Rossett News Update - 28 January 2022
As I write, this week has been one of real change and one in which the 'green shoots' of returning freedoms have figured heavily. I was really pleased to be part of the workshop last Saturday with the intrepid students from our Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme - ably led by Miss Taswell, Mr Surtees, Mr Pears, Miss Mitchell, and Mr Dale. Working from the Sixth Form block, the students:
- planned practice routes and practised their map-reading skills;
- practised the cooking of basic rations, using a trangia;
- and, tried hard to put up tents against the clock.
Well done to all involved; I look forward to the Nidderdale experience!
In further news, the rehearsals for the school production of 'Matilda' are well underway (although pauses for Covid absence have been inevitable); the School Council has been building back up to face-to-face meetings; and small assemblies start again next week.
I was also pleased to hear from Year 11 students, in person, their aspirations for the future - from the young person with a farming background who has mapped his way through Level 3 qualifications to taking on the family business to another student who sat with me to discuss the possibilities that her intended Pharmacology degree could offer in terms of a future career, they were all inspiring and hopeful glimpses from a generation very much with their eye on the future. The week concluded with the first 'in person' Headteachers' Awards or 'Friday 5s' taking place. We had continued these awards remotely, but it was uplifting to speak to the winners in person and congratulate them on their academic progress and effort in school.
Asymptomatic testing
Students were given another box of home testing kits on Wednesday (26 January). We request that students continue to test on Sunday and Wednesday evenings and we thank you for your support with this. Reporting test results is just as important as taking the test as this helps the NHS to understand the virus and take additional action when needed. Please report your 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 we would also ask that you inform the school at: https://rossett.school/studentcovidreport.
Please note that this asymptomatic testing programme does not replace current guidance for those who are symptomatic, even if mild, which is to arrange a PCR test as soon as possible. If your child develops a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loses their sense of smell or taste or it changes they should self-isolate until they receive the results of their PCR test.
Changes to the self-isolation period for those who test positive for COVID-19
As you are aware changes to the self-isolation period came into effect on Monday 17 January and these apply to all positive cases, regardless of vaccination status. If your child is self-isolating with COVID-19 they have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative with a Lateral Flow test on both day 5 and day 6 and they do not have a temperature.
For example, if your child tests negative on the morning of day 5 and the morning of day 6, they can return to school immediately on day 6. The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. All test results should be reported to NHS Test and Trace. If the result of either test is positive, your child should continue to self-isolate until they get negative results from two Lateral Flow tests on consecutive days or until they have completed 10 full days of self-isolation, whichever is earliest.
Face masks
As a school we have reviewed our risk assessment and in line with government guidance; students will no longer be required to wear face coverings in school from yesterday, Thursday 27 January 2022. However, should they wish to continue wearing a face covering in communal areas or classrooms, they are welcome to.
Year 9 Options
Sixth Form Interviews
This week our Year 11 Sixth Form Interviews have taken place where each of our Year 11 students have attended an interview to discuss subject choices and further progression with a senior member of staff. If any student has yet to register for the Sixth Form for September 2022, further details can be viewed here and Mr Keyworth, Mr Durbin and the Sixth Form team are only too happy to speak to parents and students. Please email either rkeyworth@rossettschool.co.uk or rdurbin@rossettschool.co.uk or phiggins@rossettschool.co.uk.
Leeds Apprenticeship Recruitment Fair - Monday 7 February
We are delighted to pass on details of a free apprenticeship event being held at Leeds First Direct Arena on Monday 7 February 2021. The event is the largest apprenticeship exhibition in the North, and will welcome students and parents/carers who would like to find out more about apprenticeships. Employers will offer a range of information to students including advice on the types of apprenticeships they offer, including degree apprenticeships and information of the recruitment process.
Extra-Curricular Programme - January 2022
We are delighted to let you know that we have added a number of activities to our on-going and very popular extra-curricular programme. Lunchtime clubs of badminton/volleyball and dodgeball are on offer (week B) and students should speak to a member of the PE staff if they would like more details.
Learning Resource Centre News
I am delighted to announce that the following students have been successful in their applications and will become student librarians:
Y7 Maja Jasiecki
Y7 Faith Thomas
Y7 Natasha Eagland
Y7 Chloe Blackburn
Y7 Imogen Johnston
Y7Mosinmiloluwa Adeymi
Y7 William Gosper
Y8 Jamie Dacre
Y8 Diana Udeshi
Y9 Holly Binns
Y9 Mia Ann Hobson
Y9 Tallulah Crawford-Syson
Y9 Ashly Omoregbee.
Y10 Lucy Wighton
Y10 Katherine Bucknell
Y13 Rebecca Turner
These students will work in the LRC for a couple of sessions a week during break and lunchtimes helping with issuing and returning books, shelving books, dealing with pupil enquiries, keeping the LRC tidy etc. The standard of applications was excellent and all were a pleasure to read. I am sure you will join with me in congratulating the worthy winners and wish them luck in their new roles. I am looking forward to working alongside them very much.
This week Year 7 students have been delighted to receive their book of choice from Bookbuzz organised by Book Trust. Bookbuzz is a reading programme for Year 7 students that aims to help schools inspire a love of reading in students. I don’t envy the students having to choose one book from the amazing range of titles that were available to them. The three most popular titles were Wonderscape by Jennifer Bell, The Haunting of Aveline Jones by Phil Hickes and D Day Dog by Tom Palmer. Please do visit www.booktrust.org.uk/Bookbuzz with your child as they can write reviews of their books and read content and blogs from the Bookbuzz authors. It has been great to see so many Year 7 students coming in to the LRC to read their new books and I hope they enjoy them.
Finally, you may be aware that a new Marvel series Secret Invasion is currently being filmed in Leeds and Halifax. Samuel L Jackson amongst others have been seen in action. In case you weren’t aware the Rossett LRC has a large collection of Marvel comic books, graphic novels, cartoon strips etc. We also have a growing collection of Manga books as well which are rightly very popular with the students. I cannot recommend comic books enough. They are fun, entertaining, brilliantly drawn and written stories and are enjoying high sales nationally and are rightly now taken as seriously as any other kind of literature for young people and adults.
Finally a polite reminder that there is a homework club in the LRC every day from 3.10pm to 4.15pm. Naturally students are welcome to come if they would just like to read quietly, draw or write.
Mr Asker
Learning Resource Centre Administrator
Current Vacancies - Invigilators Required
School Age Immunisation Service: Covid Vaccinations
Congratulations to...
- Our Year 10/11 Boys' Rugby Team following their excellent performance with a win against St John Fisher 20-10. There were brilliant tries from Freddie Robinson, Luke Allen, Lloyd Williams and Andy Nedopil.
Community Notices
- Harrogate Clothes Bank: This excellent local charity stocks a range of clothes for adults, children (including some items of uniform) and babies. They have notified us that they have recently relocated to Hornbeam Park, to the Disability Action building. Further information is available from their website here.
What's happening this term...
Friday 18 February
- School closes for Half Term break.
H Woodcock
Headteacher
