Rossett News Update - 21 May 2021

Face Coverings 

We would like to remind you that it is incredibly important that your child continues to wear a face covering in corridors, communal spaces and all other indoor areas of the school whilst moving around the site.  Students must also continue to wear face coverings on public transport and school buses. However, students do not need to wear a face covering in their classrooms, during lessons. More specifically, students in years 11 and 13 who are sitting assessments do not have to wear their face coverings in examination halls or classrooms.  We acknowledge that some students may wish to continue wearing a face covering in classrooms or examination halls; they are permitted to do so.

Thank you all for your support in ensuring that your child arrives at school each day with a mask and a spare.

 

Student Guide to Awarding Grades Summer 2021

A reminder that Ofqual have produced a comprehensive guide for students with detailed information about how their grades will be awarded this summer.  The guide covers everything from how their grade will be determined to further guidance on where they can access more information and support.  Click HEREto download the document.

Pearson have also published guidance on the awarding of BTEC Level 3 qualifications which can be found HERE.

Changes to School Day Timings and Rooming after Half Term

After half term we are making three temporary changes to the timing of the school day and the location of some student lessons.  Please find the details of these changes listed below:

Year 9 students will be moving to a late break and late lunch from 7th June - 23rd July

• After half term, Year 7 and 8 students will return to an early break (10:05-10:25) and early lunch (12:25-1:10) each day;
• Year 9 students will join Year 10 and Year 12 students on a late break (11:05-11:25) and late lunch (1:25-2:10) each day;
• And, as a result, students'  social spaces will also change.  These changes are highlighted in the table below and allow us to continue to keep students in their bubble:

Break and Lunch Times:

Year Group	Indoor Space	Wet Outdoor Space	Dry Outdoor Space
Year 7 (Early)	Blue Dining Hall	Top Tennis Courts	Top Tennis Courts or Field
Year 8 (Early)	Main Hall	Bottom Tennis Courts	Field
Year 9 (Late)	Main Hall	Bottom Tennis Courts	Field
Year 10 (Late)	Blue Dining Hall	Top Tennis Courts	Top Tennis Courts or Field
Year 12 (Late)	Sixth Form Block	Sixth Form Block	Field

 Year 8 

• Year 8 lessons will be moving out of our Science corridor after half term and into our suite of R rooms;
• This will mean that our Science department can fully return to practical Science lessons for students in all year groups;
• Year 8 students will have new timetables issued to them in due course, showing these changes.

Year 10 lessons currently roomed in B4 and B5 are moving

• Year 10 lessons and form times that are currently held in B4 or B5 are moving to rooms R1 and R2;
• Year 10 students affected will have new timetables issued to them in due course.

 

Lateral Flow Tests

Thank you for continuing to encourage your child to take part in the twice-weekly lateral flow testing.  Further tests have been sent home with students today and this batch will come as one box containing seven tests for Years 7, 8, 9 and 10. Year 12 will receive two boxes of three tests.  This will provide students with enough Lateral Flow Devices to allow them to test at home until Wednesday 9^th June (Year 12) or Sunday 13^th June (Years 7-10). There will be no LFT Kits for Year 11 and Year 13 today – we are awaiting additional kits being sent.

As a reminder, staff and students are undertaking their home tests each Sunday and Wednesday evening. Advice on how to report the results of these tests to the NHS and the school is contained in our previous letter - a copy of which is available again HERE.  We very much appreciate your support in continuing to report your child's results to our school and know that these reported results help the NHS and the school manage the wider safety of our local community.

The Big Ask Survey

This week, all students have been sent the link to complete The Big Ask survey. This is the largest ever survey of children and young people in England.  The Children's Commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, outlines the importance of the survey:

 "My job is to speak up for children in England, stand up for their rights, and make sure that the people in power listen to what children need and want.  It’s time to give something big back to young people like you after COVID — and we need your help to do it.  We’ll use what you tell us to show the government what you think, and what children need to live happier lives."

Please encourage your child to check their school email and complete the survey so that they can share their voice.

 

Year 9 MenACY and DTP Immunisations

An NHS letter has been sent this week to parents/carers of our Year 9 students, inviting them to consent to their child's routine MenACWY and DTP immunisations.  These immunisations are scheduled to take place, at school, on Monday 28 June.  If, for any reason, you did not receive a copy of this letter you can access it here.

Sixth Form - Class of 2021

On Thursday 27th May, Year 13 leavers are invited to celebrate the 'Class of 2021' in a  Graduation event in the Main Hall between 6.00pm and 8.00pm. Student awards will be presented and drinks and refreshments will be available.  Students can celebrate their time at Rossett in the photo booth capturing images of friendships forged in their time here. Year 13 students will have received their official invitation this week.  Due to current restrictions this event is for students only.

BBC Radio York Visit Rossett Sports' Centre 

We were delighted to welcome BBC Radio York to our 3G area this week to talk about the crowdfunding campaign recently launched by Rossett Sports' Centre.  Julia Lewis, the station's community reporter, interviewed Josh Lyon, (Sports Centre Manager); Miss Fairbairn (Director of Studies, PE); and Mr O'Sullivan (Teacher of PE), along with some of our fantastic students and a representative from Harrogate Town FC Foundation.

We were particularly impressed with students Abbey Harland, Charlie Lumsden and Alfie Lumsden who spoke  confidently about the impact of a new surface on their training and sporting activities.  Julia Lewis, the reporter, was even put through her paces in a 'crossbar challenge'. You can listen to all of the interviews by visiting 'BBC Sounds' here.

