogate.Library@northyorks.gov.uk for further information.
Late Bus: Reminder
We have reminded students this week to make sure that they sign up for the Leeds Late Bus on the day that they will be using the service (it runs each Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). There are still a number of students getting on the bus who have not signed up for it. It is very important that we know who is travelling on the bus in case of queries or emergencies. This also includes students who are in an after school detention. The QR code to sign up can be found in main reception, student reception, R17, PE and outside the offices of the student support officers. The bus leaves from the front of school at 4.30 pm.
Year 9 HPV Immunisations
Parent Teacher Association/Parent Governor Vacancy
We regularly look for opportunities to recruit Parent Governors to the Governing Board at Rossett. This is an invaluable role, working with staff and contributing to the leadership of the school.
If you would like to apply or enquire about either opportunity, please contact Mrs D Duncan dduncan@rossettschool.co.uk in the first instance.
Lunch Menu
Exam Invigilators Needed
Well done to...
- The Year 7 cricket team won their match against PHGS this week by 45 runs.
- The U13 Cricket Team who won by nearly one hundred runs against St John Fisher School.
What's happening this half term...
Monday 9 May
- All BTEC examinations begin
Monday 16 May
- GCSE examinations begin
Thursday 19 May
- Year 7 Disco
Monday 23 May
- A Level examinations begin
Thursday 26 May
- Year 13 Graduation 6.00pm
Monday 30 May - Friday 3 June
- Half Term
Monday 6 June
- School re-opens for Summer Term.
H Woodcock
Headteacher
