Rossett News Update - 29 November 2019

Presentation Evening

Last night we celebrated the success of our last year's Year 11 students at our annual Presentation Evening.  Our guest speaker,  Steve Russell who is Chief Executive of the Harrogate and District NHS Trust, presented certificates to all students and awards and trophies to our subject and special awards winners.  Mr Russell spoke eloquently of his own school days and how education had been the key that had unlocked his potential and led to his current position as CEO.

Our Year 12 musicians, 'The Renegade' performed a rock number from their repertoire and Jai Sagoo performed Claire de Lune on the piano. Head Boy (Jamie Hart) and Head Girl (Holly Higlett) closed the evening's celebrations with particular thanks to our guest.  Well done to all of our award winners!

Mental Health Talk by inspirational former soldier

An inspirational talk by Stewart Harris and Nerys Pearce from Blesma (a charity which provides support for limbless veterans)  was the focus of the Year 8 Assembly on Wednesday. Stewart, who was a soldier in The Welsh Guards, explained his journey in the Army from the age of 17.  With tours in Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan, Stewart described his many adventures and how he was subsequently injured when a IUD exploded under his vehicle.  Stewart now tours the country speaking about his experiences to raise awareness of mental health issues, and he is also a fundraiser for The Soldiers Charity.  Students were given the opportunity to ask Stewart questions and they impressed him with their mature approach.  Nerys then asked them to reflect on their own mental health and what makes them anxious or worried, before recommending some basic coping strategies.

Harrogate Mayor Visits Rossett

Community First Aid Responders, members of the Lions Club of Harrogate and the Mayor and Mayoress of Harrogate visited our Year 9 students to congratulate them on completing their course on CPR which they did at the end of Year 8. The entourage were present to hand out the certificates to the students to signify the completion of their training. The Lions funded the project and are keen to support the school in ensuring students have the correct knowledge and training which may one day save lives. 

Senior UKMT Team Maths Challenge

This month, our Year 12 and Year 13 Mathematicians have been busy. Miki Hart (Year 13), Jamie Hart (Year 13), Katie Merckle (Year 12) and Laurie O’Brien (Year 12) represented the school in the Senior UKMT Team Maths Challenge Regional Finals 2019 at Fulford School. They performed admirably and were neck and neck with the top three schools up until the final round.  They worked well as a team and did our Mathematics Department proud.

The Year 12 and Year 13 students also sat the Individual UKMT Mathematics and achieved the following:

Gold certificates: Laurie O’Brien and Katie Merckel

Silver certificates: George Taylor, Ivan Shalashin

Bronze certificates: Jamie Hart, Jacob Poulton, Samuel Gilmartin, Jayven Bahia, Ryan Mosley, Matthew Rowe, Evelyn Richards, Sean Winston

Particular congratulations go to Katie Merckel and Laurie O’Brien who scored so highly that they qualified for the Senior Kangaroo round. We await their results! Finally, the Mathematics Department would like to congratulate all of our Year 13 Mathematicians that have represented the school across their seven years here at  Rossett. We wish them all the best in the future.

 

Sixth Form Information Evening - Thursday 5 December, 7.00pm

A final reminder from us that the Sixth Form Information Evening for Year 11 students and parents will be held on Thursday 5 December commencing at 7.00pm with a presentation from the Headteacher in the main hall.  This is a very important evening as the Subject Fair - which takes place in the Sixth Form Centre - will provide detailed information about the courses and enrichment opportunities on offer.  Sixth Form Ambassadors will be available during the evening and parents and students are encouraged to speak to them about their experience at Rossett.

England Football Star returns to Rossett!

Whilst on a visit back to Harrogate, ex-Rossett student and England star, Rachel Daly, returned to Rossett this morning to make use of our training facilities and meet some Year 7 footballers.  Rachel currently plays for Houston Dash in the NWSL and the English National Team.

'Lockdown' Procedure

As you are aware, we practise drills and procedures for fire and school evacuation and last year installed a new separate klaxon system to ensure that any 'lockdown' procedure is distinct from our fire procedures: essentially fire evacuation explains how to get everyone out safely; lockdown keeps everyone in, and minimises exposure to any external threat.  Our initial letter sent out in January can be found here.

I would like to inform you that we will be having an unannounced 'lockdown' practice drill for students during next week. 

Parking, drop-off and collection of students

We would like to remind you to park with consideration to our neighbours when collecting and dropping off your children.  Congestion in the locality is an increasing problem and we are concerned for the safety of our students.  Please also remember to turn off your engine whilst waiting to minimise the risk of pollution to pedestrians passing by.  Thank you for your support.

Examination Invigilators Required

We are looking for additional examination  invigilators to join our team for the external examinations next summer (between May and July 2020).  Training will be given. Exams commence at 9.30am and 1.15pm each day and invigilators are expected to attend 15 minutes prior to the start of each examination.  Invigilators may occasionally be asked to report earlier to help with the setting up of our larger examinations.

If you think you may be interested in this type of role please call 01423 564444 and ask to speak to Mrs Jones (Exams Officer).

PTA Fundraising

If you’re shopping the Black Friday sales, please remember to use easyfundraising! Over 4,000 shops and sites will donate to Rossett School, Harrogate for FREE when you use easyfundraising to shop with them. This means you can raise donations for us no matter what you’re buying – whether that’s gadgets, electrical items, games consoles, toys, clothes, gifts or anything else!

These donations make a BIG difference to us and don’t cost you anything extra, so please keep us in mind while you’re grabbing a bargain.

For great deals and offers, visit: https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/rossettschoolharrogate/?utm_campaign=raise-more

 

Congratulations to...

• The Year 8 Girls' Hockey Team (B) who won against Harrogate Grammar School 6-0 and the (A) Team who drew 2-2;
• The U16 Boys' Football Team who won against Macmillan Academy 1-0 and progressed to the last 16 of their National Cup;
• The Year 7 Girls' Football Team who won against Queen Ethelburga's School 2-1;
• The U15 Girls' Netball Team who won against St. John Fisher 19-9;
• Ex-Rossett student, Chloe Bellerby, who won 'Coaches' Player of the Year' at Sussex College, New Jersey USA.

What's happening next week...

Monday 2 December 2019

• Mock examinations continue for Year 11 students (and some Year 10 students).

Tuesday 3 December 2019

• Governors' Resources Committee Meeting, 6.30pm.

Thursday 5 December 2019

• Sixth Form Information Evening and Subject Fair: Main Hall, 7pm.

H Woodcock

Headteacher