Rossett News Update - 18 March 2022
Year 11 Mock Examinations Monday: 21 March - Friday 25th March
Parents/Carers of our students in Year 11 received a letter today with detailed information about the forthcoming assessment week and the Summer 2022 examination period. The model for this summer is for formal examinations for GCSE and BTEC to take place, under timed conditions in the school Sports' Hall. The assessments next week should be viewed as an opportunity to practise for the examinations taking place in May and June. The year group had an assembly this week providing further guidance and advice. Additional advice has been provided to parents/carers regarding supporting their child at home and their wellbeing and mental health.
Red Nose Day 2022
Today, students and staff 'dressed down' and 'dressed up' to raise money for Comic Relief's Red Nose Day 2022. This year students were invited to wear yellow and blue in support of the people of Ukraine and the Sixth Form ran a number of fundraising events including a fancy dress competition and 'Zorbing' on the 4G at lunchtime.
From dinosaurs to a 'mad hatter' we have enjoyed seeing the wonderful and varied costumes the students have chosen. Kind donations were received and the total so far is £1,100 and counting! Thank you to everyone who took part in today's charity event.
Acoustic Night
Last night parents and carers attended our annual 'Acoustic Night' and enjoyed performances from students in all year groups. A full report and photos will appear in next week's Rossett News.
Down Syndrome Awareness Day 2022
On Monday 21 March Down Syndrome Awareness Day is celebrated worldwide. This is a global awareness day which has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.
The date for WDSD being the twenty first day of the third month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the twenty first chromosome which causes Down Syndrome.
Students in Year 7 have received an assembly today and will have the opportunity on Monday to wear odd socks with their normal school uniform in support of World Down Syndrome Day.
Coats in Classrooms and Dining Halls
Having assessed the changing weather and the temperature in classrooms and dining halls, we have made the decision that from Monday 21 March students will no longer be allowed to wear coats in these areas of the school. Students must wear a blazer at all times of the school day and shirts must be tucked in. Hoodies are not allowed in school.
Year 7 Geography Fieldtrip - Skatepark project
This week saw the start of our Year 7 skatepark fieldtrips and the first opportunity for some students to engage in some Geography fieldwork. Miss Mitchell, Mrs Strowbridge and Mrs Leeming have been taking out their classes to the school field, the nearby nature reserve, and to a local allotment. The aim of the fieldwork is for the students to decide which of the three sites is a suitable space to build a new skatepark.
Whilst at the sites, the students have to consider various things such as space and type of land to build on; access to site and exposure to wind; proximity to houses, and whether the site would lead to the project being sustainable. In the coming weeks, Year 7 will then make different graphs to analyse the data and will eventually write up a project report to decide on which site they will build their skatepark. A special thank you to all of the Sixth Form students who have given up their time to come on the fieldtrips with us - it wouldn't be possible without them!
iPad Scheme and repairs: A message from the Finance Office
All students are required to look after their iPad and bring the fully charged device to school everyday. All school iPads must have a screen protector fitted and be in a school approved STM Dux case.
If you or your child notice that the screen protector is cracked, please report this to the iPad team in the Finance Office as soon as possible.
If the iPad is damaged please ensure that this is reported quickly to prevent further damage occurring.
New screen protectors are available for £10 and will be fitted to the device for you. Cases are available as well from the Finance office for £20. If you have any iPad related queries please email ipad@rossettschool.co.uk
Learning Resource Centre News from Mr Asker
An interesting study this week from Sussex and Edinburgh University has shown that a student’s reading habits do have an influence on their success in public exams.
The study found that parents and children’s reading habits had a significant impact on GCSE grades and “engaging in two or three reading activities, on average, increases the student’s GCSE score by between seven and nine points! The size of this effect should not be overlooked, since an extra GCSE pass at grade 9 is worth eight points.”
I hope the following suggestions for what such reading activities might look like are helpful to you.
- Regular reading for pleasure as part of family life; sharing recommendations; watching a movie then reading the book; finding time to read as a family; your child being aware that you read regularly; books being accessible and valued at home;
- Informal book talk between family members - such as showing an interest in your child’s reading or asking them to tell you about the book, its plot and characters is a great idea;
- Visits to libraries and book shops and encouraging your child to browse; encouraging them to visit a new part of the library/bookshop and try something new pays dividends. Parents should respect reading and book choices and give book vouchers as presents as well as ensuring your child has a library card.
There are a number of well-respected studies that now confirm the benefits of reading for pleasure and its impact on academic success.
I hope you have a lovely weekend and don’t hesitate to email if I can help in anyway with supporting your child to enjoy reading.
Mr Asker
HPV Vaccinations Year 9
Teaching Assistant Vacancy
We are looking to appoint a committed professional with the vision, drive and interpersonal skills to motivate students and enable them to access learning. The role includes assisting teachers with the learning and management of students in the classroom. This is an important role within the teaching and learning framework and the post-holder would be expected to contribute to the high-quality teaching and learning already on offer within the school. Please visit our website here for more information and application details.
Exam Invigilators Needed
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 in the first instance.
Covid-19 Guidance
We would like to remind you of our current Covid-19 guidance. We continue to promote good hygiene and adequate ventilation in school;
- Anyone showing the main symptoms of COViD-19 should order a PCR test (https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test) and stay at home until they have a conclusive test result.
- Anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 should stay at home for a minimum of 5 days, testing from day 5 until they have two consecutive negative test results.
- Students can return to school on day 6, if they have had negative test results (on days 5 and 6) and they are not registering a high temperature.
- A positive test on either day 5 or 6 and a high temperature means that students should remain at home until two consecutive tests show negative up to Day 10. Students can return to school after Day 10 even if they are still testing positive. A reminder of the symptoms to look out for:
The main symptoms of COVID-19 are still a recent onset of any of the following:
- a new continuous cough
- a high temperature
- a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia) National guidance and local Public Health advice asks parents to consider any ‘cold or flulike’ symptoms as a reason to book out a test.
Please note: Children and young people who usually attend an education or childcare setting and who live with someone who has COVID-19 should continue to attend the setting as normal.
Well done to...
- Luke Atkinson (Year 9) who has been selected for the North East Performance Centre squad for hockey;
- Niamh Owens (Year 9)for her win at a 16U tennis tournament in Goole - her third win in a row;
- Eilidh Owens (Year 9) who won a silver medal at the Cumbrian Open Junior Karate competition;
- Jamie Stokoe and Alfie Lumsden (Year 9) who have reached the ESFA National Plate final with their U14s Harrogate & Craven District football team.
What's happening this half term...
Monday 21 March-Friday 25 March
- Year 11 Assessment Week.
Monday 21 March
- Down Syndrome Day - Year 7 students can wear 'odd socks' to show their support.
Thursday 31 March
- Year 8 Parents' Evening: 4.30pm-7.00pm
Thursday 7 April
- GCSE Drama trip to 'Blood Brothers' - Grand Opera House York, leaving at 1.20pm
- Year 12/Year 13 Parents' Evening: 4.30pm-7.00pm
Friday 8 April
- End of Term: Easter Break
H Woodcock
Headteacher