The 3G pitch at Rossett is used by both the local community and the school;  facilities like these are particularly important in these post-COVID times where improving mental health and regaining physical strength are both so important.  The Sports' Centre, working with the school, are fundraising for a replacement surface.  For further information please visit the Crowdfunding site HERE and donate some money to secure this community facility for the future, for the local clubs and groups who use it.  Every little helps!

Inter-form PE Competition 

Next week will see the return of our  Inter-Form competition in PE lessons.  

The main aims of our inter-form events are: 

• All boys and girls inter-form Year 7, 8 and 9 will be mixed to promote gender equality in sport; 
• Promote social aspects and cohesion between a sometimes boy/ girl divide; 
• Create a competition aspect where all students are challenged;  
• Winning forms each half term- all members will receive ten class chart points, second place forms will receive five, third place 4pts and so on.  

Students will have a choice of two sports for their first lesson- this will be either softball or rounders and will be the competition element of the inter-form week. The second lesson will be organised in the same way where the students will choose between  tennis, rounders, cricket or football, these two sports will focus on mass participation and again, will be mixed. 

Please see below for the current form standings from previous competitions- the results are very close with two competitions remaining this year. 

Look out for the results  next Friday and joining us in hoping for some good weather next week! 

Year 7 Current Total after three rounds		Year 8 Current Total after three rounds		Year 9 Current Total after three rounds
1st	ECS	1st	RHF	1st	MWN
2nd	ARZ	1st	RSN	2nd	KTL
2nd	HGR	2nd	SLG	3rd	RSG
2nd	LMQ	3rd	THS	4th	MPS
3rd	LMA	4th	KMD	5th	LAW
3rd	LRS	5th	IHK	5th	VBR
		5th	LGM	5th	MET
		6th	MCT	6th	TPE

 

Rossett School PTA News...

The PTA has had a fantastic response to their request for good quality school uniform for the ‘Rossett School Uniform Recycling Scheme’ and as such now need to temporarily suspend further donations until more of the current stock is distributed.

The PTA  have an excellent selection of good quality uniform and parents are encouraged  to visit their site www.rossettpta.co.uk and browse their  stock.  Reserving items is easy and remember this scheme is completely free.  Their uniform site will remain open until the end of the Summer term so please help us help you and at the same time you might find a bargain.

PTA AGM: A message from our PTA

Our PTA AGM will take place at 7.00pm on Thursday 24 June 2021.  The current Committee are now due to stand down as their children move through the Sixth Form.  This will enable a smooth transition for new members to take over.   We would like to invite nominations for the following positions: Chairperson, Vice Chair, Secretary and Treasurer.  As a PTA, we must hold an AGM but following the short formalities on the agenda, we aim to make the meeting as informal as possible.  If you would like more information regarding the PTA and any of the vacant roles, or, wish to submit a nomination for a position, feel free to have a chat with us by contacting info@rossettpta.co.uk .      

Read @ Rossett

Mrs Huett, our Learning Resource Centre Manager, is continually updating the resources in our LRC and is always on the look-out for a good read! This week, we feature all of the new titles that have arrived for students to borrow.  Try David Almond's stunningly illustrated graphic novel which is spooky, powerful and moving 'Joe Quinn's Poltergeist' or - for younger readers - a fun mystery, 'The Boy Who Fooled the World'. Click here to find out more.

Mental Health and Wellbeing

We would like to remind you of the support groups, websites and text-based helplines that exist to help our students combat any feelings of anxiety. We know that many students continue to have some concerns about their future,  or the continuing national coverage of the pandemic.

The Go-To – www.thegoto.org.uk – is a portal or ‘single point of information’ for the wide range of mental health support services available to help children and young people in the county address their social and emotional health needs.

https://www.kooth.com/        https://www.minded.org.uk/

Covid-19: Reporting

Below is a reminder  of the reporting procedures  and symptom checker before attending each day:

If your child has any of the symptoms described in the attached parental letter from Public Health England here, they must stay at home and arrangements need to be made to have a test.    You must call the school absence line (01423 564 444) and leave a voicemail informing us about the situation and the reason your child is not in school.

We would remind you that you should only book a test if your child has any of these three coronavirus symptoms:

• A high temperature: any new high temperature where your child feels hot to touch on their chest or back (you do not need to measure the temperature);
• A new continuous cough: coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours;
• A loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste: a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal.

If your child has been off school for a reason related to Covid-19, it is vital that you contact us  before they return and give us the reason they are returning e.g. a negative test result. 

• Public Health England has asked us to emphasise with our parents/carers that the NHS Track and Trace App is not applicable to students under the age of 16, and therefore should not be installed on the phones of students who are under 16. If any parent has to inform the school regarding a positive Covid case please email https://rossett.school/positive and complete the form.

Lunch Menu

We know it is helpful to parents/carers to discuss the following week's lunch menu with their child.  We will include a link to our catering page each week to make this easier to access for all.  Please click HERE for next week's school lunch menu.

And finally...

Well done to Year 9 student Ryan Horner who took these lovely photographs as part of his Prince's Trust Award, capturing the changing light as we approach the days of summer.

What's happening this term...

Wednesday 26th May

• Year 11 End of Year Celebration following Chemistry assessment.  Students allowed to leave school site at approximately 12.15pm.

Thursday 27th May

• Year 13 Graduation Evening -  6.00pm-8.00pm (students only)

Friday 28th May

• Extended Assessments finish for KS4 and KS5 students;
• Half Term - Monday 31st May - Friday 4th June.

Monday 7th June

• Summer Term Commences.

H Woodcock

Headteacher